As a pastor or church leader, you probably visualize how you want to send your message to your audience. Modern technology has the ability to bring that message into full visual effect, and modernizing your church in other ways offers many benefits to your congregation and your mission. Learn how to make an old church look new and why it's important to renovate.

Contents:

• What Are the Benefits of Modernizing Your Church
• Factors to Consider When Modernizing Your Church
• How to Improve Church Facilities
• Request a Quote

What Are the Benefits of Modernizing Your Church?

Many old churches were built to carry audio from the podium straight to the back of the room. But not every pastor or leader has had the opportunity to be in such a space. More and more churches are using hall-type spaces or converted buildings to meet with congregations. 

Those using the old-school buildings have a different set of challenges, trying to work out how to get modern features in a building, from technology to furnishings. Whatever the challenge, there are solutions that work around them. The benefits far outweigh any temporary issue. Let's look at some reasons why you should renovate your church:

• Increases the quality of your sermon: Attract a larger audience when your church is modern and comfortable. Visitors will be able to easily hear and understand your sermon with updated technology in place.

• Encourages younger visitors with modern technology: Only 1% of teens are motivated to attend church alone, while a quarter of teens don't attend church at all. Those numbers make church growth important. A modernized facility can appeal to younger crowds and expand your congregation's demographics.
• Connects your congregation: Upgrading your church with streaming technology allows those far away to connect with your church's message. Accommodate congregation members who are out of town, or spread your church's reach outside of your local area.
• Supports you to spread your church's message: All those benefits enable you to reach a broader community, spreading your church's mission throughout your area and beyond. You'll also be able to reach audiences you couldn't before with more comfortable, modern amenities in your space.

Factors to Consider When Modernizing Your Church

Before you rush in with screens and cables, there are several factors to consider. Have an open conversation with the church board about what changes are needed in terms of maintenance, and then include your wants. These might not be necessities, but they will provide a more engaging experience and inclusive sermon for your audience. 

Here are a few tips for modernizing a church with ease and efficiency:

• Get the right partners: Take your time and have a chat with potential contractors. Ask to see previous work and check if they have installed similar items in other churches, whether you're getting new pews or revamping your church's exterior. Church sanctuaries are different from other buildings, so the more experience, the better the results. Let them know about your ideas and what you envision so they can get a sense of your goals. 
• Set the budget: You will need to know your limits, and the contractors will need an idea of your budget. Often, pricing can be negotiated. Inquire about a pricing plan, and be transparent with your church board. 
• Be flexible: Chat with staff, volunteers, contractors and everybody involved about possible disruptions. Some renovations can be done in a few days — others take a few weeks. See if there is another venue nearby. Ask the contractors if tools and items can be packed away and if temporary seating can be installed on weekends or whenever you host sermons.

How to Improve Church Facilities

Often, pastors and leaders ask how they can modernize their churches. The first step is to create a list of areas that need to be improved and then consult the budget and board. If there is a time, space or budget limitation, consider doing a few items a year. It will be amazing how even the small renovations can make such a difference and create an uplifting and positive experience. 

For some tips for modernizing a church, consider addressing these areas:

Functional Upgrades

Some updates might be more functional, like updating lighting. Older buildings bring challenges for new lighting. Chat with professionals about how this can be improved working with the current infrastructure. How is the pulpit platform looking? It could be time to replace that, as well. 

You could also upgrade common spaces with modern amenities like a coffee bar that'll encourage your congregation to gather and spend time together outside of sermons.

Aesthetic Changes

Take a look around your church for any imperfections like faded carpeting or peeling paint. Modernizing your facilities could involve new, stylish and durable flooring or a fresh color on the walls. You might even upgrade the exterior to make your facilities inviting to new visitors.

Modern Seating

Churches tend to grow in size with time, and you might have to accommodate the new growth with added seating. Or, you might swap out pews that have faded upholstery with comfortable, stylish and high-quality seating. You want your congregation to be comfortable as they listen to your church's message, after all.

Audio Replacements

You need your congregation to easily hear your sermon. Modernize your church with new microphone and speaker systems if needed.

The choir is another area that could be adapted with new boom microphones to enhance performances. It would be a minor renovation but would significantly change your church's atmosphere.

LED Walls

A significant way to renovate a church is to bring in LED panels. Chat with a professional about how to incorporate them into your space's current setup and design. You can bring in the technology without covering up the beauty of your building. 

LED church panels are available in a range of sizes to suit your space. The high-quality visuals accompany your sermon and involve less maintenance than projectors. With quick setup times, these walls help your audience listen, read and be connected to your sermon or the verse you are working with. 

Request a Free Quote From Refresh LED

Refresh LED has a long history of working with churches. Our owner and founder, Josh Dominguez, spent the first days of his career as a Youth Pastor and then later Workshop Leader, so we understand both sides of the process. Our staff are all trained in installations and are faith-based personnel. 

Refresh LED is ready to give a free consultation and estimate to churches needing guidance and support on making their old church look new. A service manager will support you after the technology is installed as part of our service. They will be able to advise you on how to use it and give you maintenance guidance. Request your free quote from our team, and let's get started on modernizing your church!