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5 Mistakes Churches Make When Upgrading Their AVL Systems (and How to Avoid Them)

  • Writer: Ryan Hidalgo
    Ryan Hidalgo
  • Nov 30, 2024
  • 4 min read


Upgrading your church’s audio, video, and lighting (AVL) systems is a big step. It’s an investment in enhancing your worship services and creating an environment where people can connect with God and each other. But without careful planning, it’s easy to fall into some common traps that can lead to frustration, wasted money, and systems that don’t meet your church’s needs.


At The Church Guys, we’ve worked with churches of all sizes, and we’ve seen these mistakes happen over and over again. Thankfully, they’re avoidable! Here are five of the most common mistakes churches make when upgrading their AVL systems—and how to make sure you don’t fall into the same traps.


 


1. Overbuying or Buying the Wrong Equipment

One of the most common mistakes we see is when churches overextend their budget by purchasing top-tier gear that far exceeds their needs—or worse, buy the wrong equipment entirely. The result? Expensive gear that sits unused or is too complex for volunteers to operate.


For example, we once worked with a church that purchased a high-end digital console with features designed for large-scale productions. While it was an amazing piece of equipment, their volunteer team found it overwhelming, and the church only used a fraction of its capabilities.


How to Avoid It:

  • Start by assessing your church’s true needs. What size is your congregation? What types of events do you host?

  • Prioritize usability for your volunteer team over having the most advanced tech.

  • Partner with professionals who can help you identify the best gear for your space, vision, and budget.

  • Remember: Great AVL isn’t about having the latest gadgets—it’s about how well the system serves your ministry.


 

2. Skipping Volunteer Training

Even the most intuitive systems require some level of training to operate effectively. Without proper training, your team might feel overwhelmed, which can lead to poor execution during services. A lack of training also creates a bottleneck where only one or two people know how to use the system, leaving your church vulnerable if they’re unavailable.

We make it a point to spend one to two days at the end of every installation working with church teams, ensuring they feel confident and equipped to run the system.


How to Avoid It:

  • Budget for training. When planning your AVL upgrade, include time and resources for volunteer training as part of your project.

  • Create a system for ongoing education. Have a few key volunteers who can train new team members as they join.

  • Provide resources. Consider creating simple guides or video tutorials for volunteers to refer to later.


 


3. Neglecting the Room’s Acoustic and Visual Design

Your AVL gear is only as good as the space it’s in. Poor acoustics, bad sightlines, or unbalanced lighting can ruin the impact of even the best equipment.


For instance, we worked on a project where a church had fantastic audio gear, but the room’s acoustics caused uneven sound coverage. Once we addressed the room’s design with acoustic treatment and proper speaker placement, the system truly came alive.


How to Avoid It:

  • Evaluate your room before purchasing equipment.

  • Consider solutions like acoustic treatments, optimized speaker placement, or adding additional lighting fixtures for balance.

  • Work with a team that understands how to tailor AVL systems to fit unique spaces.


 

4. Focusing Solely on Gear, Not Vision

Your AVL system should support your church’s mission, not overshadow it. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new technology and lose sight of the purpose behind it.

We often remind churches to take a step back and ask, Does this align with our vision for worship? One church we worked with wanted a flashy stage design but realized that simpler elements better fit their congregation’s culture and worship style.


How to Avoid It:

  • Involve your leadership team in the planning process to ensure your AVL upgrades align with your church’s vision.

  • Use visual aids like 3D renderings or even simple hand drawings to communicate ideas effectively.

  • Keep the focus on how the equipment will enhance worship and connection, rather than just looking impressive.


 

5. Forgetting About Maintenance and Future Needs

Your AVL system is an investment, and like any investment, it requires care. Many churches forget to budget for ongoing maintenance or fail to plan for future upgrades, which can lead to unexpected costs and disruptions.

For example, we worked with a church that had a lighting system installed but didn’t realize they needed regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it functioning properly. After a few months, dust buildup caused some of the fixtures to fail, leading to costly repairs.


How to Avoid It:

  • Include maintenance as a line item in your AVL budget.

  • Partner with a company that offers ongoing support and service options.

  • Plan for growth by choosing scalable solutions. For instance, modular stage designs can easily adapt as your church’s needs evolve.


 


Bonus Mistake: Not Asking for Help

Some churches hesitate to reach out for professional guidance because they think it will be too expensive or unnecessary. But partnering with experts can actually save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.


At The Church Guys, we started by helping a friend who was being overcharged for AVL gear. By reviewing his quote and sourcing better options, we saved his church thousands of dollars—and that same spirit guides everything we do today.


 

The Bottom Line: Make Your Upgrade Count

Upgrading your AVL systems is an exciting opportunity to create a more impactful worship experience. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure your investment truly serves your church’s mission.


If you’re planning an upgrade and want expert guidance, we’d love to help. Whether it’s a free consultation, equipment recommendations, or full-service installations, we’re here to partner with you to create a system that works for your budget, space, and vision.


Let’s make it happen—together.


 

 
 
 

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