Getting Started with MakeChurchEazy
MakeChurchEazy is a unified church presentation and live-production workspace. It replaces clunky legacy software with a high-speed engine that connects your media desk directly to in-person projectors, OBS Studio livestreams, and mobile stage monitors with zero latency.
System Architecture & Overview
Traditional church software requires duplicating work: one operator clicks slides in presentation software, while another tries to match lower thirds or scenes inside OBS Studio. MakeChurchEazy combines these into a single authoritative pipeline.
| Component | Target Hardware | Primary Function | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop App | Windows 10/11, macOS | Media operator dock, instant scripture lookup, song library | < 5ms (Local) |
| OBS Browser Source | Broadcast PC / OBS Studio | Transparent animated lower-thirds, lyrics overlay, scripture overlay | 0ms (Direct CEF) |
| Projector Output | Secondary HDMI / DisplayPort | Full-screen in-house church congregation display | Hardware V-Sync |
| Mobile Controller | iPad, iPhone, Android | Wireless remote from pulpit, choir stand, or sound booth | WebSocket Realtime |
Install & Pair MakeChurchEazy Desktop App
The desktop app runs locally on your church laptop. It provides offline-first reliability, ensuring that even if your church internet disconnects on Sunday morning, Bible verses, downloaded hymns, and local presentation graphics never stop working.
- Download the latest release for your platform from the Downloads Portal (Windows 64-bit installer or macOS Apple Silicon/Intel DMG).
- Launch the installer and open MakeChurchEazy.
- Sign in with your MakeChurchEazy church credentials. If you prefer to pair a new device, click Pair Device and enter your 6-digit sync code or scan the QR code.
Connect to OBS Studio (Browser Source)
Integrating with OBS Studio takes less than 60 seconds. You do not need virtual cameras, NDI plugins, or screen captures. MakeChurchEazy renders directly as an accelerated Browser Source.
- In OBS, click + under Sources and select Browser.
- Name the source:
MakeChurchEazy Overlay. - Set URL to your local overlay URL or cloud presentation link:
http://localhost:3004/overlay
- Set Width to
1920. - Set Height to
1080. - Set FPS to
60(or matching your canvas). - Paste the following in Custom CSS to guarantee 100% transparent alpha:
body { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); margin: 0px auto; overflow: hidden; }Instant Scripture & Bible Engine
During live sermons, pastors frequently cite verses without warning. MakeChurchEazy includes a natural-language scripture parser that locates verses in milliseconds as the preacher speaks.
Type shortcuts like Jn 3:16, Ps 23 1-4, or 1 Cor 13. The engine automatically expands and formats the verse cards instantly.
Select two translations (e.g. KJV and AMP) to project them side-by-side or stacked on the in-house screen, clarifying nuanced biblical passages for the congregation.
Enter to preview, Spacebar to take Live, and Esc or F12 to immediately clear the output to black.Worship Songs, EasyWorship Import & Hymnals
Switching to a new presentation system often poses the pain of migrating hundreds of church worship songs. MakeChurchEazy includes a native 1-Click EasyWorship Importer and pre-bundled denominational hymnals (including Celestial Church of Christ CCC Hymns).
Go to Worship Tab ➔ Import Songs ➔ EasyWorship (.db). Select your EasyWorship database file located at:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Softouch\EasyWorship\Default\Databases\Data\Songs.db
All song titles, author metadata, verses, and choruses are automatically parsed, cleaned, and indexed in your local search library.
Animated Lower-Thirds & Production Themes
Enhance your broadcast stream with broadcast-grade lower-thirds for preaching pastors, guest ministers, worship leaders, and church announcements.
Mobile Remote Control & Stage Confidence Monitor
No need to remain anchored to the media booth. Operators or pastoral staff can advance slides, switch verses, or monitor presentation status wirelessly from an iPad or smartphone.
- In MakeChurchEazy, open Devices ➔ Pair Mobile.
- Scan the displayed QR code with your phone camera or visit
makechurcheazy.com/devices. - Your phone transforms into a low-latency touch controller with large Next/Previous buttons and live search.
- For choir stands, open the dedicated Confidence Monitor view to show current lyric line, upcoming stanza, and service countdown timer.
Platform Comparison Matrix
See how MakeChurchEazy compares with traditional legacy software:
| Capability | Legacy Software (EasyWorship / ProPresenter) | MakeChurchEazy |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio Integration | Requires NDI, virtual cameras, or second capture PC | Native 0ms Browser Source |
| Scripture Search Speed | Hierarchical book/chapter click dropdowns | Instant natural-language typing |
| Mobile / Tablet Remote | Paid add-on or restricted companion apps | Built-in web controller via QR code |
| EasyWorship Migration | Manual copy/paste or expensive format converters | 1-Click direct .db import |
| Cloud Backup & Team Sync | Files saved on a single local hard drive | Automatic cloud backup & multi-device sync |
Sunday Morning 5-Minute Checklist
Troubleshooting & Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the OBS Browser Source have a black box instead of transparency?
In OBS Studio, right-click your Browser Source ➔ Properties. Ensure the Custom CSS field includes body { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); margin: 0px auto; overflow: hidden; } and uncheck "Shutdown source when not visible".
Can we operate MakeChurchEazy if the church Wi-Fi fails?
Yes. The desktop application has full offline persistence. All scriptures, hymns, and media caches run directly on localhost without requiring an active internet connection.
How do we output different content to the in-house projector vs the livestream?
In the Output Routing Settings, toggle "Full-Screen Congregation Mode" for the HDMI Projector and "Lower-Third Overlay Mode" for the OBS Browser Source. This displays readable full-screen slides on the wall while keeping your stream camera visible.