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How to translate a church service?

Connect your congregation across language barriers

A church is a place where everyone should feel welcome, regardless of the language they speak. Today's technology makes this easier than ever.

A church is a place where everyone should feel welcome, regardless of the language they speak. Whether it's labour migrants, refugees or international guests: the message must be comprehensible to all. Today's technology makes this easier than ever, but how do you choose the format that fits your congregation?

Most churches today choose translation via the visitor's own smartphone. This is accessible and powerful, but within that choice there are different flavours.

The three options compared

1

The most popular choice: Follow along on your own mobile

Visitors scan a QR code at the entrance and see the translation appear live as text on their screen.

  • Why this is the standard: It is technically simple (no cables to the beamer required) and effortlessly supports multiple languages simultaneously.
  • The trade-off: It requires a 'phone in hand'. For some congregations this feels like a distraction, while others see it as a modern tool for connection.
2

Audio translation: Listening with earbuds

The visitor uses the smartphone only as a receiver, puts it in their pocket and listens through earbuds to the translated voice.

  • Why churches choose this: It preserves the reverence in the room. No glowing screens during the service, but the focus on the speaker while the message comes through in their own language.
  • The trade-off: Visitors need to bring their own earbuds, or the church can have simple sets available at the entrance.
3

Translation on the beamer or large screen

The translation is displayed directly on the screen at the front of the church.

  • Why churches choose this: It is a shared experience; nobody is on their own device. It is also a powerful signal of inclusivity to the entire congregation.
  • The trade-off: It is visually busy and often limited to just one additional language. Moreover, the technology in the church (the beamer system) must support this.

Which option suits your gathering?

When choosing between these options, we advise looking at the needs of the guests and the culture of the congregation:

Do you have many different nationalities? Then following along on mobile is a great way to serve everyone (from Ukrainian to Arabic) simultaneously.
Do you want to preserve the tranquillity of the service? Then promote the audio option. The phone acts as an 'invisible interpreter'.
Do you want maximum inclusivity for everyone (including the hearing impaired)? Then a combination of the beamer and following along on mobile is the strongest solution.

Why AI translation is a solution for the church

In many congregations it is difficult to find enough volunteer interpreters every Sunday. AI software provides the solution:

1
An interpreter always present: The software is available every service, even for unexpected guests.
2
Affordable for every congregation: Minimal cost per church service.
3
Inclusive: Make the service immediately accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing through live transcription.

Ready to connect your congregation?

Get in touch and discover which translation solution best fits your church service.