What Belongs on Your Church’s Streaming Homepage?

Q: Can we include old sermons on our homepage?

Yes. A well-organized archive or 'recent messages' section allows members to catch up or rewatch past teachings. Just keep the design clean and easy to navigate.

Your church's streaming homepage isn't just a place to click "play", it's a digital front porch for your ministry. Whether someone missed Sunday service, is new to your church, or just wants to rewatch a teaching, the homepage is often the first thing they’ll see.

A well-structured page not only makes it easy to find the latest content, it also reflects your church’s personality, message, and mission. Here’s what every church should consider including on their streaming homepage to welcome viewers and encourage deeper engagement.

Latest Sermon or Featured Video

The latest sermon should be front and center. Whether it’s a livestream or a recorded message, viewers want easy access to the newest content. A strong title and clear thumbnail go a long way. Bonus points if you include a short description or Scripture reference so people know what it’s about before they click.

Auto-feature the most recent upload or livestream
Include the title, date, and a short summary
Make it playable without needing to navigate away

Content Categories or Playlists

Organize your content in a way that makes sense to your congregation. Consider playlists by sermon series, speaker, event type, or ministry (youth, women, midweek). This helps people quickly find the topics or messages they’re looking for and encourages binge-style engagement.

Create playlists for series, topical teachings, or guest speakers
Include thumbnails, titles, and duration for each video
Keep your categories up to date and easy to browse

Welcome Message or Mission Statement

Not everyone visiting your homepage knows your church. A short welcome message, either as a video or a written note, helps people feel invited in. Use it to share your church’s heart, what you believe, and what people can expect from your online content.

Keep it short, warm, and personal
Optional: include a short video from your pastor
Link to your “About” or “New Here?” page for more info

Additional Features to Consider

Once the essentials are in place, you can deepen engagement by adding helpful extras that serve your members and make your digital ministry more effective.

🗓️

Upcoming Livestream Schedule: Let viewers know when they can tune in live. A simple banner or event calendar can reduce confusion and increase participation. Include time zones, links, and whether the stream will be available for replay afterward. If your schedule is consistent (e.g., Sundays at 10 AM), make that clear upfront so people know what to expect each week.

📥

Download or Share Options: Make it easy for people to download sermon notes, devotional guides, or share the video on social media. Clear download links or share buttons not only improve usability, they help your church’s message reach further organically through your community.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Sections for Families or Ministries: Families may be looking for children’s devotionals. Young adults might prefer a Bible Q&A or topical teaching. Offering clearly labeled sections based on ministry groups helps people engage with content relevant to their stage of life or interest, and shows your church cares about each segment of the body.

✝️

Prayer or Connection Form: Streaming can feel one-sided. Adding a prayer request or connect form invites viewers to respond. They might not be in the sanctuary, but they’re still part of your church family. Make it easy for them to reach out with a question, a prayer need, or interest in joining a group or event.

Frequently Asked Questions

At least weekly. Make sure the latest sermon is featured and any upcoming livestream info is accurate. Fresh content encourages regular engagement.

Yes. A well-organized archive or “recent messages” section allows members to catch up or rewatch past teachings. Just keep the design clean and easy to navigate.

Clarity and simplicity. Highlight your latest video, make navigation easy, and include a personal touch from your church. Avoid clutter and keep the focus on the Gospel.