However, the worst buildings, the ones that are the hardest to deal with are ones that were DIY projects, especially with architects who haven’t done churches before. Or the churches they have done are very traditional and don’t require any production equipment.
If I see another church with a single 3/4-inch conduit between the booth and the stage, I’m going to be sick. Please, get someone involved who actually knows what they’re doing.
You Will Waste Money On Your Own
Everyone thinks going solo will save money. I have bad news for you: It rarely ever does. Oh sure, maybe in the short run, you might save a few thousand dollars—maybe even $20-30K.
But here’s the reality—if what you buy and install turns out to be the wrong stuff installed improperly, how much will you spend tearing out and doing it again? As someone who has been part of multiple churches that are on their second or third PA system, I can tell you it’s a lot.
A good integrator will make sure you get what you need, and will ensure that it’s installed properly. Moreover, they will consider future needs and be thinking of additional cable and power runs that you’ll miss.
Remember, once the building is built, it’s there. Do you want to fight with it every day of the rest of your life, or actually enjoy working there?
You’re Setting Your Team Up To Fail
Pastors, this one is for you. You may not realize it, but when you ask your volunteer or tech team to do the whole design and install themselves to save money, you are setting them up to fail.
Why? For all the reasons above. They don’t have the knowledge base, experience or time to do it right. And here’s the kicker. Once it’s installed, and it doesn’t really work they way you wanted it to, you will blame them.
Instead of equipping them to succeed, you’ve set them up to fail. For the next several years, you will be frustrated with the way the equipment works (or doesn’t) and you will become bitter toward the team that installed it.
Eventually, they will get tired of feeling your disappointment (or wrath) and they will leave. Some will leave the church for good. You will then go out and hire an integrator to “fix what those knuckleheads screwed up.” Don’t do it!
Think you’re above all that? Trust me, you’re not. I’ve been in their shoes and have experienced it first-hand. I also talk with tech leaders all over the country and hear the same story over and over again.
Do yourself, your church and your tech team a favor and hire the right people for the job. Don’t cut your tech team out of the loop, either. The best church buildings are built by a partnership between leadership, the builder, the tech team and the integrator. Work hard to foster that team approach. Everyone will be happier in the end, I promise you.
