If you're thinking about integrating multimedia tools into your church's worship experience, or improving/upgrading your current system, you probably have many questions.

Well, you've come to the right place. Here are 10 common questions—and answers—on the subject.

1) What is integrated media and why is it so important?

John Fuqua of All Pro Sound sums up the answer very well: "Integrated media is the interactive usage of audio, video presentation and lighting systems to enhance the level of worship so the congregation becomes involved in the services. Today, everything we do involves some type of sight- or sound-oriented presentation to grab our attention."

With today's technical tools, integrating these "sight and sound" presentations into the worship experience not only enhances the service for the regular churchgoer, but also provides an exciting way to help reach seekers and visitors.

I'm often asked, "If Christ were here today, do you think he would use projectors, computers and other contemporary tools to reach his people?" My answer is yes, of course! Christ always used the contemporary tools of his time to reach people, be it drawings in the sand or other culturally relevant imagery—like shepherds and lambs, or fishermen and fish—that supported his message. That's why using today's tools is important.

"The visual medium of communication is the most valid for people who are starting to come to church today," says Josh Lyon, Sales Manager at Shepherd Ministries. "The average person walking in off the street expects to have that visual medium. We're a visual generation, and that's the way we communicate today."

2) Who can I talk to about this process?

Start by asking colleagues at other churches who have already implemented a multimedia approach. Visit other churches and observe what they're doing. Take notes on what seems to be working, and what doesn't. Ask them to share their experiences with you, good and bad.

But don't stop there. It's also a good idea to talk to Christian-based multimedia companies to get their professional advice. You can also talk with secular companies, but Christian companies will be much more able to understand your needs. They'll understand the importance of the worship experience, what it's all about.

3) We are building a new worship facility. Whom should I talk to, and when?

One of the first people you'll want to contact is an architect, so you can get your ideas down on paper. Once you've had that meeting and you're in "conceptual stage," you'll want to talk with people in the multimedia field.

"When considering new construction, one of the biggest mistakes a church can make is waiting to decide the A/V and/or lighting contractors or consultants until late in the process," says Jay Riggs of Integrated Media. "This piece of the process needs to be completed as early as possible, before the architect begins his drawing revisions. The room design, shape, and materials will severely and directly affect its ability to reproduce accurate sound. It will also determine how much, if any, acoustical treatments will need to be done to the room after construction. Since acoustical treatment is generally far more expensive than a correctly designed acoustical space, it is important to have the A/V contractor or consultant in from the beginning."

Working with a knowledgeable design consultant and/or A/V contractor/consultant will help you make this type of transition by meeting your goals while saving you time and money—not to mention a few headaches—along the way.

Additionally, you'll want a "church acoustician" to make sure the audio system performs correctly in the new facility. And yes, there is a difference between an "acoustician" and a "church acoustician." A typical acous-tician might satisfy the acoustical needs of a given space, but a church acoustician will go the extra mile to ensure use of the correct reflective and absorptive properties needed to support your predominant style of worship music. Getting a good "church acoustician" in on the planning will save you time and money.

4) How do I know I'm getting the right architect for the job?

You'll want prospective architects to address your questions regarding your goals for the project. One of your first questions will be to find out if the architect understands the term "contemporary worship." Having an architect who understands this term—or, better yet, has built a contemporary facility for a local church-—will put you miles ahead of the curve. Such an architect—they are rare, but they are out there—will understand that the facility needs to be built around these tools and not "fitted in" as an afterthought.

5) How do I know I'm getting the best design consultant or A/V contractor/systems integrator?

All Pro Sound's Fuqua advises you to "explore the track record" of your candidates, and to "be sure of their philosophy toward customer satisfaction. Check out their work. It either works and looks good or it does not. Be sure that the quality level and feature levels are understood before you sign the contract." Be sure to check references, and ask those references about the satisfaction level they achieved.

Many A/V contractors/systems integrators have personnel who can help you with the process of communicating with architects and builders, designing the A/V systems you need, and delivering the design to their integration staff. The integration staff will purchase and install the systems, and train your teams to operate the equipment correctly. Again, do your research and find someone with integrity, quality and experience with these systems, someone you are sure will serve your church well. It's a decision worth much consideration and prayer.

6) We are considering the move from a traditional style of worship to a more blended or contemporary one. Where do we start?

Shepherd Ministries' Lyon says, "That depends on the design of the church and the church congregation." He notes that some congregations have a large percentage of people who are against such changes, so "you've got to approach it delicately." Lyon thus advises starting slow—by maintaining a traditional service and adding a second service that's more contemporary or blended in style.

Also, as already noted, it's vital to find the right systems integrator and/or consultant to help you in this journey. Keep in mind that it's much easier to build a new facility around the technical tools than it is to "retro-fit" them into an existing facility. A good consultant will be able to help you understand what will take place and how.

Video systems integration in a traditional space is one of the biggest challenges facing the systems integrator and/or consultant. This process will involve a number of critical decisions from the church, says Ken Holsinger of Fowler, Inc. Holsinger says you'll address questions such as, "Can we or should we do front or rear application? What size will it be? How many screens will we use? Where will we place them?"

And then there's the projector selection, for which you'll have many options. Finally, you'll want to ask about what else is needed for a complete presentation system—applications, what sources will be used, switching possibilities and so on.

A word of caution: If an A/V systems integrator asks, "What's your budget?" before you've explained your plans, look elsewhere. A good designer won't ask budgetary questions, but will instead design what will work best in your facility, meeting your specific needs. Another red flag: If he or she offers a quote over the phone without seeing your facility. It's impossible to design a system without seeing the facility.

7) The only logical place we can put a video screen is where the cross is. Mrs. Jones donated it 70 years ago and it's not moving! What should we do?

Questions like this are quite common. One of the biggest challenges in an existing facility is what you have to work with and around to meet the needs and goals you are attempting to implement. As Doug Henriques at Christian V/A says, "Aesthetics play a very important role in this process. Solutions come from experience and research. What will be the best decision for the present challenges and for the physical layout of the given space?" A good consultant and/or systems integrator can help answer that question, giving you options to meet your goals within your existing facility.

8) Are budgets for the technical area vital? How much do we need?

Whether using an existing facility or building a new one, a budget for your technical needs is a must. Experts suggest budgeting 10-to-15 percent of the overall total cost of the facility or facility upgrade for your technical needs. But even that number isn't written in stone. Says Shepherd Ministries' Lyon, "A pastor can call 10 people and get 10 drastically different opinions on that!"

Unfortunately, the technical budget in many churches always seems to take the hit when budgets are exceeded in other areas of the building/upgrade process. But it's important to remember that you should consider this as an investment, not just a purchase. You are investing in the life of the community that you exist for. And when you skimp on your technical budget, you could be hurting your effectiveness at reaching the lost in your community. Once a budget is determined, stick to it and don't compromise it.

What specifically will you budget for? A typical system consists of three areas:

• an audio system, including a mixing console, sources (instruments, microphones, effects gear, signal processors), amplifiers and speakers capable of handling the demands of the worship and support area.
• a video system, including a screen (front or rear application), sources (DVD, video, cameras, etc.), switching or control equipment and a projector. You may also need additions such as line-doublers to enhance resolution; video "up-convertors" to bring a crude signal up to that of a computer's grade; or a "seamless" switcher to provide clean transitions between sources if a true "switcher" is not inline to process clean, seamless switching.
• lighting, including a lighting console, dimmers and lighting instruments, such as pars, ellipsoidals (or lekos), and fresnels.

Finding your specific list of needed items will depend on what you're trying to achieve, combined with good communication between you and your consultant or systems design/integrator.

9) Will I get what I paid for?

Again, this will be determined by the research you have done finding the right consultant and/or system integrator. Integrated Media's Riggs advises you to ask these questions: "How have the prospective companies responded to your request of their possible involvement? Did they visit you right away? Did they do all the talking, or did they listen to your vision and goals? And most important, when they submit their ideas or bids, do they fully and effectively accomplish those visions and goals? All things being equal, the company that is genuinely interested in your success—beyond their own paycheck and finishing of work—is the one to go with."

That's how you'll get what you paid for.

10) How do I know this new change will be successful?

That's a hard question to answer. Yes, it's a risk. But if you are praying about it and sense that God is moving you in this direction, then it becomes a very good risk, for he will guide you. Seek the Lord, do your research, find a good consultant and/or systems integrator, and trust God to do the rest. That's your best plan.

I'd like to close with two very important things to remember. First and most important, using integrated multimedia may represent a significant philosophical shift in the life of your church. But you'll want to remember that simply installing equipment doesn't make you "innovative" or "contemporary." Second, these technical tools will never save a soul. They're used to bridge and support the Word of God—which is the true saving grace that brings the lost to Christ.

David Rauch (david@electratechnologies.com) is President of Electra Technologies, Inc., in San Antonio, Texas.

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc./Your Church magazine.
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November/December 2002, Vol. 48, No. 6, Page 12