Thinking Ahead…
Change is inevitable, and this includes the production systems in our churches. Your electronic equipment won’t last forever. So, what's the strategy for when something needs to be repaired, replaced, or upgraded?
While setting goals for major projects might seem obvious, it’s equally crucial to plan for smaller maintenance tasks.
Effective planning and goal setting can save money on church gear both now and in the future.
Setting Production Goals
Goal setting is akin to planning but provides a broader framework and vision to work from.
Identifying clear long-term and short-term goals for your church’s systems will streamline the planning process. Clear goals also foster creative thinking in how to achieve them.
Some examples of church production goals might include:
- "We need to improve the video quality of our live stream by the end of the year."
- "We'll need a new PA system for the sanctuary in five years."
- "We want to improve our stage lighting in time for Christmas."
Once goals are set, it’s time to move on to the planning phase.
Five Gear Planning Questions
Consider several crucial factors during the planning process. Here are five questions to help prioritize church gear acquisitions:
1. What is the primary goal for the new equipment?
2. What is the budget for the upgrade or project?
3. How long will the new equipment last?
4. Are there any maintenance, software, or service costs to include in the budget?
5. Can the old equipment be repaired, repurposed, or recycled?
Answering these questions saves a lot of time, money, and frustration.
Regular planning sessions help production teams stay on track and focus on ministry goals. Detailed planning also helps leadership understand the complexities involved in meeting or expanding the church's technical needs.
Planning session notes should be detailed enough to identify most of the tech equipment needed, guide budget discussions, and seek bids for consulting or contracting work.
Defining Priorities
Clear goals and detailed plans can be incredibly helpful in prioritizing budgets and timelines.
- "Should we upgrade to in-ear monitors or get new floor monitors?"
- "What can we do to invest in our volunteers and increase their production skills?"
- "Do we have the budget/need for a new digital mixing console this year?"
Several competing issues might be "High priority." Defined goals and plans help cut through the confusion.
Adding risk scores and notes can help determine priorities. What happens if the old projector fails? Are there enough spare audio/video/lighting cables? Do viewers stop watching the live stream due to poor audio or video quality?
Including your volunteers and leadership staff in these discussions keeps everyone on the same page and creates a stronger, more informed team.
Fix, Reuse, Donate
Sometimes it’s necessary to discard old equipment and clear out the tech closet. However, it’s always worth trying to find a new use for gear that may no longer serve its original purpose.
Simple repairs can make a big difference, like fixing bad audio cables or mic stands.
Larger items like lights, speakers, projectors, and even mixing consoles can often be repurposed or repaired.
As stewards of church tech solutions, we play a vital role in minimizing waste. A simple repair might provide a great spare piece of equipment.
Old gear that still works can be used in other ministries or creatively integrated into special event solutions.
Upgrading to a new mixing console? Save the old one for another ministry or repurpose it for a portable sound system.
If you can’t find a use for perfectly functional equipment in your own church, consider donating it. Smaller churches, church plants, and schools often need even the most basic equipment. Your equipment donation could make a significant difference in the life of another organization.
Focus on the Why
In all our planning and wish lists for church gear, it's essential to understand why we use technology in the first place.
Church tech solutions are tools to enhance the presentation of the Gospel. They solve specific problems, make tasks easier, and increase engagement with the congregation.
Take the time to plan for the tools that will help fulfill your church’s mission and meet the needs of your teams and congregation.
Get Help with Your Production Planning
Looking for guidance to get started with planning and prioritizing your church’s production goals? Need advice from a team with experience?
Schedule a free 1-hour technical consultation/evaluation with us, Remote-TD!
Whether you plan to buy the gear and do the upgrade yourself or hire a contractor, We can help you start the process with the right information and clarify priorities to ensure a successful project.
