More questions: What is the worship style of the church? Is there a single style, or is there the need to support multiple styles? During services, is the congregation active or passive?
The easiest scenario to work with from a systems standpoint is a church with a single, defined worship style. Simply, the acoustic signature and technical systems can be designed to work optimally for that style.
Conversely, the most difficult situation is a church offering both traditional and contemporary worship in the same facility. For both types of services to work in promoting the ministry, great care must be taken to make sure each style is addressed as well as possible.
One major component in determining the proper acoustic signature for a sanctuary is the involvement of the congregation. In a nutshell, the more active the congregation, the more desire there will be for an acoustically “lively” sanctuary. And vice versa.
Over the years, I’ve asked numerous pastors and worship leaders about the activity level of the congregation in their services. Interestingly, many times I’ve been told “very active,” only to find that this was not the case.
Rather, they were telling me about how active they wished the congregation would be. This goes to my earlier comment about trying to be as honest as possible in your assessment. Some objectivity can go a long way.
Yet another question: What is the relationship and priority between music and preaching/teaching? Of the activities that occur in a sanctuary, these are the two that bring in and keep most of the congregants. And the relationship between the two is a major aspect in determining the type and quality of sound system that is required to enhance a ministry’s goals.
For example, if musical worship is a very high priority, some form of a stereo imaging sound system might well be appropriate.