Church Service Rundown Template (Free Download)

Download the template (CSV)

Import the CSV into your spreadsheet or rundown tool and customize the rows to match your plan.

Download: Church Service Rundown (CSV)

Columns: Segment Name, Talent, Duration, GFX, Video, Music, Script. Includes header rows that mark sections like “Top of Show,” “Announcements,” “Sermon/Talk,” “Response,” and “Closing.”

What’s inside the template

• Section headers: visual anchors that keep the whole team oriented.
• Top of Show: pre-service loop, countdown, welcome, early songs, smooth transitions.
• Announcements: slides, video message, volunteer highlight, offering.
• Sermon/Talk: intro, multi-part message with slides, optional illustration video, quote/scripture slide.
• Response: reflective song, quiet moment, second song to lift the room.
• Closing: remarks, finale song, farewell, post-service loop.

How to use the CSV in your workflow

Option A — Spreadsheets (fast start)

1. Import the CSV into your spreadsheet app.
2. Duplicate musical or message blocks as needed; update Talent and Duration.
3. Fill GFX/Video/Music with specific filenames and slide titles.
4. Share a viewer-only link with band, speakers, and AV.

Option B — Rundown software (recommended)

1. Import the CSV to enable live multiuser editing (producer, AV, music director).
2. Attach assets to each row (lower-thirds, slides, videos, stems/tracks).
3. Track timing in rehearsal and mark trims/buffers to protect your end time.
4. Share a read-only viewer link so anyone can follow along without an account.

Structure overview (at a glance)

• Top of Show: Pre-service loop → Countdown → Welcome → Song 1 → Song 2 → Transition.
• Announcements: Slides → Video message → Volunteer highlight → Offering.
• Sermon/Talk: Intro → Part 1 → Illustration video → Part 2 → Quote/Scripture → Part 3.
• Response: Song 1 → Reflection → Song 2.
• Closing: Remarks → Finale song → Farewell → Post-service loop.

Tip: keep section headers as stand-alone rows (only “Segment Name” filled). They’re easy to spot under show pressure.

Timing & roles: stay on schedule

• Set TRT: define total running time; back into durations for each block.
• Buffers: place 15–30s buffers after major moments (songs, message parts) to absorb drift.
• Ownership: assign a Showcaller (producer or MD) who watches over/under and calls cues.
• Role clarity: specify who executes each cue (Camera/TD, GFX, Video, Audio, Band Lead, Speaker).

Customize it for your context

• Music-heavy service: add songs and extend response; shorten announcements.
• Teaching-heavy service: add “Message Part 4: Application/Prayer” and reduce music segments.
• Multi-campus/online: add “Live/Simulcast markers,” “Camera notes,” and “Stream-only elements.”
• Seasonal events: create a block for specials (choir piece, kids element, testimony, video).

Best practices for a smooth Sunday

• One source of truth: don’t pass around PDFs/screenshots that go stale.
• Attach assets to rows: video filenames, slide deck names, lower-third text.
• Protect critical rows: lock countdown/welcome/transition items to prevent accidental edits.
• Rehearse transitions: practice tosses (Host → Band → Speaker) and slide timing.
• Define change protocol: who can edit live, who approves, who communicates changes on comms.

Common pitfalls (and quick fixes)

• Version chaos: switch to a single, shared rundown link.
• Missed lower-thirds: store names/titles directly in the GFX column and rehearse.
• Running long: pre-decide what to trim (typically announcements or message transitions).
• Asset confusion: standardize filenames and keep them in the rundown row that uses them.

Quick start checklist

• Import the CSV and rename for date/service.
• Fill Talent, Duration, and all GFX/Video/Music fields.
• Share a viewer link with band, speakers, AV, and leadership.
• Run a quick rehearsal focusing on cues and transitions.
• Lock critical rows and note your shave plan if timing slips.