Keeping Connected: Intercom Solutions For Multi-Site House of Worship Facilities

Photo credit: listentech.com

Megachurches have evolved considerably over the past 60 years to accommodate congregation size and the evolution of technology.More recently, there has been a transition to multiple satellite locations away from the main church campus, because they attract closer knit communities and are more convenient for local worshippers to attend.

Today, there are more than 2,000 multi-site houses of worship across North America. With more church gatherings at separate sites, each location has a unique congregation and cultural environment which calls for specific requirements.Typical obstacles include the manner in which the service is presented as well as how parking, security and ministries are managed. With all the additional hurdles, communication has become increasingly complex as each site requires a specialized intercom solution tailored to its needs.

Even though the multi-site worship services are coordinated by local church staff volunteers, the sermon presented by the senior pastor from the primary church venue is often broadcast as a satellite presentation to the smaller sites. In fact, some of the multi-site worship venues actually simulcast the entire service from the primary church location while others augment the main message with local music and commentary. The increasing shift towards multisite worship facilities necessitates well-organized, quality communication not only within, but also between each site.

Michael Rucker, Clear-Com’s Senior Regional Sales Manager for Central United States, identifies the various intercom solutions for houses of worship depending on production demands, multi-site proximity and the facility’s ownership status in his article for Technologies for Worship: Keeping Connected: Intercom Solutions For Multi-Site Facilities.

Friday Fun: Seize The Day!

Did you watch the Thanksgiving Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? Then you probably saw the new musical performance from the stage version of Disney's Newsies. It was recently announced that the show is coming to Broadway on March 15th, 2012!

In case you missed it, click here to see the parade performance!

"SEIZE THE DAY" and become the "KING OF NEW YORK" by solving this sliding puzzle!

Seize The Day! sliding puzzle game » sliding block puzzle

Wrap-Up of November Tradeshows

New England Broadcast Cable Expo – NEBC (November 2^nd)

NEBC Expo

The 2011 New England Broadcast Cable Expo opened at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. Free for attendees, visitors came from all over to find out the latest broadcast technologies and their trends. The Harris Corporation, Panasonic Solutions Company, and SONY Professional Solutions of America were just some of the exhibitors present alongside with Clear-Com (Booth 109). John Kowalski, Director of Broadcast and Network Sales, Clear-Com, demonstrated Clear-Com’s Eclipse-PiCo digital matrix intercom, V-Series user control panels, and Tempest2400 2.4 GHz digital wireless system.

I/ITSEC (November 28^th-December 1^st) 

I/ITSEC, the world’s largest modeling, simulation and training conference, was held at the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The event brought in over 8,000 visitors to engage in the nearly 500 exhibits.

Clear-Com, which has been a trusted provider of voice communication solutions for training and simulation, command and control, and test and evaluation, showcased their vast portfolio of Encore partyline, Eclipse digital matrix, wireless (Tempest, CellCom, and HME DX Series) and IP-based Concert intercom systems in Booth 3030.

Additionally, Clear-Com equipment was used to coordinate simulation demonstrations for CAE, a global company focused on modeling, simulation, training and mission rehearsal, at I/ITSEC.

NATEXPO (November 23^rd -25^th)

The annual NAT Expo, the largest event of its kind in Russia, was well attended by over 13,000 people with over 250 companies exhibiting. Held at the International Exhibition Center, Pavilion 75 in Moscow, Russia, the NAT Expo focused on technologies, professional equipment and services for Television, Radio and New Media Broadcasting, and Cinema production.

Exhibitors displayed broadcast equipment, studio equipment, audio, video editing, lighting and more. Clear-Com (Booth A41) spotlighted their low-latency, high quality advanced intercom solution for producers, directors, camera men, and sound crews to use to coordinate their actions in television studios, OB trucks, and TV control centers.