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Church Projector
- Thread starter jbh28
- Start date
We have several in our different venues. Do you have the projector yet? Do you have the capability to do rear project? How much have you budgeted?
If you have clear wall space, I would highly recommend projecting directly onto the wall. There is special projector paint (expensive) that is highly reflective, but there are less expensive alternatives...our church just projects on to the regular wall paint, and it works pretty good, with the added advantage that when the projectors are turned off, you don't see any screens at all. Other churches hang a screen that drops down with a motor, so you can hide it when not is use these work well too.
I'd say the two main things to keep in mind are:
(1) Brightness...make sure it's bright enough... Go for at least 3,000-4,000 lumens for a normal sanctuary...more if it is already really bright in there. Go to a few churches in your area that have them and ask what lumens they have and if they are satisfied with them. (it is OK to ask churches that are not on the same theological spectrum as you, as this is merely a technical question)
(2) Don't put the screen too high so people have to strain their necks to read it. This is often not considered, but is important if people will be looking at this thing for 20 mins straight or so.
One more thing, I highly recommend getting a specific software to project the song lyrics (either EasyWorship, MediaShout, or ProPresenter [macs only]). If you are only using Powerpoint, you will spend more time making slideshows than you want to.
I'd say the two main things to keep in mind are:
(1) Brightness...make sure it's bright enough... Go for at least 3,000-4,000 lumens for a normal sanctuary...more if it is already really bright in there. Go to a few churches in your area that have them and ask what lumens they have and if they are satisfied with them. (it is OK to ask churches that are not on the same theological spectrum as you, as this is merely a technical question)
(2) Don't put the screen too high so people have to strain their necks to read it. This is often not considered, but is important if people will be looking at this thing for 20 mins straight or so.
One more thing, I highly recommend getting a specific software to project the song lyrics (either EasyWorship, MediaShout, or ProPresenter [macs only]). If you are only using Powerpoint, you will spend more time making slideshows than you want to.
Actually, ProPresenter (what I use) is on Windows as well now!! It's been out for about 9 months and seems to work great.
For the OP: You can get a company to help you out with at least some suggestions. Get a good bright projector and realize that new bulbs are a few hundred dollars. That shocked me!!
I agree about the paint. One of our campuses did this and we even framed out the area that is projected on so it looks REALLY good. Our home campus has a screen from the ceiling and then our campus that meets in a hotel uses the hotel's portable screen that is wonky and drives me nuts but it works good enough.
We just bought a new projector and screen for our home church and it was very costly but we went pretty high quality and a custom screen so I know you could do it for less. I'd definitely recommend you get at least someone who knows this kind of stuff in to help you out.
The Rule of Thumb used to be for good quality expect to pay $1 per lumen...but prices have dropped so you can get a good 3,000 lumen projector for around $1,000 or $1,500.... if you go for really bright (6,000) you'll expect to pay around 2-3k ...plus the mounting hardware. which could run another 100-200. Long cords ($50-100).
This is not counting a computer to run it, or a screen.
If your room is wider than it is long, 2 projectors is probably what you want, and you may want to consider putting one on the back wall (or a big TV) so the people on the platform can see what everyone else sees.
This is not counting a computer to run it, or a screen.
If your room is wider than it is long, 2 projectors is probably what you want, and you may want to consider putting one on the back wall (or a big TV) so the people on the platform can see what everyone else sees.
gators_2006
New Member
We have a screen that is mounted above the baptismal. When it is lowered, it blocks most of the baptismal opening in the wall. I have been to some other churches that had both front and rear facing projectors. That way, the choir can sing the praise and worship songs without needing song sheets. Nice idea, but is it really worth the cost.
The other thing to keep in mind is, have someone who is very computer knowledgeable run the slides during service. Theres nothing like having someone miss their que and be a slide off during a song and frantically moving forward and backwards trying to find out where they are. Always a good laugh when you are in the choir singing praise and worship. You hear the whole church singing and then it gets quiet and you just see people humming and looking around making up their own words. What great times they can be.
The other thing to keep in mind is, have someone who is very computer knowledgeable run the slides during service. Theres nothing like having someone miss their que and be a slide off during a song and frantically moving forward and backwards trying to find out where they are. Always a good laugh when you are in the choir singing praise and worship. You hear the whole church singing and then it gets quiet and you just see people humming and looking around making up their own words. What great times they can be.
"CONFIDENCE" PROJECTOR ON REAR WALL: We have had screens for the congregation for years. We just purchased the equipment for an extra one on the back wall (projector, cords, mounting hardware) for about $600 dollars. It is either 2600 or 3000 lumens, and was $350 for the projector. I did the purchasing. I hope to mount it next week when a church member will help me get a powered lift. Then we'll see if it really helps the choir and praise team or not.
COMPETENT SLIDE ADVANCERS: This is another reason to get a software specifically made for church songs. There is a learning curve, but they are generally easier to find your place than powerpoint. Especially if one knowledgeable person creates the slideshow...you can easily train several people to simply run the show.
DiamondLady
New Member
We are a VERY small church and so did ours on a limited budget. We purchased the projector at Office Depot for around $600 and the screen (motorized, lowers from the ceiling) at Kingdom Tapes and I do believe that was about $300. IIRC. The pastor and wife had a laptop computer which they used for a while then we purchased on for him to use. All in all we've got a system that works really well for less than $1500.00. Our projector is not mounted on the rear wall, it sits on a stand near the pulpit and the pastor has a laser clicker he uses to change the powerpoint himself.
While it's not a fancy system, we do not have a large church nor a multi-media team. It works for us. It serves the purpose intended. We do not project our entire song service onto the screen (we actually still use hymnals and rarely publish any music on the screen.)
There are lots of options, my best advice....know what your purpose intended is then decide what your church can afford to spend. You can buy the latest state of the art equipment that would work in a huge megachurch and spend tens of thousands of dollars. Or you can spend less than $2000 and have a perfectly adequate system that serves the need of your church. It all depends on the size of your facility and what purpose you intend to use it for.
While it's not a fancy system, we do not have a large church nor a multi-media team. It works for us. It serves the purpose intended. We do not project our entire song service onto the screen (we actually still use hymnals and rarely publish any music on the screen.)
There are lots of options, my best advice....know what your purpose intended is then decide what your church can afford to spend. You can buy the latest state of the art equipment that would work in a huge megachurch and spend tens of thousands of dollars. Or you can spend less than $2000 and have a perfectly adequate system that serves the need of your church. It all depends on the size of your facility and what purpose you intend to use it for.
God I love you Jim, brother & Kinsman! Well said.
Guess Im a bit of a primitive minimalist here, I prefer churches without projectors. I have a dear friend who is both a Elder & has a secular job & his church just built a new church building (they mostly used their own labor).....his budget for keeping the doors open & the toilets flushing & the lights on is approx $10,000 per year.....imagine that! :applause:
Use the hymnals, or sing songs people know... What'cha gonna do if someone steals all the hymnals, or a tornado wipes out the whole building. The church continues! Projectors, hymnals, guitars, organs, & buildings are simply tools, useful but not to be worshiped.
quantumfaith
Active Member
:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
Our contemporary worship and service completely relies on technology and current (Music and Message). We have back up generators in case.
...well, it looks like the most of you folks have everything all tucked away nice and neat for that rainy day. Good for you.
The only Baptist Church I ever attended with the music projected on the wall was when said music was accompanied with a sax, a guitar, drums, banjo, an electric organ with speakers the size of a 1962 VW Beetle.
People went to jumping pews and dosey doe-ing in the isles and kicking up their heels along with the huggin' and the banging together of their hind parts and smiling at each other throwing their arms in the air praising God..., or their god..., or..., oh well. Enough, I suppose.
To each their own.
I don't really mind a little rock-an-roll (otherwise referred to as contemporary Christian music) on occasion but it can get out of control especially when one deacon notices his wife promenading down the other isle with some guy who's visiting for the first time.
But, again, to each their own.
...ya' all have fun now, ya' hear?
The only Baptist Church I ever attended with the music projected on the wall was when said music was accompanied with a sax, a guitar, drums, banjo, an electric organ with speakers the size of a 1962 VW Beetle.
People went to jumping pews and dosey doe-ing in the isles and kicking up their heels along with the huggin' and the banging together of their hind parts and smiling at each other throwing their arms in the air praising God..., or their god..., or..., oh well. Enough, I suppose.
To each their own.
I don't really mind a little rock-an-roll (otherwise referred to as contemporary Christian music) on occasion but it can get out of control especially when one deacon notices his wife promenading down the other isle with some guy who's visiting for the first time.
But, again, to each their own.
...ya' all have fun now, ya' hear?
quantumfaith
Active Member
We don't have any pew jumping, dancing or anything of the sort. Although some (a few) will raise hands during the music praise portion of our service. On my first visit, I went into "just knowing" I would not like it, now I would not have it any other way. Occasionally, some songs are a bit to "strong" for my tastes, but there were also hymns that I liked more than others.
About 35 years ago I visited a Baptist Church in upState Zoo York and couldn't help but notice the entire congregation appeared to be 70 plus years of age, including their pastor. During the service I audibly said, "Amen", in response to a comment the pastor made at which time about 3/4th of the congregation turned in their pews to see where it came from. They all looked at me.
I believe our Lord is quite capable of experiencing all the emotions customary to us humans. Why not? He provided us with those emotions to begin with.
When it comes to attendance in Church I am of the opinion that a certain amount of reverence is due. I do not believe any given church should be so conservative that a simple "Amen" disrupts the service nor do I believe that projecting music on a wall is a bad thing. There's nothing wrong with technology and we should use it to our advantage..., er uh, to the Lord's advantage in aiding to spread the Word. Many churches have websites. Nothing wrong with this at all.
My concern however is when this technology takes away. It was not uncommon at the last church I attended to see people texting each other during the service. Texting from one side of the church to the other. I certainly don't think they were discussing points raised by the pastor, the result of the topic at hand but rather, texting over worldly concerns. This has got to be annoying to the speaker.
I used to cringe when the pastor would ask if one had a Testimony to give. There was always somebody in the back of the Church ready, willing and able to expound on what "he" did that past week attempting to heap praise upon themselves.
We are instructed to confess our "faults" publicly. No where are we instructed to confess our "sins" publicly but often, folks offer more than anyone else deserves to hear.
A real church service, in my opinion, is a place for believers to congregate to praise; to worship; to have fun; to fellowship; to learn; to ask; to encourage; to help; and to otherwise be in ready for our Lord to use for His glory.
To me, a church service is not a place to shine. Not a place to show off the latest fashion in clothing nor to catch up on the gossip of the week nor, is church the place to show off the latest technology..., just for the sake of doing do.
Basic worship of our Lord has worked fine for the past how many thousands of years? ...but now we have to fix it?
Technological advances in any church service if deployed with the proper attitude for the intent and purpose of glorification of God, is great.
Short of the glory for our Lord is but wanting to keep up with the First Baptist Jones Church down the road.
I believe our Lord is quite capable of experiencing all the emotions customary to us humans. Why not? He provided us with those emotions to begin with.
When it comes to attendance in Church I am of the opinion that a certain amount of reverence is due. I do not believe any given church should be so conservative that a simple "Amen" disrupts the service nor do I believe that projecting music on a wall is a bad thing. There's nothing wrong with technology and we should use it to our advantage..., er uh, to the Lord's advantage in aiding to spread the Word. Many churches have websites. Nothing wrong with this at all.
My concern however is when this technology takes away. It was not uncommon at the last church I attended to see people texting each other during the service. Texting from one side of the church to the other. I certainly don't think they were discussing points raised by the pastor, the result of the topic at hand but rather, texting over worldly concerns. This has got to be annoying to the speaker.
I used to cringe when the pastor would ask if one had a Testimony to give. There was always somebody in the back of the Church ready, willing and able to expound on what "he" did that past week attempting to heap praise upon themselves.
We are instructed to confess our "faults" publicly. No where are we instructed to confess our "sins" publicly but often, folks offer more than anyone else deserves to hear.
A real church service, in my opinion, is a place for believers to congregate to praise; to worship; to have fun; to fellowship; to learn; to ask; to encourage; to help; and to otherwise be in ready for our Lord to use for His glory.
To me, a church service is not a place to shine. Not a place to show off the latest fashion in clothing nor to catch up on the gossip of the week nor, is church the place to show off the latest technology..., just for the sake of doing do.
Basic worship of our Lord has worked fine for the past how many thousands of years? ...but now we have to fix it?
Technological advances in any church service if deployed with the proper attitude for the intent and purpose of glorification of God, is great.
Short of the glory for our Lord is but wanting to keep up with the First Baptist Jones Church down the road.