The Evolution of ProPresenter

ProPresenter has become a staple in church media production over the past two decades. As churches have embraced technology and creative visual elements in their services, ProPresenter has continually evolved to meet their needs.

Let’s take a look at the origins and development of this powerful presentation software.

The Birth of ProPresenter

ProPresenter began as a side project in 1999 when Brad Weston, who had a background in computer science and multimedia, was asked to create a flexible lyrics system for Passion Conferences. What started as a simple application with 10 pre-loaded songs grew into a more robust program as Weston added features like a basic editor.

The software’s potential became clear at the Passion One Day event in 2000, where Weston experienced firsthand the impact of controlling visuals for 30,000 college students with just a laptop. This sparked further development, leading to the official launch of ProPresenter in 2005 when Weston and partners formed Renewed Vision to focus on the software full-time.

Key Milestones in ProPresenter’s Evolution

Over the years, ProPresenter has hit several important milestones:

• Introduction of layers: Allowing video backgrounds to run continuously while lyrics change.
• Smooth cross-dissolves: Enabling seamless transitions between slides, even with motion backgrounds.
• Alpha module: Providing broadcast-quality keying for professional video production.
• Stage display: Offering customized views for on-stage personnel.

These innovations attracted larger churches and even expanded ProPresenter’s use beyond houses of worship. The software has been used in high-profile events like the Olympics, demonstrating its capabilities on a global stage.

The Latest Evolution: ProPresenter 7

The most recent major update, ProPresenter 7, represents a significant leap forward. Key improvements include:

• Enhanced multi-screen capabilities: Allowing for more flexible output options without requiring additional hardware.
• Redesigned user interface: Featuring a darker, more streamlined look to highlight content.
• Improved search functionality: Making it easier to find and access media quickly.
• Cross-platform improvements: Bringing the Windows version up to par with its Mac counterpart.

The driving force behind these changes was the desire to provide churches with even more creative flexibility while maintaining ease of use. The new multi-screen capabilities, for example, allow for separate stage displays, teaching screens, and lyric banners – all from a single machine.

The Impact on Church Media

ProPresenter’s evolution mirrors the changing landscape of church media production. As churches have embraced more dynamic and visually engaging worship experiences, the software has adapted to meet those needs. 

From simple lyric displays to complex multi-screen setups with broadcast-quality video, ProPresenter has grown alongside the church tech community.

This growth has also expanded beyond traditional church settings. The software’s capabilities have made it suitable for use in a variety of environments, from small community churches to large stadiums, and even broadcast news stations and theme parks.

As we look to the future of church media production, one thing is clear: the role of visual elements in worship is only going to grow. With tools like ProPresenter continuing to evolve and improve, churches have more opportunities than ever to creatively and effectively communicate the Gospel message.

For those new to ProPresenter or looking to enhance their skills, Church Visuals offers a free course called “ProPresenter 101: Learning the Basics.” Led by instructor Steve Dirks, this free course covers the basics of ProPresenter 7, guiding users through the software’s innovative features that have revolutionized lyric and visual presentations in worship settings.