Many churches today have someone on staff that is knowledgeable when it comes to the audio, video and lighting (AVL) aspects of the church’s needs. While they may not be experts in the field, they are the ones in the trenches using the facilities and being asked to pull off whatever requests come from the leadership team--no matter how unusual. The house tech will be able to help you figure out the best course of action, so the sooner you pull them in, the quicker things can get off the ground.
What used to be a simple "tech booth" on a set of drawings now could look more like the schematics for mission control in some churches.
Technology in the modern church is essential: from lighting controllers to WiFi, and right on through to digital signage. It has grown to so much more than a small mixer in a closet and a few microphones on stage. What used to be a simple "tech booth" on a set of drawings now could look more like the schematics for mission control in some churches. That's not a bad thing (says the church tech guy) - it's just something to plan for. I am helping with a design for a church right now where the tech was an afterthought. When the realities of how they planned to use the room came up against the space they had actually provided didn't align, the architect had to go back to the drawing board (or computer screen) and adjust the plans. That cost the church money and delayed the start of the project due to the other trades (such as HVAC and electrical) needing to get involved and speak into the changes.
Firsthand experience
Having been a church technical director for many years, I have seen my fair share of building projects. I have experienced rough ones and better ones. Often decisions were made from an aesthetics and design basis (or for chair count). But in all of them, headaches could have been avoided by having earlier conversations with the church techs, worship leaders, and/or key people who actually use the space. I am in no way asserting that I am an expert over the input and direction of a designer/architect, but I (as well as most other AVL staffers) do offer valuable insight into the process. Of course, there will be compromises, but it's better to make those earlier in the process when there's time to work out the kinks.
Years ago, I was TD at a church going through a large scale renovation/addition, the architect had a partnership or an agreement with an AVL supplier, and they worked very hard to get added to the project. The church leadership heard them out and moved forward with their design. When I was finally brought into the picture, as mostly a final look-see before moving to the next steps in construction drawing and permitting, I found a 500-seat auditorium with no tech booth. Their plan was for the engineer to mix the band from an iPad on the front row. Some other oddities caused red flags as well, and we ended up having to delay the project to get another design house involved. This company wasn't bad, and I'm not entirely anti-iPad controllers - in fact, I use them in certain places at my current church - but they have their place (such as a coffee area with an iPod and single mic to mix, not a modern worship venue with a full band).
While building off past experience is entirely acceptable (and needed: that's how we get better), each new project has to be approached with fresh eyes and understanding about the end goal.
At that same church, as we were growing and launching campuses. We had a designer/consultant to come in to meet with the staff and team. He met with the senior and executive pastor first and left them saying they have worked on many projects like ours and to expect ours to cost "X" amount. He then came to meet with the rest of us. He walked our main campus, learned some of our DNA, and what we were thinking equipment-wise to keep consistency. The design came back three times his estimate to the senior pastor. That one-size-fits-all mentality hurt the consultant's credibility with the team. While building off past experience is entirely acceptable (and needed: that's how we get better), each new project has to be approached with fresh eyes and understanding about the end goal.
Upfront results
These are some extreme examples. But I use them to illustrate the value that church staff can bring to the table; which can ultimately help make the design process run more smoothly. Building a relationship with them early, even if things aren't completely ironed out yet, helps to avoid confusion down the road. While bathrooms and storage are essential, the technology needs of the church must be high up on that list as well. Look at the churches that are growing--they are the ones who are embracing technology and leveraging it to spread the gospel. That, to me, suggests it deserves a closer look.
