This page covers what is Teams, common questions, installing/getting started, how to schedule and how to join Teams meetings. Microsoft Teams can do many things, this page is simply a guide to get you started - if you have questions, please ask us!
What is Microsoft Teams and why are we using it now?
As of January 2026, after 5-years of use, we are moving away from using Zoom for our online meetings to Microsoft Teams - we have ceased the paid for subscription and will instead be using Microsoft Teams going forwards for official Church business meetings being held online.
This action does not prevent anyone, or the Church, from using Zoom for online meetings, simply that we no longer will be using the paid for option.
Quick FAQ
Q1. What is Microsoft Teams?
A1. Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform used for chat, video calls, file sharing, and team management. It is widely used by businesses, schools, charities and remote teams to stay organised and to communicate. Teams supports private messaging, video conferencing, and document collaboration across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Q2. Can I use Microsoft Teams without downloading the app?
A2. Yes, you can use Microsoft Teams in any supported browser like Edge or Chrome without installing it. Visit teams.microsoft.com or teams.cloud.microsoft to use the Web version.
Q3. Do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use Teams?
A3. No. There is a free version of Teams available that includes chat, meetings (up to 60-minutes duration), file sharing, and limited cloud storage.
For official church business meetings, a church Microsoft account should be used to set-up and schedule the meeting in order to access all the available features and longer duration meetings (up to 30-hours).
Having an official Church Microsoft 365 account will also give you 1TB of cloud storage (OneDrive) and access to other LFC internal resources, e.g. SharePoint and file sharing, and the capability to add a church phone number/line for official church use.
Q4. Can guests join a Teams meeting without a Microsoft account?
A4. Yes, guests can join meetings via the invite links and use their name to enter the meeting without signing in.
Q5. Can I join a Church Microsoft Teams meeting from my work account?
A5. Yes, you will be treated just as if you were using a personal account but you work account settings may apply – you can switch/toggle between accounts if you have more than one set-up.
Q6. Is there a video I can see on how do do things?
A7. Yes, here's a great YouTube video on how to use Teams - click/tap on THIS LINK and it will start at the section about meetings. If you have the time, watch the whole 15-minute video from the beginning as it shows the other things that Microsoft Teams can do.
Joining a Teams Meeting
The usual method will be to click/tap the link you were sent in the email with the meeting details and join the meeting.
With this link you can join the meeting without the Teams App or needing a Microsoft account by using your computer's web browser. You can also visit teams.microsoft.com or teams.cloud.microsoft to use the Web only version.
If you have the Microsoft Teams app installed (some devices such as phones/tablets may require this) you will likely need to login to a Microsoft account (personal, LFC church or work).
If you are the meeting host (i.e. you scheduled it) you can start the meeting from within Teams once you've logged in, or have it set to auto-start by anyone that joins - this requires that the meetings was scheduled with the correct options, see the Scheduling Meetings section on this page for how to do this.
Getting Started with the Microsoft Teams App
To begin using Teams, follow these steps:
- Download and install Microsoft Teams on your device. Supported devices include Windows PC, Apple Mac as well as Android & iOS based phones and tablets. If you don’t already use Teams, download and install the application for your device:
- For PC/Mac; visit teams.microsoft.com/downloads
- For iPhone/iPad; open App Store and search for Microsoft Teams.
- For Android; open Google Play Store and search for Microsoft Teams.
- Follow the get/install instructions and open the app.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account or create a free one.
- This account can be a personal, work, or a LFC church provided Microsoft account (which also includes a Church email address) – if you think you need a Church provided account, please ask.
- If you don’t have a Microsoft account, you can still join a Teams meeting without signing or a Microsoft account but you need to do this via the full meeting link!
Note: if you only have the meeting code and password you will need to sign into a microsoft account to join the meeting - its the way it is!
As you will likely have already been using Zoom, the operation is very similar and should not be difficult to adjust to using Microsoft Teams. The controls are the same but will look a little different and be in a different place from what you're used to.
Once logged in, you’ll see tabs like Activity, Chat, Teams, Calendar, and Files. You can set your status (Available, Busy, Do Not Disturb) by clicking your profile picture at the top right but only others active in Teams with a LFC Church Microsoft accounrt will see this.
Scheduling Meetings (within Teams)
The built-in Calendar helps you organize and join meetings easily. To create a meeting:
- Go to the Calendar tab
- Click New meeting
- Add a title, invite participants, set the time and date
- Make sure you set the is "Teams Meeeting" button to yes/on.
- To allow people to automatically join the meeting you will also need to change the Meeting options for:
- Meeting access > Who can bypass the lobby? to Everyone
- If you don't do this, each time someone new tries to join your meeting you'll have to let them in!
- There are other settings, have a look and see what you want/need for your meeting.
- Click Save and send out the invites
Using a Church Microsoft Account for Email & Scheduling Meetings
You you have a LFC Church Microsoft account you can use this for email and Teams in multiple ways, choose the one that suits you best:
- Online using a web browser, via outlook.office.com - you can switch between Outlook email and Teams from the "waffle" icon (3x3 dots in a square) at the top left of the page.
- Using the Microsoft Outlook app (PC or phone/tablet)
- Using the Microsoft Teams app (PC or phone/tablet)
You can also add the LFC Church Microsoft account as an additional account on you preferred device(s) - ask for help if you want to do this.
Use the Calendar to help you organise/schedule and join meetings easily. To create a meeting:
- Go to the Calendar tab
- Click New meeting and set the details (date, time, duration, Teams Meeting and options etc.) as required - note: if you don't want to have to be on the meeting make sure to set the correct options around meeting access (see above).