In our annual focus on technology in the church, we have identified some of the most relevant technological topics to you as a church leader. Predictably, the majority of the information within this section focuses on A/V issues, which is reflective of where the majority of your technology budget is allocated. However, technology goes beyond the visual aspects of your services, extending into other areas of the church, from the nursery to the office. Here are some great “take-aways” from this section.

Selecting a Church Management Software Program
Before evaluating or shopping for church software, the church administrator should create a list of features and functionality required. In addition to this list, create a wish list of future features and helpful tools. One of the most helpful steps to take in identifying the possible candidates that are right for your church is to create a Church Management Request for Quote, which includes the list of features and flexible items needed, and it can be sent to the top 20 companies you see as meeting your church’s needs. If the church software company is interested in helping your church, they will respond to your questions and show you how their solutions meet your needs. This Request for Quote is very important, as you will see the response time and customer support that the company offers. 

Hiring an A/V Firm
The right time to hire an A/V firm is before the designer/architect completes his design. The designer will call on his resources for structural engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, etc., and now he can call on the technology firm to get the information required to complete his design. This will save the church time and money. Prior to, and during, the architectural design phase, the technology firm will provide critical information to the designer based on what they learned about the church’s A/V needs and by applying their expertise in the technology area. Once the architectural design is finalized, the technology firm can finalize their designs, install the equipment and provide training on all systems.

Navigating the Media Matrix
In the world of media and technology, which is intended to stimulate the deepest senses, it seems like an endless gadget overdose. Finding your way through the Media Matrix can be tricky, but doable. There is a co-mission in the commission. God wants to partner with us to reach the world. He compels us to use every possible means and every situation to display his glory. You don’t always have to know where you are going as long as you know who you are following. God knows the way into people’s hearts. You, stuck in the Media Matrix, can be the interface. Use your technology to that end, and you will master the Media Matrix.

Projecting Your Message
The projector has become as ubiquitous in churches as hymnals have. Of course, projectors represent a mature technology, but there are areas where new impact can be felt. Having made their first forays into houses of worship mostly for projecting words
and music onto a big screen in a “follow the bouncing ball” scenario, projectors quickly grew in their applications. Even this standard usage required improvements, as projectors had to be bright enough to be hung or put in the back of the seating area and thus required a long lens as well. Smaller, brighter and lighter become the norm. High-quality engineering is resulting in portable projectors that still provide high-quality, brilliant pictures.