House of Worship (H.O.W) A/V is a prickly bed-fellow! Anyone who’s had the privilege, or dare I mention displeasure, of a large-scale H.O.W project knows the pitfalls and tribulations of dealing with clients intermixed with religion. And as person of deep and profound faith, it is difficult for even myself, as a professional and a person of faith, to separate or even manage the two in such situations. This becomes the A/V provider’s proverbial cross-to-bear.
Nonetheless, I do not wish to digress into my own opinions and pontifications on religion and faith. Rather to focus on how we within our industry and within said spaces can be a valuable asset to these clients. While also making others aware of issues which are unique to this vertical, while concurrently showing how we as designers, engineers, technicians and integrators need to be more mindful of the client’s position as well.
That is not to say houses of worship are all or exclusively bad, difficult, or problematic as clients and end-users. Nothing could be further from the truth, but we cannot address these issues if we do not discuss them openly, rationally and without discernment of?
However, those of us familiar working in this space, have almost certainly experienced the heartache and/or avarice of communicating and closing on H.O.W projects at least a few times in our careers. From the initial stage of simply getting in the door to budgeting, from committees and councils to payment, and working around prayer and holiday schedules; one must contend with obstacles, situations and even individuals which are aberrant and singular to the House of Worship A/V space. One may find themselves confronted by obstacles not often contended with or found in run-of-the-mill A/V and IT projects. Oftentimes churches, synagogues, and mosques will look to procure contractor services, regardless of trade or expertise, from within their own religious or ethnoreligious groups. And this is usually one of the most irritating encumbrances we must overcome to get said “foot” in the proverbial door.
Where faith and technology meet is a cross-roads of necessity and budget, versus function and desire. One might presuppose that the commonly found ego of a client, the concupiscible drive to “have the best” or better than the next person or parish, would not be a motivation in worship A/V. Nonetheless, it does occur, and when it does, it becomes the crucible of the A/V provider’s patience, becoming the true test of the aforementioned cross-to-bear. Frustration can arise quickly when confronted with convoluted and intricate negotiations often required when dealing with the hierarchies of any church, synagogue, or mosque. Particularly in regards to budgeting and costs.
Now, let us delve into how we approach this delicate web of dancing dalliances with regards to the matter at hand.
When in consultation or contract with houses of worship or their adjacent institutions, we usually find some common areas of contention. Here are some examples we will discuss:
- Spending & Budget
- Decision Making Structure
- Homogeneous Vendor Selection
- Project Execution Planning
Spending & Budget
Many faiths do collections during services as a means of generating funds for running and maintaining their organizations. From operating budgets to parochial schools and obvious construction costs, the need for funds is raised and provided by the parishioners and community at large. It is important to remember and at once be respectful, irrespective of one’s personal faith or positions, and to remember that this money is sacredly given and spent by the H.O.W in trust. That same trust with which the money was given, it is also entrusted to be spent. No religion is without its scandals or misappropriation sacrileges, which we are acutely aware of, unfortunately. However, the purse strings will be closely guarded, which is why too often religious organizations will defer to a homogeneous bidding and selection process. (We will be discussing this in more depth in its respective section further down.) With this expectation in mind, no matter how flawed it may be, when choosing an A/V contractor, in the hope they will receive more favorable terms, pricing or just relieve the worry that monies will be ill spent.
This is a false pretense to be sure!
However, in truth, those who have worked on H.O.W projects know too well the often found “have it make toast” approach clients will take. and this can certainly be true with religious institution projects. What do I mean? Imagine if you will a project in a large church where they need audio for a large sanctuary, plus added video displays like two large format projections. All to be tied into a control room or booth, which of course means a sound board, multiple computer tie in’s and possible broadcasting and recording integration. (Say hello to our favorite friend the multicastor and BNC!) Then there are the classrooms, resource rooms, add a smaller chapel, stage sound for live events and concerts or even lighting and stage automation. Now you have a client asking for a miracle…on a parish’s purse. They may want the holy trinity of premium A/V, simplicity and ease-of-use, however they want it on as small a budget as possible. Or even worse, they pull out the not-for-profit card and now you have to “make it make toast.”
There can be a smugness to these meetings and negotiations, to be sure. But again, I must stress, managing expectations and understanding that the funds for any project are the hard-earned and sacrificially given dollars and cents of their faithful flock. To them and their faiths they are preeminently indentured and responsible to. So, in the end and so, by association, and if so lucky, by contract so are you!
Decision Making Structure
Herein lies the true test of your mental metal in working in union with the H.O.W clientele, the organizational hierarchy.
No two customers are ever the same. Yet we cannot ignore some common traits in navigating the pitch, sale and closing quagmires that confront the A/V integration space. Often still seen as the least important or just the cherry on top of the project’s proverbial cake, nothing could be further from the truth. We touch just about every other vendor’s work at some point, from electrical to infrastructure to carpentry to plumbing in some cases. Scrambling for space on network switches and constantly reminding ever so gently of our power needs and fitting our cabling and/or equipment into spaces not properly designed to accommodate it; we will have to discuss and negotiate with those in charge.
Also, I have found, in most cases, this can be trickier than normal when dealing with religious clients. There is often in place a hierarchy or council of sorts which, while well-intentioned, do not understand the needs of integrators or the cost/reasons for certain parameters and constraints. Have you ever tried explaining to an elder member of such a group why digital signage is not as sophomoric as hanging a TV (or as we know it a display!)? Of course! We all have. That doesn’t always mean that the work we do is misunderstood or undervalued, rather they have other concerns and priorities which take precedence in their decision making. Recall, this is a house of worship. There are charities, internal and external giving, operating budgets that do not come from for-profit sources (one should hope and pray!) As I have brought to your attention from the outset, the direction and intention of these places are in service of their respective faiths and Creator. You have young, old, families, clergy, and others with concurrent and contradicting ideologies and priorities intertwining and competing for importance and funds. Being innately aware while maintaining reverence for the priorities of these organizations can help, not only in closing business, but in cultivation of long-term relationships and overcoming our next hurdle to be discussed.
Homogeneous Vendor Selection
In this, chapter we need not be verbose in verse! For it is well known and documented that many companies and organizations prefer working with those they consider their ‘own’. There is no wrong or right in that decision or inclination, to be fair.
I recall vividly a work trip to Silicon Valley sometime around 2016, was performing a site visit and maintenance for a Catholic School in Atherton. As I drove by the large estates and massive corporate compounds, I happened to pass by Moron Meeting Hall. And what I saw has stuck with me to this day. Every single one of the contractors in their lot, electrician, plumbing and even A/V were clearly marked and designated as being Moron as well! There was even a sign, quite large and easy to read in the parking lot which stated that NO SOLICITATION was allowed. This was clear indication and dare I say warning to all potential vendors to not bother approaching. Not in person certainly, but not by any other means either.
That visual has stayed with me for years on end and it speaks to the myopic manner in which H.O.W’s will go about awarding contracts. It is the soul of the old adage ‘Cutting off your nose to spite your face’. Not only does such a policy and approach limit the quality of workmanship available to religious organizations, but even worse it can and does lead to exploitation. By both parties to be sure.
Homogenous vendor/client environments allow those within to short-shrift each other with impunity, although not necessarily a guaranteed outcome, it can and does happen. When there is a lack of diversified vendors, each bringing their individual expertise and experience to the table the H.O.W is allowing poor craftsmanship and work product to be excused on account of ‘they’re one of us’ or price-grinding their vendors under the false guise of ‘taking one for the team’.
Regardless of the incentives or devotions to one’s own faith, it is unprofessional, inappropriate and poor judgement to constrain the vendor/contractor pool to just those of your ethnic or religious affiliation. Discrimination has many faces and names, however it rears its foul ugly head all the same when given the chance to do so.
Project Execution Planning
In keeping with my own dictate to not be too verbose, a character flaw of my own to be sure, I will keep this last section brief.
As with any commercial or corporate client, whether for profit or not, the organizational structure and decision-making apparatus can either be friend or foe. No two clients are ever the same, though common through-lines will present themselves within all clients. This is equally true with Houses of Worship and their Tree of Indecisiveness. Whereas one becomes accustomed to negotiating with IT managers, technical leads, an executive or two and possibly a flock of administrative flunkies, who are either totally checked-out or far too involved; H.O.W’s will have other personalities to contend with.
Pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, nuns, deacons and all their co-religious cohorts will be decision makers. And how we as A/V integrators approach their elevated and revered positions in negotiations can be the difference between damnation and life AV-lasting! As professionals we know to set aside our personal opinions and beliefs to deliver the best work product we can and are allowed. However, we are all human, bringing our own biases, beliefs and boondoggles into our professional life. Whether want or intend to, be ever aware of these pitfalls and avoid letting the world and its vexations abundant interfere with being a steadfast proficient in your craft. We live and work in a hyperbolic and divisive world, which we cannot change. We must never succumb to the vile inclinations which prowl about the Earth seeking the ruin of our souls, nor of our closing a deal.
Be vigilant, truthful, dedicated and sublime. Remember, it’s only a job. And for these clients and those decision-makers you are not designing and installing A/V. You are enabling them to worship and share in their faith. Be acutely focused in presenting solutions which serve that end and listen to them, even when you may not want to.
In conclusion, the overarching message contained within is that just as we cannot see The Almighty Creator with our own eyes, worship A/V and the work needs to be equally invisible. A/V should blend into the background of a sanctuary, as to empower the process of worship without distracting from it. So to, when working in these spaces be aware, present and respectful of the faith practiced therein. This isn’t a commandment to remove your yarmulke or hijab, nor tuck in your cross, should you be working somewhere that it may offend or conflict with the client’s faith. Ever person has the right, God given in fact, to profess their faith or lack thereof as they so choose. However, we must also show discretion and proper adherence to the wants and requests of our clients. Whether that be not wearing shoes, where applicable, censorship in words and language or just simply asking preemptively what could be an issue before it manifests itself.
In doing so, we strength not only the client relationship bond but also create a culture at-large of mutual understanding and respect that benefits all. The issues I raised, on the client side and the integrator side, are not meant to besmirch either party. Rather to highlight and shine a light on places where we all can possibly fall short of the grace we wish to be shown unto us and others. I myself have for years steered clear of working with clients of my respective faith for many of the reasons outlines within this article. And I have struggled to overcome those prejudices and have adopted my own guidelines for navigating this balmy storm.
My general principle is to not work with H.O.W I attend or frequent, even having gone as far as to avoid my own faith’s projects altogether. Yet, in recent years I have turn around and been less apprehensive. While still refusing to do paid work for my own places of worship, I must concede that if we are impotent towards forgiveness professionally, we dare to become callous and unforgiving in our personal lives. So, I encourage us all, integrators and clients alike, to strive and work and persevere to work with, listen to and embrace one another. Faults and all, for the betterment of ourselves, our profession and our world.
Sean Reid
Sean Reid, the Commodore formerly of Astroman Labs of US and Icelandic infamy, has returned from sabbatical. Mr. Reid has over twenty years of in-depth audiovisual experience ranging from design engineering to project management and business ownership in the field. Having worked in numerous states and abroad on a plethora of diverse projects and end users. Sean is proud and eager to share with our audience once more one of his other passions: writing and composition. Mr. Reid was formerly a regular contributor to AV Nation on podcast and as author of The Reid Report.
