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Principles For Portable Church Technology

Portable churches face specific challenges because of the temporary nature of their set-ups.

by Rob Connelly

Media ministry looks very different for portable churches compared to those who have their own meeting space. Portable churches face specific challenges because of the temporary nature of their set-ups.

Because of the mobile, often transitional, nature of portable churches the general principles for purchasing technology are different. In this article we’ll explore a few examples relating to sound systems and the issues surrounding them. These principles can and should be applied to other areas of technology ministry for the portable church as well.

Mission, Vision, Stewardship

Each of these principles will be framed inside of three considerations. First is the mission and purpose of the church. This relates to the music style, use of video, degree of dynamic impact desired, and similar issues. Much of this will be derived from the demographic and the cultural contexts in which the church is operating.

There is an element here of ecclesiology (theology of the church) that cannot be missed. For example, a portable church that takes the approach of engaging the culture directly with production elements that allow for a culturally genuine worship experience will need to use a different thought process than a church whose primary goal in corporate worship is to maintain a tradition or a comfort level. This requires a basic understanding of the very nature of the church; the technology needs to be appropriate for the situation.

Second is the vision of the church. This entails the question of maximum envisioned size. For example, if the church is a part of a church-planting movement or multi-site church, they may have a maximum size goal before spawning a new congregation.

Third, of course, is the financial consideration, which has multiple facets. First and foremost is the issue of stewardship. But good stewardship does not always manifest itself in the lowest price. In fact it is rarely in the lowest price.

The First Principle: Foundational Purchases

The first principle of portable church technology is that every equipment purchase should be foundational. This means that every purchase should be equipment upon which future equipment purchases will build as the vision and mission of the church is fulfilled. Therefore, it is important for the church to have a clear mission and vision in order to lay the proper equipment foundation.

The second consideration is the vision of the church. Different visions for the future will necessitate different solutions for the same immediate needs. While rarely does a church know every growth step in advance (future meeting spaces, etc.), there are certain inferences that can and must be drawn from the vision of the leaders of the church. For example, if the church is filling a geographically specific role in a city-engaging church planting strategy, there likely will be a growth ceiling at which point another church will be planted. If, however, the church is reaching a relatively un-reached area, the growth potential is likely more open-ended, all of which factors in to how equipment will be foundational.

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Rob Connelly currently serves at North Wake Church in Wake Forest, NC as director of technology and communication. He is the owner of Connelly Audio, providing technology, ministry and systems consulting to churches. Rob is also a student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Ashley have two young sons.