This week’s new resource, Building Blocks of an A/V Ministry, includes six training articles to equip your church’s technicians. Below is an excerpt from the first article.
Learn the effects of lighting.
The visual tech team handles lighting, media, video, and other auxiliary tools. The goal of the visual team is to illuminate and make a vision clear. Front lighting is the first step in illuminating the stage areas, up-front persons, art designs, and/or fixtures. Back stage lighting is responsible for adding contrast, depth, and dimension for space. There are wide varieties in stage lighting from PAR cans, Pars, Fresnels, Ellipsoidals, and Intelligent lighting. Light operators use multiple light sources to draw the congregation in, as they bring specific stage features out.
Color lights can dramatically change the mood of the room. Warm colors, such as red, yellow, and orange, move toward the audience, conveying notions of intimacy, sunshine, and energy. Cool colors–blue, green, purple–move away from the viewer; they convey power, truth, and coolness. Colors add significance to stories, music, drama, and other art forms. In addition, color lights can be used in services to highlight seasons of the church calendar. Above all, be sure to keep your lighting schemes simple, friendly, and intentional.
Hear no evil.
The goal of the audio team is to be unnoticed, to make the sound source audible while remaining invisible. If you attend a service where you don’t notice any level changes, unfavorable popping, or interfering frequencies, then the team has done their job. Of course, quality equipment can make their job much easier.
A quality sound system that can evenly cover the entire congregation produces an inviting atmosphere. Acoustical paneling, carpet, sound tiles, and other dampening materials are great tools to soundproof and control reverberations and run-away frequency levels. If you are using drums, it is best to use a variety of enclosed shields with or without top lids. This will properly contain drum noise, which competes with main and monitor volumes (having trained drummers also helps).
Quality sound begins with quality mics and cables. UHF Wireless-unit mics are great to rid the stage floor of the unnecessary spaghetti mess, but make sure batteries are replaced frequently and frequencies are adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications. Each mic should clearly pick up the sound source without sounding far away or too bristly close. For optimum sound quality, a handheld mic should be held no more than a fist away from the mouth. Wireless mics also offer a variety of adjustments, depending on whether you are dealing with lapels or head-worn applications.
All main speakers need to adequately cover the listening area with balanced highs and lows. Some churches like sub speaker units that add sonic depth, but subs are more effective when used for dynamics than volume.
The relationship between the main speakers and monitors can cause problems of its own. Make sure the monitors do not compromise the main levels; monitors are used to identify, not to amplify. In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) are ideal for monitoring the band (rhythm sections) while also minimizing stage volume. If sound levels are not properly controlled (varying between 85db and 100db) the audience may be distracted, stop participating, or leave. Keep in mind, knowledge behind the technology–not the use of it–is what will make your presentation successful.
Introduce change slowly.
“Change” might be the most feared word in the church. “Patience,” however, is the most feared word in A/V and worship ministries. When new technologies are introduced into a service, it can be one of the greatest aids–or hindrances–for people’s ability to connect. A/V technology should always serve the congregation, not scare them.
People arrive at church with multiple expectations, and one of them is the familiarity with the worship facility. When the room is changed, sonically or in appearance, it will always alter the way a congregation responds during worship. If the sound is too loud or intrusive, people will stop participating. If the lighting is blinding, too dark, or confusing, people will lose interest and stop engaging. Instead of loading a plate full of “goodies” at one sitting, introduce new technologies one bite at a time.
The goal is not to draw attention to the technology, but to help people engage more easily in worship unto the Lord. As you slowly and patiently introduce new technologies, the congregation will positively adapt, and gain trust in you and your team.
The best words of advice I ever received in ministry: be patient and consistent in your progression of doing good. My encouragement for you: let patience have its perfect work, have fun, and keep raising the bar in your service to the Lord. I pray the best for you and your teams as you help people worship.
Excerpted from Technologies for Worship Magazine, © 2009. Used by permission.
