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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."

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