Media Technology In Church & Ministry

Churches are leaders and early adapters of all types of media technology. With over 400,000 churches in the U.S. and with purpose and dedication of Christian evangelism churches have adopted and adapted media technology as a means to help reach the congregation and grow the ministry. Sound, audio-video, HD television broadcast, digital display, wireless, video projection, all are technologies being implemented and harnessed at today's churches across virtually every denomination. Sound and Communication magazine completed its 11th annual Worship Center Survey in which church respondents indicated that over 94% of churches will install or upgrade media technology within the next 18 months. In 2006 alone almost $8 Billion was spent on sound technology in U.S. churches.

Many contractors and systems integrators who specialize in church media projects report that although most churches recognize the value of media technology to the growth and evangelism of the ministry and desire to complete media technology projects that many churches "under-budget and over-spend" in the area of equipment, technology and systems. At first this sounds contradictory yet when you consider that many churches fail to adequately budget for the "right size" media technology project, then end up "piece mealing" or patching together various systems (often not compatible) over several months or years one recognizes the risk and probability of repeating costs multiple times that result in poor stewardship of finances.

Partial financing is a means to help churches "stretch" budgets and "right size" media technology projects. In a recent church project the media equipment costs were $450,000. The church's budget $250,000. The vendor and financing source worked together to offer 0% financing for 24 months on the remaining $200,000 so that the church would not undermine its media systems objectives. The monthly payment was $8,333 which equaled a weekly portion of $2083 each week. The church has 2,000 in its congregation which equates to approximately $1.00 per week per each member.

In summary media technology helps define and communicate a clear purpose in today's House of Worship. It is a means to share The WORD, to reach the congregation and expand the ministry. The right budgeting for the right-size project is essential to helping ministers and their congregations come alive with the passion of belief achieved through a complete media ministry. Media technology is an important tool to help pastors and church leaders guide their congregation to deeper faith and commitment.