As Alabama Baptist churches attempt to meet the needs of our technologically advanced society, many realize the need to renovate and remodel their current facilities.
Three areas most often affected by these updates are lighting, sound and multimedia.
“Our society as a whole wants a lighter, fresher more open atmosphere and it is the church’s responsibility to provide a well-lit facility,” said Gary Swafford, director of church planting and building services at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM).
“Light also assists those who have difficulty seeing and makes it possible to read the Bible and other texts,” he said.
In addition to what is needed for general sight and reading purposes, many churches are installing theatrical lighting for dramatic presentations or other special programs.
Many purposes of light
In “Designing Worship Centers,” Gwenn McCormick wrote, “More and more we are coming to recognize the varied functions which lighting can fulfill. We now expect lighting not only to provide illumination but to help create certain moods, feelings and emotions. … Few factors in the environment have the power that light possesses in creating these effects.”
Swafford added, “Lighting needs to be up to today’s standards, which are more than what we had in the past.”
To achieve adequate lighting levels, some churches have to re-wire their facilities and purchase new light fixtures, according to Keith Hibbs, an associate in the SBOM worship leadership/church music office.
In these cases, Hibbs, who offers free consultations to Alabama Baptist churches, advises church leaders to make sure that the wiring used is adequate to conduct the necessary voltage to the lights.
“The trend today is that lighting controls and faders are placed in the sound console,” he said.
Equally important as proper lighting is good sound, experts say.
In Romans 10:14 (KJV), Paul asks, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” In verse 17, he states, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
“We have good news to share therefore we need to make every effort to communicate that good news so that everyone can hear,” Swafford said. “We need to make sure that every person can hear whether he is hearing impaired or the message is translated into his language. Proper technology makes that possible.”
Hibbs added, “Practical studies of sound have found that if a person has to labor to be able to understand what is being said or sung, you lose their attention quickly.”
To offer the best sound possible, churches should update their systems every 12 to 15 years, according to Hibbs.
Even good quality sound reinforcement systems should be updated at that time, he said.
Another technology that many churches are employing to reach people is multimedia systems, which include video screens and projectors.
Even though the installation of these systems may present several challenges to some congregations, experts agree that having a properly installed, smoothly functioning system is worth overcoming the problems.
“The use of technology is to enhance worship and to make Bible study more effective,” said Swafford.
“The best use of technology is when the quality of worship is enhanced without attention being drawn to the technical equipment that is helping to set the atmosphere,” he said.
One common obstacle in installing a multimedia system is the church’s design.
“The architecture of (some) older churches may not be conducive to multimedia equipment,” said Hibbs. “The screen placement may be very difficult because of the way the sanctuary is designed.”
In these cases, Hibbs usually offers possible solutions to the church, then a multimedia contractor helps them find the optimum location for the screen and projectors.
Another challenge is the cost of multimedia equipment. “Even though the technological advances are bringing the prices down, it can still be expensive,” Hibbs said.
Yet experts agree that the systems are well worth the investment.
“Our society expects high quality multimedia in business and at home; therefore, they expect it at church,” Swafford said.
After installing multimedia systems, Hibbs advises churches to use them creatively.
“Once installed, the biggest challenge to churches would be discovering the multiplicity of uses in worship for multimedia if it’s properly used to enhance the worship greatly,” Hibbs said. “If the church uses multimedia only to project song lyrics, they are not really utilizing all the potential of the media.”
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