4 Common Church AV System Mistakes

“I don’t care if the toilets don’t flush. The system has to sound good.” The pastor said this as a joke, but it illustrates an important point.

Church AV systems matter.
Lights. Sound. Video. Everything works together to help you share the message. But when problems with these components occur, they become distractions. And when that happens, the sermon takes a backseat.

Keep your congregation engaged by avoiding these four common church AV system mistakes.

1. NOT VALUING THE SYSTEM

When it’s time to make upgrades or move into a new building, churches get excited. Everyone on staff is full of ideas. While things like carpet and signage are important, they’re not an integral part of sharing the gospel. But your church AV system is:

• Lighting keeps focus on the pastor
• Speakers deliver music that helps people worship
• Videos are shared online to reach an even wider audience

By valuing your church AV system, you ensure the right resources are dedicated to it. People will appreciate softer seats, but they’ll never forget a life-changing message.

2. NOT BUDGETING PROPERLY

Running a thriving and growing church isn’t cheap. Neither is buying the system that makes it all happen.

Even if your next AV upgrade is years in the future, beginning to budget for it now will help you get the system you need without cutting corners. But that can be a challenge without real numbers to keep in mind. To help you prepare for your next investment, download our free budget guide.

You’ll get an estimated range based on your:

• Budget
• Priorities
• Seating capacity

3. NOT UPGRADING IN TIME

Even high-end loudspeaker systems will only last between 10 and 15 years. It’s unfortunate but true. With both a gradual lapse in performance and ongoing innovations in the market, it’s typically better to upgrade sooner rather than later.

However, there are churches across the country relying on systems that are 30+ years old.

Keep an eye out for the first indicators that it’s time for an upgrade:

• Parts aging out
• Drivers responding less
• High-end frequencies dropping

4. NOT TRAINING VOLUNTEERS PROPERLY

Sunday mornings would be impossible without volunteers. That includes everyone in the booth.

Hands-on training is essential and should never be rushed. Start small. The average volunteer doesn’t need to know what each button does. That will come with time. Instead, keep initial training at a high level, focusing on the responsibilities that are most common and most important.

Also, remember to:

• Be patient
• Train individually or in small groups
• Provide weekends off to prevent burnout

You should also consider creating internal training videos. This expedites the process and ensures that each volunteer is learning the same process.

If you have any questions about your church AV system, contact CSD. Our experts are here to help.