How To Make Your Sermon Work For Bilingual Speaking Visitors

One of the most unifying places to go is church; however, if your congregation is bilingual, this can be challenging. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 21.6% of people in the US speak a language other than English at home. That’s 1 in every 5 adults, and Spanish is one of the top languages on the list. Approximately 42 million people in the U.S. speak Spanish at home. This means that it’s the second most spoken language in the country.

When Spanish-speaking or other bilingual visitors walk into a church service that only caters to one language, it can make them feel out of place or isolated. This is the complete opposite of how your members should feel in your church. Instead, they should feel welcomed, connected, and ready to strengthen their faith. 

Below, we’ll explore how you can make your sermon work for bilingual speaking visitors.

The Challenges Bilingual Speaking Churchgoers Face

For bilingual speaking visitors, attending church can bring unique struggles. Some of the challenges include:

  • Language gaps during sermons – Even if bilingual churchgoers understand English, idioms or scripture interpretations can get lost in translation.

     

  • Disconnection – When songs, prayers, and scripture readings aren’t offered in Spanish or their primary language, they may feel a disconnect. They also may not feel like a member of the church, but instead, an observer.

     

  • Generational language preferences – Many bilingual families have their own preferences. While the children may prefer English, the parents or grandparents may feel more comfortable with another language, like Spanish. The entire family should be able to fully understand the message and feel included.

Why Bilingual Speaking Visitors Need a Tool Like Sermon Live

To bridge the language gap, it’s recommended that you use a language tool during your service, like Sermon Live. Sermon Live is a live sermon translation tool that brings inclusivity in an easy and convenient way. There are over 30+ languages you can translate your sermon to, and there’s only a 2-3 second delay. This means that the translation will be accurate and in real time. This is the perfect way to ensure that everyone in your congregation feels included. This tool could strengthen the bond with your congregation and attract others who are bilingual to check out your service.

How To Make Your Sermon Work For Bilingual Speaking Visitors

Ready to open your doors wider? Here are practical steps to make your sermons work for bilingual speaking visitors:

Step #1

To get started, you’ll start on your Sermon Live dashboard. Click on the“Language set-up” button on the left and follow the setup instructions. Choose a plan that best suits your needs. 

Step #2

Next, you’ll choose the language/languages you would like your sermon translated into. Don’t be afraid to survey your members or check local demographics to know which language you should translate to. English-Spanish is the most common bilingual combination in U.S. churches, but your area may also need a different language, like French. 

Step #3

Select the tone and accent you want your AI voice to have. Make sure you go through the options and listen to them. This will help you decide the tone and accent that you would prefer your message to be conveyed in. 

Step #4

Click on “Set up Stream”. You’ll choose how you want to stream. The recommended way is “Direct Input”. Once you’re ready, hit “continue”. 

Step #5

When you’re ready to begin your stream, click on “Start Streaming”. 

Step #6

There will be a unique URL that your audience can access that will never change. This means every week, they can head over to the same URL instead of going through the trouble of trying to find the new website every Sunday. There will also be a QR code that they can easily scan if they prefer to access it that way.

Final Thoughts

When almost a quarter of adults speak more than one language at home, bilingual accessibility should be essential for any church that wants to grow and connect. 

When bilingual visitors walk into your church, they bring with them not just another language but new families, perspectives, and opportunities to grow. Making your sermons accessible with tools like Sermon Live will not only translate words, but it’ll translate your message into lives that need it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bilingual Church Services

Q: Do I need to offer my church bilingual sermons?

A: While it’s not a requirement, it should still be a necessity. It helps your church become more inclusive and welcoming to visitors who speak both English and Spanish (or other languages). 

Q: How can I make my church more bilingual-friendly?

A: To begin, we recommend that you identify the languages that are most common in your congregation. Then you can utilize tools like Sermon Live to provide real-time sermon translation.

Q: Do bilingual church services really help church growth?

A: Yes! By offering a way to accommodate those who English isn’t their first language, it can increase attendance and engagement. 

Q: Can Sermon Live translate more than just Spanish?

A: Yes! While English-Spanish is one of the most common combinations in U.S. churches, Sermon Live supports multiple languages. 

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