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The language used today to describe our church sanctuaries would baffle a pastor of 50 years ago. "Screens? Cameras? Stage lighting?" he'd question. "You must be speaking of a theater or a movie studio, not a church!"

Times have changed. And as technology continues improving—offering new ways to share our message—many churches are keeping up with those changes. Sound reinforcement equipment has become commonplace. Increasingly, churches are using proper stage lighting—both for week-to-week drama and special productions. And in an effort to visually reinforce their messages, more and more churches are incorporating video into their services.

Audio, lighting, and video equipment are often introduced gradually in churches, and people tend to view them as three separate elements. However, churches that are taking full advantage of the technology available to them realize these areas are three vital parts of a whole—integrated media. Audio, video, and lighting must be in sync to create the kind of professional presentation audiences expect. To better understand the parts and the whole of integrated media and its role in the church, Your Church interviewed media ministers and experts in the field—both manufacturers and suppliers.

One prime example of a church dedicated to effectively using all aspects of media in its services is Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. Recently, Pastor Ed Young preached a sermon series entitled "Everything You Need to Know About Life Is in Your Fishbowl." To enhance the messages, media minister Curtis Cruson and his team transformed the stage into a giant fishbowl. "We had fish floating everywhere. We brought in bubble machines. It was lit in such a way that it really looked like an aquarium. And all of the songs were tied around the fishbowl theme," he says.

By using all aspects of media during a service the message is reinforced and will have more impact on the listener. A lecture-based message may be difficult to retain, but listeners are likely to remember worshiping inside a giant fishbowl.

There are eight full-time, paid staff members on Fellowship's media team, including a person dedicated specifically to the children's and youth departments. "Everyone on our media team has had some formal training and has worked in the secular world—theater, rock-and-roll tours, corporate, television," Cruson says. "Our team is diverse and brings in all sorts of angles to the productions.

A normal service at Fellowship Church also requires about 15 trained volunteers. Regular training sessions are offered, almost on a weekly basis. Cruson makes extra efforts to put people first and realizes that the ministry depends on volunteers.

But, Cruson cautions that using integrated media to its potential is no easy task.

"Our team meets together to plan our services. There we find out what the topic is—our services are all thematic. Then the music team gives us the songs they will be doing. After that, the media ministry takes the ball and runs with it," he says. "There really isn't a secret to it. If we [learn] of a part that could be enhanced visually, we'll work on coming up with something appropriate for it."

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