ProPresenter Training
Level 1 – Introduction to ProPresenter
Goal: "I can confidently run a service."
What is ProPresenter?
ProPresenter is presentation software designed specifically for churches and live events. It allows us to display lyrics, scripture, sermon notes, announcements, images, videos, and other media on screens throughout the building.
Unlike PowerPoint, ProPresenter is built for live production. It allows us to change slides instantly, control multiple screens, trigger media automatically, and make changes during a service without interrupting the audience.
At Grace, ProPresenter is our communication tool. Every lyric, scripture, announcement, and image people see comes through ProPresenter.
Basic Vocabulary
- Library (stores all songs)
- Playlist (worship liturgy)
- Presentation (Cavas)
- Slide (holds images, lyrics, videos, pictures)
- Theme (font size, background, format)
- Look (what screen does ProPresenter reference)
- Different LOOKs or Screens
- Audience Screen
- Stage Display
- Stream
- Hallway
- Media Bin (moving or still background)
- Macro (a series of actions given to slides to performance a function)
The Interface
Teach the major areas.
Left
- Library
- Playlists
Center
- Current Presentation or Canvas
Right
- Screens
- Macros
- Announcement
- Music
- Timers
Top
- Menus
- Toolbar
Bottom
- Video Preview (when selected)
What You'll Do Every Sunday
- Identify Sermon or Service Playlist
- The liturgies are held here
- Check announcements
- (check and remove outdated slides)
- Check scripture (add Clear All at the beginning, apply appropriate scripture Macro)
- Check songs (add Clear All at the beginning, apple appropriate song Macro)
- Play Looping announcements before service (these slides tell the congregation about important up and coming events at Grace.)
- Start Grace Intro Bumper (the bumper is our video that signifies the start of service. It last only 23 secs but start at 8:30AM and 10AM)
- Screen is blank as Worship Host welcomes everyone to Grace.
- Worship Pastor begins the song portion of service and he or she will end with prayer signaling the end of time.
Running a Song
- Select song - (1st step click blank slide before the title) This helps the worship leader see the title of the song in the Confidence Monitor
- Display Title - (2nd display the title of the song) Display the title of the song when the worship leader begins to play a musical intro and/or starts to minister the song with words. Lyrics are not shown until the song leader sings.
- Watch worship leader A worship leaders actions help guide you as you select the title, or begin lyrics. Watching the worship leader also helps you hear directions
- Advance slides (with songs a tech leads and follows, with speaker tech follows only)
- Stay ahead of the congregation (third word out is the rule to advance a slide)
5. The Message begins with the Pastor or Guest Preacher greeting the congregation and or praying for his/her time.
Running Scripture
- Wait until the pastor asks.
- Reveal only what he requests.
- Leave scripture on the screen while he explains it.
- Don't remove scripture simply because he stopped reading.
- The slide serves both the pastor and the congregation.
Presentations
- Advance only when the presenter asks.
- Never assume.
- Never guess.
Images
- Display (learn the difference Marco’s that display different screens)
- Clear
Videos
- Play
- Pause
- Replay if needed
Common Mistakes
- Changing slides too early
- Changing slides too late
- Clearing scripture too quickly
- Looking at the keyboard instead of the speaker
- Panicking
Level 2 – How Grace Uses ProPresenter
This becomes your church-specific training.
Topics:
Title’s
Pictures
Our workflow
Our expectations
Our timing
Communication between worship leader and slide tech
The "3rd line from the end" lyric cue
Pastor cueing
How we reveal scripture
Why we linger
Consistency over preference
Brand consistency
Slide order
How we use announcements
Why macros matter
Level 3 – Themes
What is a Theme?
A Theme changes the design of a slide.
Examples
Song Theme
Scripture Theme
Announcement Theme
Image Theme
Teaching Theme
How Themes save time
Applying Themes
Updating Themes
Level 4 – Looks
This is where most churches confuse people.
A Theme changes what a slide looks like.
A Look changes where that themed slide appears.
For example:
Same song...
Main Screens
Lobby TV
Livestream
Stage Display
Confidence Monitor
One Theme
Multiple Looks
Level 5 – Macros
This is where ProPresenter becomes powerful.
Explain:
A Macro is a recorded sequence of actions.
Instead of doing ten clicks...
One button does them all.
Examples:
Song Macro
Turns lyric screen on
Changes lighting
Shows confidence monitor
Sends lower thirds
Starts timer
Our macros at Grace
How to apply them
When NOT to use them
Level 6 – Media Management
Images
Videos
Audio
Backgrounds
Playlists
Folders
Naming conventions
Organization
Level 7 – Building Presentations
Songs
Scripture
Sermons
Announcements
Images
Videos
Lower Thirds
Level 8 – Service Flow
Creating Playlists
Ordering service
Importing songs
Planning Center (if applicable)
Drag and drop
Last-minute edits
Level 9 – Advanced Tools
Timers
Messages
Stage Display
Audience Looks
Multiple Outputs
NDI
Alpha Key
Live Video
Capture
Props Layer
Masks
Effects
Level 10 – Troubleshooting
No output
Wrong screen
Theme missing
Video won't play
Fonts missing
Slides disappeared
Output frozen
Restart order
Emergency backup plan
Final Training
Run an entire service alone.
Songs
Announcements
Video
Scripture
Prayer
Sermon
Invitation
Closing
If they can successfully run an entire rehearsal without coaching, they're ready for Sunday.