Jake Aseltine, Consultant, CCI Solutions

When I first started serving as a worship leader, I quickly realized just how wide the gap can feel between the platform and the sound booth. If you've ever been in either position, you probably know what I'm talking about. Worship leaders are out front, delivering (what they feel to be) heartfelt performances, while those behind the scenes on the tech team work tirelessly to ensure everything works and audio levels please everyone listening. But tension often arises when these two departments don't see eye to eye.

Why the Tension?

Once I began serving off the platform, behind the audio console, I quickly learned how often those on the tech side would only get noticed when something went wrong. Not many are thinking about how wonderful their audio engineer must be when worship sounds amazing, and the entire congregation is engaged, nor should they be. It can feel like a thankless job at times, and I’ve seen this dynamic lead to frustration, and burnout. On the flip side, those who are leading worship often feel the pressure of the entire room looking at them to lead, while they expose their vocal or musical talent, which can be a vulnerable, sensitive position. A few harsh words during a rehearsal or an uncaring exchange can quickly bring down the energy and enthusiasm of either team, and that’s not good for anyone.

So, How Do We Bridge the Gap?

It starts with mutual respect and a willingness to communicate. I encourage those on the platform to take the time to understand what’s going on behind the sound booth. Step into the audio engineer’s space and get a feel for what they’re working with, and the challenges they may be having from week to week. Recognize that their job is complex—they’re often getting feedback from every “expert” in the room on how “loud” the audio should be during any given service.   

I would encourage those on the tech team to not stay hidden in your box. Get out from behind the booth and get onto the platform. Stand where your instrumentalists and singers are, listen to what they’re hearing, and meet them where they are. You might be surprised at how much clarity this brings to the situation.

Pro Tip: A little encouragement before diving into constructive feedback goes a long way.

Church Expansion while Enhancing the Worship Experience

International Christian Center (ICC) is a vibrant church community with locations in Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico. Led by their current pastor since 2020, ICC serves both English and Spanish-speaking congregations. However, as both communities grew, they began competing for the prime time Sunday morning service, creating a logistical challenge. To address this, ICC decided to expand their previously unused North Brownsville satellite campus to better serve the English-speaking congregation, while continuing to modernize their central campus for the Spanish congregation.

The Challenge

With their English congregation at full capacity, ICC needed to expand without compromising the quality of their worship services. Their goal was to create a space where congregants could gather and watch a live video feed of the service being broadcasted from the Brownsville campus. But ICC’s needs went beyond just a screen and a few speakers; they wanted a system that could grow with them—a future-proof setup capable of evolving with the church’s needs.

Their objectives included:

• Creating an audio system that could deliver full, immersive sound without overwhelming the space.
• Developing a video infrastructure that would allow seamless broadcasting between campuses.
• Ensuring the equipment would be easy to use for a volunteer-based tech team, with minimal ongoing support needed.
• Staying on budget while completing the project on a tight timeline.

In short, they needed a comprehensive solution that would keep both volunteers and congregants happy, while being flexible enough for future upgrades.

The Solution 

To bring ICC’s vision to life, they partnered with CCI Solutions for the design and installation of their new AV system. The process kicked off with a collaborative design workshop where the CCI team sat down with ICC’s worship leaders, production director, and pastors. These discussions helped clarify the church’s needs and goals, for which CCI presented a plan that balanced ICC’s immediate priorities with room for future enhancements.

Spencer Clem, Consultant, CCI Solutions

As a consultant specializing in church AVL (audio, video, lighting) system integration, my goal is to help clients and partners enhance their knowledge and confidence in operating these systems effectively. Two of the most powerful yet often underutilized features I regularly encounter are Scene Safe and Focus Recall. By optimizing these functions, churches can significantly improve their worship experience and overall AVL system efficiency.

Scene Safes: What You Don’t Want to Recall

Let's start with Scene Safes. Essentially, Scene Safes are the parameters or settings you want to protect when loading the next scene. Imagine you've dialed in the perfect microphone gain or monitor mix. The last thing you want is for those settings to change when you switch scenes. That's where Scene Safes come into play. You can lock in those critical settings, ensuring consistency throughout the service, no matter how many scenes you load.

For example, if your vocal channels are set just right, you can make sure they stay that way even as other aspects of the mix adapt. It's all about preserving what’s essential and letting the rest of the mix work its magic. This is especially useful in live performances where consistency is key, and you don't want to risk messing up something as crucial as microphone levels.

Focus Recall: What You Do Want to Recall

Related, Focus Recall allows you to zero in on specific elements of a scene—just the parts you want to change. Instead of loading every parameter within a scene, you can recall specific parameters of specific channels, like a group of channels, effects, or fader levels. Once you’ve dialed in your Focus Recall settings, it can be a lifesaver when you need to make quick adjustments during live events.

For instance, say you need to fade in and out of pre-service music. Instead of manually adjusting multiple channels, you can simply put it all in a scene that only recalls the fader positions. Everything else remains unaffected. This targeted recall not only simplifies the process but also keeps things running smoothly without interrupting the flow of the service.

Why Is This Question Important?

The drive toward wireless systems often stems from a desire for convenience and freedom to move around.  The benefits are clear: no more cables to trip over and fewer restrictions on movement for cameras and other equipment. However, there are also key considerations to keep in mind. While going wireless can solve some problems, it may also introduce new ones that could impact your church’s live events.

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Prioritize People Before Tech

When considering whether to go wireless or stick with wired systems, it’s essential to remember that technology should serve your church's mission, not overshadow it. Choosing the right AVL setup and the right integrator is about more than just the latest gadgets; it’s about enhancing your ability to connect with your congregation.

The best AVL integrators will understand that your church's needs go beyond technical specifications. They’ll take the time to understand your congregation's needs and ensure that the technology, wired or wireless or a mix of the two, supports your vision for worship.The goal is always to enhance the connection between your leaders and your congregation.