Grampa: Isn't it dangerous when volunteer sound help trained on the programmed digital mixer are confronted with an unexpected guest or situation?

Brian: No doubt. That's where planning comes in. I know of many a situation where the technical crew has no idea what's in store for the service until about 15 minutes before it starts. That's not the way to quality technical support of a potentially life-changing message. Those churches that use technology well, know how to plan to use it most effectively.

Gary: What technologies do you see "converging" together to meet the needs of the church?

Brian: Video projection, live video capture (cameras), lighting, broadcast (by traditional means and via Internet) are all becoming more feasible for a more and more churches. Lighting needs to be designed around video projection screens and at the same time provide the color and depth need to present a pleasing image for the camera. Lighting fixtures, especially intelligent (moving) lights are coming down in price (in part due to high demand from churches).

Brian (continued): At the same time, high quality three-chip cameras are becoming more affordable, and the opportunity for limitless broadcast (unlimited reach and distance) via the Internet - it can be overwhelming. It all has to work well together though. And the best-designed, and best-operated systems (audio, video, lighting, broadcast, etc.) are those that you hardly notice. If it looks and feels natural, it's probably "right".

Jon: How many copies of each issue of Church Production are distributed, and to whom?

Brian: We print about 23,000-24,000 copies per issue (six times per year) and all are distributed free. We are thankful that the support from our advertisers has allowed us to make the magazine free to all churches (in North America). Some churches cannot afford magazine subscriptions, so we made it free. BTW, if you would like to subscribe, you can do so at www.churchproduction.com.

Brian (continued): About 70-80% of our readers are from churches with 300-800 seats. Most are Baptist in denomination, although we have significant interest from other evangelical churches (Pentecostals, and the nondenominational churches).

Gary: Church Production by name and content seems to be geared to the Evangelical churches. Are the mainline churches not doing production?

Brian: What you call the mainline churches may be what I call the liturgical churches. If so, then the answer is "yes", they are beginning to do production, and they are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The content of the magazine is designed to educate. So we like to show our readers the "possibilities" - that a Presbyterian church in Peoria can attract thousands and thousands of people, in part due to it's technical display. We don't do too much on liturgical churches, unless there is something there to be learned.