Most church leaders would agree that planning for and purchasing large items within the church is not nearly as simple as doing so for individual use. However, I have run across few churches that have a systematic framework to assist them in this area. The purpose of this article is to define and briefly apply a series of questions for purchasing and planning audio, video and lighting that will help pursue what I call gospel stewardship.
Gospel stewardship is quite simple: Making disciples who worship God with their lives is the primary mission of the church, according to Matthew 28. Everything we do and buy should be directly linked to this mission. This worship is also expressed through caring for the poor and hurting, caring for creation, serving our communities where real need exists, by essentially loving what God loves. Actually living this mission out in the church is quite complicated. In order to make disciples and facilitate worship, the gospel message and indeed the gospel community (the church) must be "contextualized" appropriately to the culture.
This idea of "contextualization" is debated greatly with differing opinions of how much contextualization is too much. In other words, at what point have we somehow altered the gospel in an attempt to contextualize it? While the church should use relevant methods, the message of the Bible and the end goal of making disciples must motivate their use. Each church must have a vision: a stated understanding of how the biblical mission of the church will be contextualized to unify and drive all of what they do.
The following three scenarios (regarding the purchase of audio, video and lighting, respectively) apply these gospel stewardship questions to reach effective decisions. For the sake of this article we won't ask all questions for each example, but only enough to give readers a better understanding of the process.
When you're considering equipment upgrades for your church, answers to some questions may be obvious, while other questions may require meetings, conversations with consultants and prayerful consideration to reach accurate conclusions.
Eight important questions:
1. How does the function of this equipment enhance the accomplishment of our long-term vision?
2. Do we have the budget to do it right legally, safely and with quality?
3. Are we prepared/able to put in place the proper infrastructure to make this a good kingdom investment for the long-term?
4. Are we willing to pay someone from outside the church (unless a volunteer experienced in A/V system design for houses of worship is available) to help us with both the decision and the integration?
5. Will this equipment be operable by our volunteers/staff in such a way that it will add its theoretical value?
6. Are there any technical issues that this upgrade might cause that would be a detriment to the vision?
7. Is there another piece of equipment that may cost less, be easier to operate, require less infrastructure or has only the features we need and none of the ones we don't, which would bring the value we desire?
8. Should we have other priorities based on the heart of God for our money, which would better reflect the Gospel, such as feeding the poor or taking the Gospel to the nations?
AUDIO-Transition from Analog to Digital Console?
Let's say a church is thinking about replacing a large-format analog console with a new digital console. Question number one would ask what gospel value is added by this purchase? How does a digital console facilitate accomplishing your vision? If gospel contextualization leads you to have multiple services and events taking place each week, then the instant setting recall of a digital console will facilitate that.
Question five would ask whether the console would be too advanced for your operators. If they have neither the expertise nor the ability to acquire the expertise, then the purchase will not embody gospel stewardship. Another mixer may have a more appropriate feature set that comes with a lower price tag. This is one case where a trustworthy outside consultant can be more helpful than merely finding out what another church is using or merely searching the internet for the best price.
VIDEO-Switching from SD to HD?
Let's now consider a video upgrade from an SD 4:3 system to HD 16:9. Question six answers most issues. Certainly, the cost of HD projection has come down considerably in recent years, but such an upgrade is still expensive for most churches. There are a myriad of issues that must be considered with large-format video displays yet another reason to hire a qualified consultant or integrator. Some spaces are not large enough to truly benefit from HD, not to mention that the demographics of your congregation/target-group may or may not dictate the need. Also, most new projectors have the ability to project in 16:9 widescreen format, so a setting change along with a tweak to your screens may give the effect of HD without the cost or the technical considerations.
LIGHTING-New System or Not?
Finally let's consider a complete lighting overhaul. Let's use the example of an older congregation that is meeting in an older building, with an antiquated lighting system already in place. Let's say the church leaders have decided that the vision moving forward will include more contemporary elements such as dramas, concerts and other events and that the current lighting system is in need of modernization.
With question one already answered, questions two and three come to the forefront. This type of upgrade will likely involve a good deal of electrical work to be done safely and legally. Depending on the specifics of the building, this may require significant interaction with local officials to assure that the work is being done according to code.
Aesthetics come into play with older facilities, and making modern technology fit with older architecture can be tricky and expensive. The infrastructure for future expansion of the lighting system, specifically electrical infrastructure for future fixtures and dimmers, should be done with the modernization. This will surely save money long-term not to mention avoiding the headache of not having the infrastructure in place when you need it. This would be true any time you are pulling cable or having electrical work done. Do as much as your future vision may dictate and your current budget allows.
In Conclusion
With any purchase your church is considering, the amount of money you spend is important. However, the lowest price is often not the best decision as gospel stewardship involves the long-term just as much as the short-term. Be intentional about cultivating good relationships with a consultant or integrator who can get to know your church and its vision and can provide quality service long after the sale or installation. Some smaller purchases such as cables, adapters, and small equipment can be priced out for the lowest price, but any major purchase is worth some extra investment into the relationship with a long-term partner. Hopefully, these questions will give you a framework for your purchasing and planning as your church moves forward with its vision to make disciples and embody good gospel stewardship.
