Our annual audio/video issue is one of our most popular each year. That's because churches are continually looking for new and better ways to communicate, with technology, their message and music to their congregations. We have rounded up some of the leaders to discuss some of the hottest A/V topics affecting houses of worship today. Here are some great "take-aways" from this section.

Increasing Sermon Retention
We all believe that just the words coming out of our mouth will be remembered forever. Properly using audio, video, and lighting systems will ensure greater retention of your sermon and make better evangelists of your congregation in the mission field. Adding one new piece of technology can increase retention from 10% to 16%, adding another takes it from 16% to 24%, and so on.

Ensuring Quality Sound
Your worship facility is the environment in which you transmit word, song and music to evoke mood, enhance worship and elevate the spirit. These sounds aren't simply what you hear from your electronic sound system, but a direct result of the entire acoustical environment – reverberation, early and late reflections, echoes – all influenced by the shape, surfaces, furnishings and even what is behind the walls and ceilings of your facility.

Choosing Sound Equipment
Your sound console is the focal point of operation for your sound system. It plays a key role in the integrity of the sound heard over your speaker system. Consider that, next to your speaker system (including the processing and amps that drive it), the house console is the next most important and significant investment you'll make toward your sound system's quality.