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Tim Cool, Cool Solutions Group
The Head-Clip can transform a lavalier into a headworn microphone, as well as transform many single ear microphones into a dual ear microphone.
The new Fusion Series Pull-Out mounts (LSMVU/MSMVU) extend 7” (178 mm) for easy cable access and servicing in hard-to-reach installations.
House of Prayer in Montpelier, Ohio, outgrew their building, and decided to renovate an old department store. Fypon decorative millwork transforms the old, empty building into a church.
Large dentil moulding and brackets were installed over the pulpit platform, and unique Fypon mouldings highlight the sound booth area and other parts of the room.
In the foyer, dental and crown mouldings carry out the cohesive look, along with three additional interior door surrounds and ceiling medallions.
Slate Portable
Indiana Avenue Baptist Church (IABC) in Lubbock, Texas, was inspired by a mission of discipleship and a desire to serve families with children.
Dallas-based BASIC Architecture and Interiors worked in a collaborative, Integrated Project Delivery approach with church staff and builder Goff Cos., also of Dallas, to help the church realize a new 30,000-square-foot building made up of tilt-wall concrete construction and a steel superstructure.
IABC’s administration and education pastor, Michael Menasco, says the church made a conscious decision to create space ideal for children. The church and its design team created a blue and green-hued children’s ministry area that stands out and speaks to kids.
A bright blue rotunda is just one of the elements of this new space that helps get little occupants ready for church and for action.
Architectural designer BASIC Architecture and Interiors finds that some special ingredients can help make a children’s space shine. Principal Stephen Pickard reports that a lot of color, as well as attention to geometries and volume, helps “activate” IABC’s new children’s space.
In designing the independent wings of IABC, all parties involved in the design process agreed to do away with the institutional feel of classroom-lined corridors—finding these corridors to be outdated and not helpful in getting kids excited about church. Instead, some of the potentially wasted hallway space forms common areas for gathering and movement all throughout the facility.
TDK Design’s Courtclean Damp Mop System. Designed to save time mopping sports floors and hardwood floors and money savings on labor throughout the course of a year.
Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder and CEO, Joni & Friends
School’s Out for Sunday (Photo courtesy of ArchitectureIsFun)
(Children’s space drawing courtesy of ArchitectureIsFun Inc)
A number of children’s ministry design experts report that the typical Sunday school classroom is no longer the space most conducive to teaching young children about God. Experts often advise church leaders to consider adaptable spaces instead that are age-appropriate and help fuel both a child’s imagination and a pastor’s or volunteer’s teaching potential. Shown here, a combination of indoors and outdoors at St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church in Chicago, created by Chicago’s ArchitectureIsFun (Photo courtesy of ArchitectureIsFun)
Stephen R. Boyd, associate and project manager, ADW Architects P.A., Charlotte, NC
Bruce Barry, president and founder, Wacky World Studios, Oldsmar, FL
David Pfeifer, principal, Domusstudio Architecture, San Diego, CA
Donnie Haulk, president, Audio Ethics Inc., Charlotte, NC
: Reagan Hillier, president, Worlds of Wow, Argyle, TX
Sharon Exley, president, ArchitectureIsFun Inc., Chicago, IL
“[Our facilities management system] provides the flexibility so that each church can set it up differently…. If you have 50 kids come in to do a certain activity, that room is not going to be as clean as when 50 mothers have used it.” John Conlon, president, FacilityTree, Carol Stream, IL
“By doing things on a more proactive basis, and planning out preventive cleaning tasks, you can actually reduce the cost and the time involved to do the routine and corrective cleaning. You also extend the life of the product.” Tim Cool, president and chief solutions officer, Cool Solutions Group, Charlotte, NC
“It starts at the street and works its way in. You’ve got to deal with curb appeal all the way to the cleanliness of things like door handles.” Doug Mefford, facilities manager, First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA
“Carpet is such a major expense in the average facility that it is generally a wise investment to have a way to regularly maintain it in-house, even if you bring in an outside contractor on an annual or semi-annual basis to clean the entire facility.” Mike Schaffer, president, Tornado Industries, Chicago, IL
Representatives from safe-cleaning chemical provider Enviro-Solutions, such as president and general manager Mike Sawchuk, say it’s easier than ever for church staff to know they’re using a truly “green” cleaning product. If cleaning solutions are proven green, they’ll bear the seal of organizations like EcoLogo and Green Seal, and they’ll pose less of a health impact on those doing the cleaning, attendees at the church and, of course, the environment.
Facilities management experts report that keeping churches well maintained and clean helps reduce maintenance costs—a fact that any home or building owner can attest to. Being proactive with routine maintenance and cleaning, then, is the key to keeping costs in check. (Stock images provided by Cool Solutions Group.)
TKH Design’s Courtclean Damp Mop System is a product designed to save time mopping sports floors and hardwood floors. The time savings is also reported to equal money savings on labor throughout the course of a year, as well as savings on cleaning solution, mops and buckets required by traditional mopping. (Image courtesy of TKH Design/Courtclean.)
“Most churches end up going through two or three sound systems…. Churches should not be afraid to get expert advice. It may be more cost-effective in the long run to hire a qualified audio consultant.” Tom Bensen, vice president, Powersoft Advanced Technologies LLC, Farmingdale, NY
WhisperRoom Inc. of Morristown, Tenn., manufactures sound isolation enclosures for recording. Twenty sizes and two levels of sound isolation are available, including a Standard (single wall) and an Enhanced (double wall). Learn more at http://www.whisperroom.com.
Yamaha M7CL Digital Audio Console
Jim Tomberlin, former megachurch pastor, pioneer in the multi-site movement, and founder, president and senior strategist of Third Quarter Consulting, Scottsdale, AZ
Scott Rolfs, managing director of the Church and School Financing Division, Ziegler, Chicago, IL
Mel Stewart got the idea to write sayings on church signs, and so changeable copy signs altered the landscape into a spiritually thought-provoking invitation to church.
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Coram, NY, has an interior design with a combination of a double-height volume evoking a sense of grandeur and materials and colors meant to provide peaceful surroundings
Three family service rooms provide cozy, warm, and relaxed surroundings for families meeting with the cemetery employees
The exterior compliments the brown granite section of the façade and includes brick banding around and below the windows.
Jerry Lawson, national manager, U.S. EPA Energy Star Congregations, Washington, DC
Elevation Church is in Charlotte, N.C. They are a young, growing, multi-site church. (Photos supplied by Elevation Church)
Jim Tomberlin is founder and senior strategist of MultiSite Solutions
Many churches today are opting for space makeovers to create more comfortable environments for fellowship in common areas and to fit more people into existing sanctuaries and worship spaces. Manufacturers and architects report that seating provides a cost-effective way to help freshen up existing spaces. Shown here, comfortable seating variations in the student center at Mariners Church, Irvine, Calif. (Photo courtesy of Visioneering Studios and PlainJoe Studios)
Larry Mitchell with Boise, Idaho’s Church Connect reports that some traditional churches are sticking with pews but upgrading for added amenities, such as coffee cup holders. (Photos courtesy of Church Connect)
Larry Mitchell with Boise, Idaho’s Church Connect reports that some traditional churches are sticking with pews but upgrading for added amenities, such as coffee cup holders. (Photos courtesy of Church Connect)
Ron Ogden, vice president of sales, Series Seating, Miami, FL
David Dial, president, Living Stones Architecture, Charlotte, NC
Bruce Prock, vice president of sales and marketing, Bertolini Inc., Chino, CA
Author, innovation and commercial real estate consultant and Mindshift Thought Leader Rex Miller. Miller’s ideas are modeled on Apple Stores’ Genius Bars, where Mac owners can go for tutorials on how to take advantage of their computers’ facets and technology in general.
The most effective third places to date are reportedly designed as a “front door” where the unchurched can feel comfortable getting their feet wet in a church setting. In the future, fourth places may offer hubs for even greater connection for tech-savvy 20-somethings, according to “The Millennium Matrix” author Rex Miller. Shown here, Port City Community Church in Wilmington, N.C., designed by local Urban Design Architect P.A.
Third places can give busy moms a place to hang out and bring the kids. The overall benefit to churches is that people slow down in these meeting places, talk, share life challenges and experiences, and find a comfort level they may never otherwise experience in church.
“You get more by being generous than you do by being cheap. You have to do this with excellence, completeness and the right equipment, training and design. It’s no different from pulling off an amazing church service or event that people want to come back to.” — Michael Trent, founder, idea engineer, Third Place Consulting, Birmingham, AL
Front: Beth Bolles, Ellis Vestal, Christine Morgan; Back: Madeleine Dial and David Dial
Grace Community Church just outside Indianapolis is a megachurch with an up-close and personal feel in its worship services. A newly designed and constructed 1,650-seat South Auditorium addition, designed by architect Kevin Callahan, founder of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Callahan Studios Soul Space, lends a participatory environment where everyone can see and hear each other and what’s happening on the platform. (Photo courtesy of Jason Lavengood)
Grace’s space is designed with a zero-elevation 84-foot by 40-foot platform for worship surrounded by 270 degrees of seating, meaning that the area some churches call their “stage” is on floor level. The end result, according to staffers at Grace, is a highly participatory environment where the pastor feels connected to attendees and attendees feel connected to both one another and the entire worship experience. (Photo courtesy Grace Community Church)
The design of Grace’s technological systems is in sync with its room design. According to David Wagner, the church’s senior facilities director, every piece of audio-visual and lighting equipment was designed to help reinforce the up-close and connected worship experience. (Photo courtesy of Jason Lavengood)
The revolutionary platform design features six removable video screens behind the stage—part of nine total Stewart Filmscreen custom screens that serve the room’s participants. Because of the room’s design, sightlines are good for everyone to see the action on the platform and the screens.
Don Lawson, principal, Lawson Group Architects Inc., Sarasota, FL
Soma of Christ in Tuscaloosa, Ala., built a 6,000-square-foot facility in a seven-acre grassy field off the rural roads in the heartland of its community. The church first met in an existing four-bedroom house on the property until growth pushed them to build. The original “home” feeling was carried over into the new structure, designed by Marcum Architects, also of Tuscaloosa. (Photo courtesy Jaimie Champagne)
Soma’s new home, a pre-engineering metal frame structure, was constructed by general contractor B.G. Watkins Construction Co. of Tuscaloosa, Ala. Inside, the facility radiates a natural, home-like feel achieved by interior designer and member Shannon Dogan. Warm taupe and crimson colors mingle together to create an environment where the community can come inside and linger. Durable, inexpensive and easy-toclean vinyl faux wood flooring is found underfoot in the common areas. (Photo courtesy Jaimie Champagne)
The 200-seat sanctuary features a richer shade of taupe on the walls, complemented by red and gold broadloom carpet and both chocolate brown and golden beige movable chairs. Pastor Shaun Faulkner reports that the facility is equipped with a warming pantry right off the sanctuary, and that the chairs can be moved and situated to accommodate fellowship functions and dinners. (Photo courtesy Jaimie Champagne)
In the sanctuary, at the base of four steps that lead up to the chancel, are special wood-crafted altars that were donated to Soma of Christ. The sanctuary has yet to receive an audio-visual overhaul, but MediaMerge of Chelsea, Ala., has designed a full system that will be installed once the needed funds are raised. (Photo courtesy Jaimie Champagne)
(Photo courtesy Jamie Champagne)
“[The appearance of the church] makes you feel like you’re coming to a friend’s house for a gathering.” —Graves Watkins, president, B.G. Watkins Construction Co., Tusc aloosa, AL
“Our church loves the campus and uses the grounds for family pictures, picnics and weddings. We didn’t want to lose those opportunities.” —Shaun Faulkner, pastor, Soma of Christ, Tuscaloosa, AL
“It was a challenge to make a metal building look like a church while keeping a residential feel, but by using a variety of exterior finishes, a low eave height, and adding a wrap-around porch we were able to achieve what we envisioned.” —Shannon Dogan, interior designer and member, Soma of Christ, Tuscaloosa, AL
“The architecture of the church was designed to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood in material and scale. At the same time, materials and colors were selected to provide warmth and an organic setting for gathering and worship.” —Bruce Mitchell, associate principal and project architect, Marcum Architects, Tuscaloosa, AL
Jerry Lawson, national manager of U.S. EPA Energy Star Congregations
St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church in the heart of Chicago features a children’s garden that was originally a small, unused alley space. Experts say that small churches with small budgets can oftentimes create excellent children’s spaces with a little guidance, creativity, and elbow grease from volunteers. (Photo courtesy of ArchitectureIsFun Inc.)
Granger, Ind.’s Granger Community Church offers children a Big Fish-themed learning space. The children’s space is entered by sliding down through a giant fish, designed by Chicago-based ArchitectureIsFun Inc. (Photo courtesy of ArchitectureIsFun Inc)
Tobin Neis, marketing manager, Barbizon Lighting Co., New York, NY
Craig B. Austin, certified rigger, Stage Services Co., Portland, OR
In comparison to a 250-watt fixture, the Platinum Spot 5R not only weighs 50% less, but emits twice the output, uses 25% less energy, while measuring 2/3 the size.
Gefen HDMI over CAT5 Wall Plate Extender requires no power supplies to send HDMI at 1080p full HD over two CAT-5/6 cables up to 75 feet (23m) in distance.
Jerry Lawson is national manager of Energy Star’s Small Business and Congregations Network. For more information visit http://www.energystar.gov or call toll-free at (888) 782-7937.
The Family Life Center at Lakeview Baptist Church in Hartsville, S.C., recently added fiber cement stone textured paneling in gray to its exterior. The fiber cement panels were reportedly installed using a clip system that required no special tools or labor, significantly shortening the installation process. (Photo courtesy of Nichiha.)
Jeffrey Rodman, president and CEO, Here-4-You Consulting & Grant Writing, Front Royal, VA
Kregg Hood, senior vice president, AG Financial Solutions, Springfield, MO
Jeff Hawkins, executive director, Christian Security Network, Cincinatti, OH
CyberLock by Videx Inc. is an electronic, battery-powered key that communicates with a lock cylinder installed within existing door hardware. CyberLock tracks who has access, why and when, and each key can be programmed for limited access and privileges to specific jobs and responsibilities. If lost, the electronic CyberLock can be simply deactivated. (Photo courtesy of Videx Inc)
Steve Caton, vice president, Church Community Builder, Colorado Springs, CO
Jerry Drew, president, NetworkThermostat, Grapevine, TX
Michael Garrison, president, Michael Garrison Associates (MGA), Fresno, CA
Tim Whitehorn, founder and CEO, ServiceU, Memphis, TN
John Conlin, president, FacilityTree, Carol Stream, IL
The Gathering in Sevierville, Tenn., nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, was designed by CDH Partners of Marietta, Ga., to foster community connection and bring people together with God. The church’s new mountain-lodge facility combines God-honoring reverence and comfortable gathering places. (All photos by Judy Cravy, JC Photography, http://www.judycravy.com.)
Inside the worship center, the audio-visual equipment is on par with top-notch local entertainment venues. According to Houston Clark of Clark Pro Media in Alpharetta, Ga., the project’s A/V/L designer and consultant, video on an 11-foot by 20-foot center screen and video shot for broadcast in the local area are not compromised due to careful placement of windows.
The Gathering is designed to encourage social interaction. An important area is the Gathering Space where comfortable seating and a warm stone fireplace, branded with the signature “g,” await members, visitors and tourists. Here, floor-to-ceiling windows add natural light and provide mountain views, and wood columns and timber-beamed ceilings add to the zone of comfort. Nearby is “Grounded,” a coffee bar that adds to the invitation to linger.
Pastor Gene Wolfenbarger envisioned a facility where the church’s youngest attendees wouldn’t be cramped. In the new building, attendees with children can park and enter at an ample first-floor KIDZPLAYCE children’s area. Adults can then take a nearby elevator to the Gathering Space and worship center.
“The Gathering needed a place where people could interact, a place where the children weren’t cramped, and where transition between services wasn’t chaos due to lack of space.” Gene Wolfenbarger, pastor, The Gathering, Sevierville, TN
“A new attendee described the church as ‘excellence without arrogance. Those three words seem to encompass what The Gathering is,” continues Pastor Wolfenbarger.
: “The very name ‘The Gathering’ provided the initial concepts for the [design]—a place that gathers everyone: members and visitors, churched and non-churched, congregation and community.” Bill Chegwidden, founding principal, CDH Partners, Marietta, GA
"A large silver “g” is suspended from the building itself—and another is carved into the property’s entry flower bed. “We have been consistent with our branding and the use of the ‘g.’ It’s on everything, external and internal.” Darla Walker, broadcast and communications director, The Gathering, Sevierville, TN
“The cross on top lets people know it is a church, but the modern and upbeat design says a lot more than a steeple on top of a brick and mortar building.” Chuck Laney, president, C. Laney & Sons Construction, Sevierville, TN
“Working together we were able to maintain the owner’s desire to integrate the outdoors into the worship center by identifying locations for windows that did not negatively impact the acoustics.” Houston Clark, president, Clark Pro Media, Alpharetta, GA
Multi-site Elevation Church in Charlotte, N.C., opened its first semi-permanent, leased facility—the Matthews location—in a retail center at the end of August. The renovated Ashley Furniture Warehouse-turned-church was designed by nationwide Visioneering Studios. The new space is helping the eclectic young church set a brand for its other multi-sites to follow and, most important of all, is helping staff carry out its vision of leading the unchurched into a relationship with Jesus Christ. (All photos courtesy PlainJoe Studios)
Inside, Elevation Church manages to facilitate relationship, but not to intimidate. Visitors find stained concrete flooring that was inherited from the previous tenant, a pre-function lobby to hang out and ask questions, and a wide access area into the worship auditorium where Pastor Steven Furtick is videotaped each week. Sometimes Furtick appears live at the Matthews location on Sunday, and sometimes he’s live at one of the other two sites. If Furtick is elsewhere, a 22-foot screen comes down and a high definition image of the pastor looks nearly like he’s preaching live.
An integral element of Elevation’s inviting interior look and ease of navigation is professional graphics and wayfinding signage designed by PlainJoe Studios of Corona, Calif. The church also shoots fresh photography from its three sites to supply images for an interior history wall where it chronicles the birth and movement of the church. On the exterior, though, no overt signage can be found at the Matthews location because of the landlord’s stipulation that tenants should not market themselves within the retail complex.
: Elevation’s auditorium required some major renovation to make the once-retail space worthy of both a loud-rocking praise band and crystal-clear spoken word. Builder Cogun of North Lima, Ohio, had to remove one existing support column in the building and replace it with a massive overhead beam to make the space work and thrive for the church’s objectives. Audio-visual designer and consultant Design 2020 of Harrisburg, N.C., was tasked with making sure the sound is right and the sightlines are excellent to capture video of Pastor Furtick for the other multi-sites. (Photo courtesy of Design 2020)
The new Matthews location also houses Elevation’s EKidz ministry, with a worship auditorium and classrooms for children 6 weeks-5th grade. Office space is also part of the building renovation, as well as an easily accessible conference room, called The Garage, that uses the space’s existing garage doors.
“Churches have to face the fact that they’ll have to bring these [existing] buildings up to code, but there could be significant savings, and it’s possibly quicker to renovate when the building is already shelled in.” Bryan Miles, vice president of consulting, Cogun Inc., North Lima, OH
“As we listened to these dynamic next-generation leaders, we recognized that they were not in the least bit interested in creating anything that looked, tasted or felt like a typical church.” Mel McGowan, president, Visioneering Studios Architecture, nationwide
: “When we launched into our Dominate capital campaign―to dominate the city with the Gospel―Pastor Furtick was leading with vision…. It’s not the facility. It’s the vision.” Josh Blackson, operations pastor, Elevation Church, Charlotte, NC
K2’s innovative SmartKey re-key technology provides improved security, access control and convenience.
Heavy duty Interconnected Levers from K2’s QCI200 Series provide the utmost in durability.
eW Reach Powercore is powerful enough to illuminate large architectural facades and structures.
iW Reach Powercore further demonstrates that white-light LED sources are viable for even the largest-scale exterior transformations
Made from an advanced ceramic fiber wrapped in scrim-enforced foil, 3M Fire Barrier Duct Wrap 615+ is a lightweight, thin-profile insulation product.
Provides up to two hours of fire protection for grease and air ventilation ducts.
Epson PowerLite 1716 offers advanced features for easy set up and operation.
USB Plug ‘n Play displays images and audio on both your computer and projector screen by connecting a USB cable.
CyberLock Access Control System uses existing lock hardware eliminating need for expensive hardwiring or structural changes for installation.
Steve Israelsky, Tightrope Media Systems, VP of Sales and Chief Marketing Officer
Shown with the all-new RSMAU Mini Projector Mount
Cathi M. Linch, CPA, financial operations leader and treasurer, LifeChurch.tv, Edmond, OK
LifeChurch.tv in Tulsa, Okla., is a multi-site of LifeChurch.tv based in Edmond, Okla. The multi-site ministry’s property and liability insurance needs differ from region to region between 14 sites in six states. Cathi M. Linch, financial operations leader and treasurer with the church, reports that they consider their insurance needs on a case-by-case basis to keep each site adequately insured.
United Church of the First Born in Hanson, Mass., was destroyed by fire in 2007 and is now the first modular construction church in the region.
Realty Development Associates President Don Shulman (left) speaks with Howard Wong, a Dartmouth, MA police officer who also used RDA to build his modular home. Mr. Wong came by to see the first modular church constructed in the region.
Precision Focus Assist is a built-in feature within a lens that enables camera operators the ability to ensure fast, accurate focusing of high definition images under varying conditions.
The CP-X3010N features 16 watts of built-in audio, eliminating the need for external speakers, while maintaining a low noise rating of 29 dBA in Eco Mode.
PRX500 Series Portable PA Loudspeakers
The new Fluted Wrap N’ Snap Column Wrap from Screen Tight of Georgetown, South Carolina, for residential and commercial building applications cuts labor cost by using a patent pending snap design and one piece construction with no external fasteners required.
Jeffrey J. Rodman is the founder, president and CEO of Here-4-You Consulting and Grant Writing.
Global Truss GT-Plasma MT-12 Plasma and LCD TV Mount has an MSRP of $150.00.
Screenshot of a sample Celect.Org website done for Global Kingdom Ministries in Scarborough, Canada
Synthesis Zone Inverter is designed to back up fluorescent and incandescent fixtures and is compatible with most dimming ballasts.
"Gospel Dream" shot before a live audience at NorthStar Studios in Nashville, Tenn. Camp Digital used a complement of seven Fujinon HD lenses.
Elation MR16 5W Series LED “Green” Lamps
Customers who purchase at least three tons of cooling capacity from MovinCool will receive a $300 prepaid gift card
High-Lites has completely redesigned the CLED Series to provide a cleaner, more contemporary look.
Elation LED Video Panels feature an integrated rigging/hanging system that allows users to assemble any size LED video screen
