One of the most discussed topics in the world of church sound and A/V is training. 

Integrators are installing more sophisticated and complex systems as many churches are incorporating A/V and production into their weekly services.

Churches spending big dollars on these installs are expecting big results. 

The problem rears it ugly head as volunteers will little or no training try to operate these highly technical systems.

Whose Problem is it?
The technical advancements that have happened in the church market over the last 20 years have been astounding. 

The average church has gone for a 6-8 channel mixer to 32 channels and from maybe 1 wireless lav to systems of 8 or more.  The most impacting and profound change that have driven this have been the move from piano, organ and a single “minister of music” leading worship to contemporary worship. 

Today at a typical worship service it is common to find a worship team consisting of 4 or more vocalists, worship leader, guitars (electric, acoustic and bass), keyboards, piano, and drums.  This could also include a flute player, violinist, and even a brass section. 

Yes the typical worship has changed.  Now also add in to this the drama that takes place with 4 -5 actors and numerous sound effects.  At time church looks and feels like a cross between Broadway, touring concert and motivational seminar. 

I am not going to go into on a dialogue as to what is proper and appropriate.  That is for each congregation to decide and choose based on their mission and calling. 

The point that is being made is that in a short 20 years the church now has an expectation placed on it to provide relevant, entertaining, uplifting preplanned and excellent programming. 

The A/V industry has not necessarily had a great track record on training the end-user.  In fact it does not even have a great track record of training its own people.  Up until recent years and the attempt at NICET certification and now C-EST training the industry was primarily made up of home-grown, self-taught personnel. 

I would even argue that it is still that way as many integrators do not take advantage of the training offered by Industry associations like NSCA. 

In addition often the integrators that are installing systems into churches that are doing production have had no experience in what the demands of a production orientated church service is.

A friend of mine who has been a worship leader at churches that are very production orientated and have had millions of dollars of technical equipment stated “it (mixing for church) is not like mixing for a 2 hour rock concert.”

“You have a worship team, band, sometimes orchestra, the spoken word, video elements, lots of transitions, drama, loud moments, quiet moments, even silence….. and then to top it off you have unpaid volunteers who are the talent on the stage.”

I would add to that in most cases you also have an unpaid volunteer at the mix position.

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