Balancing Act - Ensuring the congregation feels the message, but not the spectacle

The Message

   One of the main focus points of the contemporary church service is the delivery of the message.  In a perfect situation, each congregant would be glued to the speaker and each word would resonate deeply in their hearts.  They would leave the service after having multiple conversations about each key bullet point that the pastor included in their message, and the community thrives as they bring the message out to their neighbors, co-workers, etc.

The Spectacle

   Technology can be very impressive, it draws the eye, bends he ear, and helps unite large groups of people within the room, on broadcast, or Internet media.  A single bright light high up in the North can make the manger scene truly come alive, video walls can bring the lyrics of worship music to the lips of the people in the back row of the auditorium, dramatic lighting can bring a congregation's focus to the scripture reader who tells all present about the Good News, the birth of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The Caveat

   Technology can also be the Achilles heel for the delivery of the message.  The last thing that a teaching pastor wants is for the congregation to walk away thinking about how cool the dramatic lighting effect was, or how the video background of the lyrics so nicely underscored that...um...song they played...uh...which song was that again?

The Balancing Act

   How do we leverage technology so that it effectively supports the message, while not detracting, or distracting from the meaning?  If over-done, any technology can distract, if the sound is unnatural, or so loud that more ears are ringing than hearts, or if glaring lights force the choir to wear sunglasses, then a problem arises...the message may be compromised.

The Analysis

   You must analyze each element of technology in use to see what intangibles it brings to the service, and what GLARING details stand out.

• SOUND

• Does the speaker's voice sound natural?  Are there any artifacts, distracting clicks, pops, sibilance...feedback...all of these elements can take the ears away from the words being communicated.
• Is the sound level uncomfortable?  Is there hearing protection available, or is there a way to better distribute the sound at a more comfortable listening level?

• LIGHTING

• Are the communicators (Worship Leaders, Pastors, Guest Speakers, etc.) being distracted or blinded?  This can make communication more difficult, and it may affect the intensity or delicate feel of the message.
• Are there shadows on the Pastor's face?  If there are poorly aimed fixtures, or not enough lighting angles hitting the area where the Pastor is speaking from, then a ghost double-chin, or grim-reaper type of effect may happen. Consider bolstering your current lighting fixtures, re-positioning the beam, or putting in a wider angle fresnel lens type fixture may be your better solution.
• Is your lighting intensity sufficient and color temperature correct so that the cameras can effectively process the live video? Get a light meter and check your kelvin ratings, you may need to re-lamp or use appropriate CTG Correction gels on your lights. 

• VIDEO

• Is your IMAG screen at a comfortable viewing angle for every seat in the sanctuary? is the projection screen large/bright/resolution enough to bring a nice clear image to everyone watching?  Is there any ambient light in the room that is causing a screen to appear washed out? Are your cameras good enough to be effective in lower lighting levels?
• Do you white balance?  Make sure that you are balancing utilizing the current lighting preset for that particular camera shot, and that all cameras are balanced using the same white source with the same kelvin lighting.
• Focus!  Camera operators need to have Focus!, pay close attention to this at all times.  Be extra careful with Autofocus, there may be a point where something changes on stage and causes the camera to temporarily lose focus...try to manual focus all cameras.

•  Frame the shot! Look at the context, where is the eye naturally drawn to? Sculpt all camera angles and moves to be taking advantage of the best shot framing.

• GRAPHICS

• Typos...nothing is worse than a lyric that says "Prays The Lord!" unless we are talking about our Lord and Savior in the act of Praying...but then there would be a comma between Prays and The Lord.
• Positioning, text size, font, color contrast (especially if placed over an image) all need to be viewable and look great on the projection screen or video wall. Test your graphics in the room, do not rely on your laptop LCD to be an accurate representation.

•  Lead the congregation (do not follow) with the CORRECT slide! Don't assume the worship team is going to do x arrangement, verify all lyrics and artists! It might be "I Will Follow" by Vertical Church Band...or maybe another I Will Follow...

• SPECIAL EFFECTS

• Are exactly that...they are an effect, that is special.  When you use that bubble machine every week, it stops being so special...and on a week by week basis, do not get in a rut, sometimes less is more!  

• When that special effect is just right for the message make sure that it is used in a way that honors the message...pray about it and don't be afraid to scrap it if you feel in any way that it might steal the show from the message.
• Take into account local fire codes, and how the effect might not be safe inside your low roofline auditorium... 

 Who are we working for?
   If we carefully and prayerfully look over the elements of a service, there may be things that just aren't praising The Lord, take quick action to change, or remove that element from the service, follow His guidance, if He takes over as Executive Producer of the service, then everyone walks out having grown a little, and better armed to face the world that He created.

Larry Frisk
11/2014