Churches have an important opportunity and a responsibility to reach people from every background and culture. However, despite good intentions, many congregations struggle to truly connect with multilingual audiences.
The actuality is that language isn’t just about words; it’s about belonging, understanding, and feeling included. A 2024 Pew Research Center study found that nearly one in four U.S. churchgoers speaks a language other than English at home, yet fewer than 12% of churches offer regular translation or bilingual services. That percentage represents many people who want to engage in a congregation, but can’t fully participate.
So, this brings the question – what’s holding churches back? Let’s look at some common mistakes churches make when trying to reach multilingual audiences and how to fix them.
It’s not uncommon for many churches to wait until they notice a language barrier before they address it. This reactive approach can leave multilingual speakers feeling left out.
When translation isn’t integrated from the start — whether in worship lyrics, sermons, or bulletins — it sends an unintentional message that only some voices truly belong.
Fix: Make language inclusion part of your church’s mission strategy. Prepare translated materials ahead of time and test your communication flow. Do some research and figure out the most popular languages spoken outside of English in your community.
Reaching multilingual audiences isn’t just about spoken words, but it’s also about how you communicate. Body language, facial expressions, and visual aids can play a huge role in understanding and connecting.
Fix: Be intentional about visuals, gestures, and facial expressions. Use slides, graphics, and symbols that go beyond words. Smiles, a relaxed posture, and warmth go a long way in communicating God’s love.
Even the best translation system falls short if your volunteers and staff aren’t fully prepared. Churches often assign someone bilingual to “handle translation,” but without proper training and ongoing support, this can lead to mistakes or burnout.
Fix: Offer training for everyone involved in multilingual ministry, from greeters to sound technicians. Consistency and teamwork will make the message smoother and more intentional.
Translation isn’t only technical; it’s emotional. Many multilingual members tend to feel isolated or “less connected” because they can’t respond or worship in their first language. This emotional barrier can end up creating distance in the long run.
Fix: Create opportunities and ensure that every part of your service is available to multilingual speakers, not just the message. For example, if the sermon is translated, but the announcements aren’t, they could end up feeling excluded from participating in programs offered by the church.
Language should truly never be the reason someone feels disconnected from God’s Word. When churches take time to plan, prepare, and prioritize multilingual outreach, it’ll result in a more understanding, connected, and inclusive congregation.
This is where Sermon Live can help. Designed specifically for churches, Sermon Live allows you to translate sermons in real time so everyone in the congregation can experience the same message. Sermon Live is simple and convenient to use. There’s a never-changing URL and QR code for your congregation to use, so they never have to stress on Sunday morning trying to figure out where to go to access it.
With translation, it’s about creating unity through understanding.
Q: What’s the best way to start a multilingual ministry?
A: Start small, but intentional. You could begin with translated bulletins or key sermon notes, then expand into live translation.
Q: Do we need professional translators for church services?
A: Not necessarily. Volunteers with strong language skills and training can handle most services. If you don’t have any volunteers, a translation tool like Sermon Live is an excellent one to use.
Q: How do we measure if our multilingual outreach is working?
A: Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback! Create connection cards or surveys in multiple languages. Genuine input from your congregation will allow you to see what’s working and what you need to improve on.
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