Blog | Stage
Safety First: Why Proper Process Matters When Hanging Production Equipment
Hanging production equipment—like lights, speakers, trusses, or projection gear—may not be the most glamorous part of church tech ministry, but it might be the most critical. Improperly rigged equipment doesn’t just put your investment at risk—it puts people’s lives at risk. In many churches, production systems have evolved quickly. What started with a few clamp lights and extensi...
Read More10 Controversial Topics in Church Production
Church production has grown dramatically over the last few decades—encompassing audio, video, lighting, livestreaming, and visual elements. With that growth has come a wide range of conversations, debates, and tensions. While production tools can enhance worship, they also raise important questions about theology, community, and authenticity. Here are 10 of the most controversial and talk...
Read MoreBegin with Budget: Don’t Start Production Upgrades Without a Bottom Line
Upgrading your church’s production equipment can be exciting—better sound, sharper visuals, smoother livestreams, and a more immersive worship experience. But before you start comparing LED walls or debating Dante vs. analog, there’s one crucial place to begin: Your budget. It may not be flashy, but it’s foundational. Without a clear, well-defined budget, even the most well-i...
Read MoreWhy More Churches Are Embracing Natural Light in Worship Spaces
For years now, the modern worship environment has been defined by dark rooms, blacked-out ceilings, moving lights, and LED walls. While production-heavy settings bring exciting energy and creative freedom, a quiet shift is happening in many churches: a return to natural light. From floor-to-ceiling windows to strategically placed skylights and open-air spaces, churches are rediscovering the...
Read MoreEnhancing Worship Slides with Seasonal Nature Motion Backgrounds
Using motion video backgrounds in worship services can powerfully enhance the atmosphere—and when it’s nature-based and seasonal, it can really help develop a sense of time and place. The organic motion of clouds, fields, mountains, or waterfalls creates a sense of connection to God’s creativity and presence. Here’s how to use these visuals with purpose, not distraction. 1. Anchor Worsh...
Read MoreTips & Tricks for Planning Summer Outdoor Services at Your Church
There’s something special about worshiping outdoors—whether it’s under the morning sun or in the cool of a summer evening. People tend to relax a little more, families come out in larger numbers, and the fresh air brings a sense of openness that can’t be replicated indoors. But hosting an outdoor service also comes with its own unique challenges. From sound systems to song lyrics to ...
Read MorePlanning Big Worship Services Without Losing Who You Are
As worship pastors, we know the big days are coming—Easter, Christmas, Good Friday, maybe even a church anniversary or a special outreach weekend. These are high-impact opportunities where guests are more likely to attend, the room is often fuller, and the expectations (both spoken and unspoken) are high. It’s natural to want to do something special—to raise the bar, get creative, and cre...
Read MoreShould Your Church Invest in Original Worship Music?
In today’s worship culture, it’s easy to be inspired by churches that are consistently writing and releasing original music. Their songs resonate deeply within their communities and often spread far beyond them. It’s a beautiful picture—and one that naturally leads other churches to ask: Should we be doing that too? The short answer? Maybe. Writing and introducing original worship music...
Read MoreRefreshing the Sanctuary: Blending Tradition with Modern Worship
For churches with older or more traditional sanctuaries, the challenge of transitioning into a space that supports modern worship can feel daunting. High ceilings, pews, stained glass, and pipe organs were built for a different era—but that doesn’t mean they’re obsolete. In fact, there’s incredible beauty and spiritual weight in worshiping where generations have encountered God. ...
Read MoreWhy the Details Matter (Even If No One Notices)
In the world of church production and worship, the best Sundays often go unnoticed. The lights transition smoothly, the lyrics appear on time, the sound is clean, and the worship flows without distraction. Ironically, when everything works as it should, most people don’t say a word—they’re too focused on worshiping, listening, or praying. But when something breaks or misses the mark, it can ...
Read MoreHospitality in Worship?
As followers of Christ, we’re called to love and serve others. One of the most profound ways we do this in the church is by practicing hospitality. While hospitality often brings to mind prayer teams, coffee stations, and friendly greeters, it’s essential to recognize that the work of music and production teams plays a vital role in creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere for everyone who...
Read More5 Tips to Make Your Production Better Today
As creatives, we're always on a journey to make the things we're working on better. God is glorified when we use our gifts, talents, and skills to reflect his glory and declare his goodness. In today's creative landscape, however, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the thought of improving. The connectedness that the internet affords us gives us access to countless massive churches and creative ...
Read MorePreparing for Easter Services as a Worship Pastor
Easter is a great day for celebration in the church! It’s also a great day for a gallon of coffee, nerves, anxiety, and stress... If you’re a worship pastor of course. We kid, but if you are a worship pastor, you can probably relate on some level. The only reason those of us in the church get stressed about Easter is because we recognize how important of a holiday it is. There’s going to ...
Read MoreDesigning Your Youth Ministry Room to Match Your Series
The visual impact of the space your youth ministry meets in can make a subtle, but significant difference in the way your sermon series are received. The lighting, color, and arrangement of your room can be a big piece that influences whether your messages feel introspective or community-minded, energetic or subdued. We want to create atmospheres that are inviting and engaging, and the design of t...
Read MoreSelecting Appropriate Backgrounds for Worship Songs
When it comes to creating an engaging worship service, visuals are can be an important part of your production. If you're reading this, you probably already using motion backgrounds for your lyrics, or you're considering adding them in. It can be a challenge to find the right motion backgrounds to pair with your lyrics, but if done well, the result can truly be remarkable. Let’s take a look at h...
Read MoreShould Your Worship Team Start Using a Click Track?
Every worship pastor wants their band to sound tight, consistent and precise. But how do you get there? The answer might be a click track. So what exactly is a click track and why should your team consider using one? In this post, I’ll discuss the pros and cons of using a click track with your worship team so you can make an informed decision on whether it’s right for your church. Is a Cli...
Read MoreWhen Should You Start Planning Your Christmas Church Services?
What if I told you that it’s possible to relax during the week leading up to Christmas, even as a senior pastor, worship pastor, or tech director? I know, I know, sounds crazy, right? While December 22nd is traditionally reserved for crippling anxiety and last-minute service planning, I’m here to tell you that it’s possible to be prepared and give yourself space to soak in the holiness of th...
Read MoreWhen Someone Says The Music Is Too Loud
If your church plays modern, pop/rock style worship songs, you’ve likely heard this complaint: “The music is too loud”. For those of us who are musicians and tech team members, this can be frustrating feedback. You’ve put hours into preparing the service and the environment, and instead of focusing on the impact the service is having, you’re staring down what can feel like an endless st...
Read MoreTips for Elevating Your Youth Ministry’s Set Design
Stage design is a powerful tool for creating atmosphere and setting the tone for your youth to connect with God and each other. When done well, set and stage design has the ability to elevate the impact of what you are sharing from the stage. When done poorly or without much consideration, it has the potential to distract and take away from your overall message. Most youth ministries have littl...
Read MoreHire or Contract? Sound Professional Edition
Most churches find it important to have someone available to run sound for rehearsals and services. While some are lucky enough to have a sound-board-savvy volunteer on the roster, most of us find that hiring a professional either to be on staff or contracting week to week can be a simple way to elevate production quality. When it comes to contracting or hiring, how do you know which route is b...
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