If you pour your heart into Sunday preaching, the work should not end when the livestream ends. The Post Sunday Playbook turns one sermon into a week of meaningful touchpoints across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, email, podcasts, and your church app. This guide shows how to repurpose sermons with Sermon Shots and Opus Clip, using practical steps, templates, and workflows that fit a real church calendar. Along the way, we will weave in tools many churches already use, like Ebenezer Church’s content rhythm, Sermon AI assistants, and subtitle tools like Subslash, to help you scale without burning out.
[Image: Photo of a pastor recording a sermon with a camera and a laptop open showing clip timelines. Alt: Pastor preparing to repurpose sermons into short clips]
Why a Post Sunday Playbook matters for small and mid-sized churches
The Post Sunday Playbook is your plan for turning long-form preaching into short-form discipleship and outreach. For most churches, engagement spikes on Sunday, then drops. Repurposing keeps the message alive Monday through Saturday.
- Attention spans are short. Reels, Shorts, and TikToks reach people who will never watch 40 minutes straight, yet they will watch three 45-second clips this week. Algorithms reward consistency. Posting 3 to 7 times per week increases reach. In one midsized church I worked with, weekly reach on Instagram rose 210 percent in eight weeks by posting 5 clips and 2 carousels per week drawn from the same sermon. Staff time is limited. Automations and smart editing with Sermon Shots and Opus Clip give you 80 percent of the result in 20 percent of the time.
[Image: Timeline graphic showing Sunday to Saturday content rollout. Alt: Weekly content calendar based on one sermon]
The core tools: Sermon Shots, Opus Clip, and simple add-ons
Sermon Shots and Opus Clip solve two different problems, and together they cover most of your workflow.
- Sermon Shots: Built for faith communities. It identifies quotable moments, auto-generates captions, and formats videos for platforms. It shines for speed, branding with scripture lower thirds, and push-button exports in 9:16, 1:1, and 16:9. Opus Clip: Known for AI clipping from long videos. It detects viral hooks, adds dynamic layouts, and scores segments for social shareability. It is particularly strong for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and quick experimentation. Subslash or similar subtitle tools: When accuracy and style matter, a dedicated subtitle tool lets you refine punctuation, add colored emphasis on keywords, and ensure accessibility. Sermon AI assistants: Draft descriptions, titles, and social copy from your sermon transcript. Keep a style guide so the AI matches your voice rather than generic phrasing.
External references if you want to explore feature sets:
- YouTube’s official Shorts best practices detail aspect ratio, duration, and metadata recommendations: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/11407897 Instagram’s Reels tips from Meta for creators on hooks, captions, and cover images: https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1695978210700149 W3C guidance on accessible captions for video if you serve hearing-impaired viewers: https://www.w3.org/WAI/media/av/captions/
[Image: Screenshot showing sermon clip editor interface with auto captions and multiple aspect ratios. Alt: Sermon clipping tool with 9:16 export]
A simple Post Sunday Playbook you can implement this week
This is a tested sequence I have used with churches between 200 and 2,000 in weekly attendance. Adjust counts to your capacity.
- Sunday afternoon Trim the sermon, export a full 16:9 recording, and upload to YouTube with chapters. Export the audio to your podcast feed with a 1 to 2 sentence description and key points. Monday Load the full video into Opus Clip. Generate 8 to 15 candidate clips. Sort by relevance, theology accuracy, and clarity, not just the AI score. In Sermon Shots, import the same video or the Opus-selected segments. Apply your sermon series brand, scripture references, and captions. Tuesday to Saturday Post 3 to 5 shorts or reels across platforms. Aim for one clip per day, prioritize the ones with strong hooks. Publish one carousel or quote graphic midweek summarizing the sermon’s big idea. Use email or your app to send a “Midweek Minute,” embedding one clip and one reflection question.
This cadence typically means one sermon becomes:
- 1 full YouTube upload 1 podcast episode 4 to 7 clips for Shorts, Reels, TikTok 1 to 2 quote graphics 1 email or app push 1 blog summary on your site with embedded clips
[Image: Sample weekly content calendar with checkboxes for each platform. Alt: Checklist for sermon repurposing tasks]
How to use Sermon Shots step by step
Sermon Shots is tuned for church content, so start here if your team is newer to video editing.
1) Prepare the source
- Record at 1080p minimum, 24 or 30 fps. Clean audio matters more than 4K video. Export a mastered MP4 or MOV with consistent audio levels.
2) Import and auto-generate
- Upload the full sermon. Use the auto-detect feature to find 30 to 90 second highlights. Let captions generate. Check theological names and scripture references, then fix punctuation.
3) Brand and format
- Apply your series template: title, date, and a lower-third that shows the scripture. Export in two or three aspect ratios: 9:16 for Reels, Shorts, TikTok 1:1 for the Instagram grid 16:9 for YouTube or Facebook
4) Hook and CTA overlay
- Add a 2 to 3 word hook on the first frame: “Stop carrying this,” “Grace for doubters,” “When God is silent.” End screen: “Full message on YouTube” or “Join us Sunday, 9 and 11.”
5) Quality pass
- Watch on mute to confirm captions alone carry the message. Verify total length under 60 seconds for Reels and Shorts. TikTok allows longer, but keep it punchy.
Tip: if a clip has multi-part thought arcs, split it into a 2-part series, label the second one “Part 2,” and post it 24 hours later to keep anticipation.
[Image: Before-and-after clip with branded captions and scripture lower third. Alt: Branded sermon clip with readable captions]
How to use Opus Clip for high-performing shorts
Opus Clip excels at finding the moments that work on short-form platforms.
1) Upload and generate
- Feed the full sermon or your trimmed master. Let Opus create 10 to 20 clips. It will score each clip’s viral potential based on hook strength, pacing, and content.
2) Evaluate with discernment
- The highest score is not always the most faithful to your message. Choose clips that stand alone without context and do not distort your theology. Use the editor to adjust jump cuts, remove silences, and trim filler words.
3) Optimize for platforms
- Add dynamic captions with emphasis on keywords. Highlight one theological term or scripture reference per clip. For YouTube Shorts, include the sermon series keyword in the title and two or three relevant hashtags. For Instagram, place the key phrase in the first 80 characters and keep hashtags to 3 to 5.
4) Export and schedule
- Export 9:16 by default, then duplicate in 1:1 if needed for your grid. Batch schedule posts across 5 days. Avoid posting two clips back to back within the same hour on a single platform.
[Image: Opus Clip interface showing clip scores and timeline. Alt: AI clipping tool ranking sermon highlights]
Hook lines that stop the scroll
Clips rise or fall on the first three seconds. Keep hooks human and grounded, not clickbait.
- “If you feel like prayer is bouncing off the ceiling, hear this.” “This verse saved my marriage in 2008.” “What Jesus did not say about anxiety matters here.” “You do not need more faith, you need this habit.” “I used to teach this wrong. Here is what changed.”
Pair a hook with a quick cut to your face and the first key sentence. Avoid cold starts like “Good morning church” or long context setups.
Caption accuracy and accessibility with Subslash
Auto captions are better than silence, but not always accurate. Subslash and similar tools make your words readable and on-brand.
- Punctuation and pace: Fix run-on sentences. Insert line breaks every 5 to 7 words for readability. Emphasis: Use color to highlight one or two keywords, not every line. For example, highlight “forgiveness” or the scripture reference. Accessibility: Add alt text when embedding clips on your website. Keep caption font at least 42 to 56 px in 1080x1920 exports so it is legible on small screens.
For guidance on caption standards, W3C’s accessible media documentation is a solid reference.
[Image: Caption editor with color emphasis on keywords. Alt: Subtitle tool refining sermon clip captions]
Titles, descriptions, and Sermon AI without losing your voice
Sermon AI assistants can draft titles, descriptions, and social copy from your transcript. Use them to accelerate, not replace, your pastoral voice.
- Provide a one-paragraph summary of the sermon’s aim. Include the main scripture, the tension, and the resolution. Give the AI a style guide: voice tone, banned phrases, and brand vocabulary. For example, prefer “neighbors” to “audience,” and avoid clichés. Always human-edit. Theologically nuanced statements need your eyes. Remove generic lines and add one specific that only you would say, such as “I first preached this text in 2015 after our church flood.”
Title patterns that perform without bait:
- “When God Seems Silent: Learning to Wait in Psalm 13” “Why Forgiveness Feels Impossible Until You Try This Practice” “Doubt Is Not the Enemy: Thomas and the Wounds of Jesus”
Platform-specific posting guidelines that actually matter
You do not need to master every platform, but a few native behaviors drive results.
- YouTube Shorts 15 to 60 seconds, 9:16. Title the clip like a mini-sermon line. Avoid all caps. Use 2 to 3 hashtags. Add a pinned comment linking to the full sermon. Instagram Reels Prioritize the first frame. Add a still thumbnail with readable text. Keep captions on, music optional. Post to both Reels and the grid for reach. TikTok Storytelling wins. Aim for 30 to 45 seconds with one clear takeaway. Reply to comments with a clip when possible to continue the conversation. Facebook Older audiences prefer 1:1 or 16:9. Include a short paragraph and a link to your YouTube full message.
Technical baseline:
- Codec: H.264 remains the safest cross-platform choice. H.265 can reduce file sizes but is less universally supported on older devices. Audio: Target -14 LUFS integrated loudness for consistent playback across apps, which matches guidance used by streaming platforms.
For platform specs and best practices, consult the latest guidance from YouTube and Meta’s help centers.
[Image: Side-by-side comparison of 9:16, 1:1, and 16:9 frames from the same sermon clip. Alt: Aspect ratio variations for social platforms]
Measuring impact: from vanity metrics to ministry outcomes
Vanity metrics feel good, but they do not show discipleship fruit. Track both engagement and ministry next steps.
- Short-form metrics to watch weekly Hook retention: viewers who stay past 3 seconds. Aim for 60 to 80 percent on Reels, 40 to 60 percent on Shorts. Average watch time: target 20 to 35 seconds for 45 to 60 second clips. Saves and shares: better predictors of reach than likes. Ministry signals to log monthly Prayer requests attributed to social or YouTube. First-time guest forms that discovered you through a clip. Small group sign-ups tied to the sermon series.
In one church of 600 average attendance, a 10-week Post Sunday rhythm resulted in 34 https://ebenezer.rest/ first-time guest check-ins listing “Instagram Reels” as the discovery source and a 38 percent rise in podcast downloads compared to the previous series.
Editing guardrails to protect theological integrity
AI finds engaging moments, but you are responsible for context. A few rules keep clips faithful:
- Do not clip mid-sentence where a qualifier is essential. If you say “God does not promise safety, but he promises presence,” do not cut after “safety.” Always show the scripture reference on screen if a verse is quoted. Avoid provocative hooks that misrepresent your stance. Curiosity is fine, distortion is not. If a topic is sensitive, pair the clip with a pinned comment that links to the full explanation.
[Image: Example of a clip with scripture reference lower-third and contextual description. Alt: Sermon clip maintaining context and clarity]
Team roles, even if your team is tiny
You can do this with one staff member or a volunteer squad.
- Pastor or communicator: Approves final clips, ensures theological accuracy, records intros when needed. Editor or volunteer: Runs Sermon Shots and Opus Clip, polishes captions in Subslash, exports final files. Social coordinator: Schedules posts, engages comments, tracks metrics weekly.
If you are solo, batch your work in two blocks:
- Monday 90 minutes: generate clips, choose 5, brand them. Tuesday 45 minutes: finish captions, schedule posts, write one email.
A sample 7-day content plan using one sermon
Assume a 38-minute sermon on “Learning to Wait in Psalm 13.”
- Sunday Publish full sermon on YouTube with chapters: Lament, Petition, Trust. Podcast episode with simple show notes and scripture references. Monday Clip 1: “How long, O Lord?” - framed as a permission to lament. 37 seconds. Tuesday Clip 2: “Prayer is not performance.” 29 seconds. Instagram Story: Poll asking, “Where are you waiting right now?” Wednesday Carousel: 5 slides summarizing Psalm 13 movement: Honest lament to active trust. Thursday Clip 3: “What to do when you feel nothing in prayer.” 45 seconds. Friday Clip 4: “Trust is a choice before it is a feeling.” 34 seconds. Saturday Clip 5: Invitation to Sunday with one line from the sermon and service times. Email: Midweek Minute linking to Clip 2 and the full sermon.
[Image: Grid of five vertical clip thumbnails with short titles. Alt: Weekly set of sermon clips derived from one message]
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Posting too many clips at once Spread them across the week. Back-to-back dumping reduces reach per post. Over-branding Keep lower-thirds and logos subtle. The message should lead, not the watermark. Generic captions Write two human sentences above the clip: the why and one reflection prompt. Example: “If prayer feels numb, you are not broken. Try this one-minute practice today.” Neglecting comments Respond within 24 hours. If a question repeats, record a follow-up clip answering it.
How to keep your archive working for you
Old sermons are a gold mine. Every sermon with a transcript can produce fresh clips months later, especially when cultural moments bring a topic back to the surface.
- Create a spreadsheet of series, scriptures, and top 3 takeaways. At the start of each new series, schedule two throwback clips that align with the current theme. Refresh the design so it looks current: updated fonts, captions style, and color palette.
Using a light archive rhythm, a church with two years of sermon videos can schedule three months of evergreen posts alongside current messages.
When to upgrade gear and when not to
You can succeed with entry-level gear, but two investments pay off early:
- Audio chain: A decent vocal mic, simple audio treatment on stage, and a compressor-limiter in your streaming chain. Clear speech beats flashy b-roll. Lighting: Soft frontal light reduces harsh shadows and makes captions easier to read.
Wait on:
- 4K cameras, unless you want to punch in for multi-angle looks from a single camera. Complex multi-cam setups without an operator. Better to nail one angle than mess up three.
[Image: Simple gear layout diagram with mic, light, and camera placements. Alt: Minimal video gear setup for clear sermon recordings]
Frequently asked questions about the Post Sunday Playbook
How many clips should we post per week from one sermon?
- Start with 3 to 5. Consistency beats volume. If you are seeing strong retention and still have unused highlights, add one more weekly slot.
Will posting clips cannibalize full sermon views?
- In most churches, the opposite happens. Clips act as trailers. We have seen 15 to 40 percent increases in full sermon views after consistent short-form posting for 6 to 8 weeks.
What length performs best?
- 30 to 45 seconds is a dependable range. If the idea is complex, you can push to 60 seconds on Reels and Shorts, or create a two-part series.
Should we publish on TikTok?
- If your city skews younger or you run student ministry, yes. If your team is stretched thin, master YouTube Shorts and Instagram first, then expand.
How do we handle sensitive topics in shorts?
- Include the scripture on screen, avoid sensational hooks, and pin a comment linking to the full sermon or a resource page where you explain your position in detail.
Mid-article CTA: Try a 2-week sprint with your next series
If you have never run a Post Sunday Playbook, commit to a two-week sprint using Sermon Shots for fast branding and Opus Clip for clip discovery. Start with one sermon, produce five clips, and schedule them across five days. If you want a checklist and templates, reach out for a free starter kit that includes hook lines, caption styles, and a weekly calendar.
The editorial checklist before you hit publish
- Theology: Does the clip stand alone without misrepresenting the sermon? Hook: Do the first 3 seconds make a promise or pose a question? Captions: Are they accurate, timed, and readable with emphasis? Branding: Consistent, light, and never distracting. CTA: One clear next step, not three competing links. Metadata: Platform-specific title, description, and 2 to 5 hashtags. Accessibility: Alt text on images and captions on video.
[Image: Printable checklist for sermon repurposing workflow. Alt: Editorial checklist for church content team]
Budget and time estimates for a typical month
For a church producing four sermons monthly:
- Tools Sermon Shots and Opus Clip plans vary, but budget a combined range of $40 to $120 per month depending on tiers and export volumes. Subslash or a comparable subtitle service can be pay-as-you-go if needed. Time 3 to 5 hours per week to generate, edit, caption, and schedule 5 clips plus one carousel and email. If you template your branding and hooks, you can get under 3 hours by month two.
Compared to hiring a freelance editor for every clip, churches often save 60 to 75 percent of costs with this workflow while posting more consistently.
Bringing it all together: your Post Sunday Playbook in action
Repurpose sermons with Sermon Shots and Opus Clip, and you will see a practical shift. Your best preaching moments do not vanish by Monday afternoon. They live where people spend time, connect with those who would never sit through a full message, and point them back to the full sermon, to groups, and to Sunday gathering.
Start with one sermon this week. Use Opus Clip to surface 10 potential moments, select the 5 that protect the heart of the message, and finish them in Sermon Shots with clean captions and scripture lower thirds. Post one a day, reply to comments, and watch for ministry signals, not just likes.
Final CTA: If you want help building your Post Sunday Playbook, I offer a short workshop for church teams that sets up your templates, schedules, and metrics in two sessions. You will leave with a month of content ready to post.
[Video embed: Example of repurposed sermon content on Instagram. Alt: Sermon clip posted as Instagram Reel with captions and hook]
External resources to keep handy:
- YouTube Shorts creator tips: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/11407897 Meta’s Reels creative best practices: https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1695978210700149 W3C captioning guidance: https://www.w3.org/WAI/media/av/captions/