Time For Change: Knowing when it's time to upgrade your sound, video and lighting systems

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
– President John F. Kennedy

Change is a funny thing. The fear and uncertainty that generally accompanies change too often holds people back from moving forward. If that doesn't hold them back, often the cost of change, whether time, money or some other precious resource, is the thing that keeps the change from taking place.

Planning Ahead

Master planning for your budget is great, and industry wide it's pretty well accepted that you can plan on 7-10 years for most audio, video and lighting systems with the exceptions of projectors and moving lights, which may only last 5-7 years. But that answer is very short sighted, as it really only answers when your existing systems may cease to function at all.

When Should You Upgrade?

Knowing when it's time to upgrade your systems is a deeper question, one that requires some knowledge of product longevity sure, but more so requires some introspection on what you're trying to accomplish with those systems. So, how do you know when it's time to upgrade your systems? When your systems no longer equip you to do what you're trying to do. When they can't equip you for where you want to go, it's time.

“When it becomes more difficult to suffer than to change... you will change.”
– Dr. Robert Anthony

Is It Really Easier?

Many leaders in our churches today prove Dr. Anthony's theory correct. Instead of changing their systems (or staffing, policies or programs) to accommodate where they want to go, they hang onto what is easier, what has less resistance, what costs less. The natural gravitation towards the easier path is understandable, but if we are truly growing and trying to make an impact, what we do will change. And it's critical that your systems change with you in order to equip you for this new work.

Failure is Not Fatal...

Waiting until something is broken before bringing change is certainly one approach. Ultimately though, it's the harder route and may not even matter by the time what you're doing breaks. Legendary basketball coach John Wooden said it like this:

“Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.”

Your church should be saving for, and planning on systems replacements within a 5-10 year period of time. For some, your systems may serve you well for 10, 12, maybe even 15 years if your needs don't change. For many churches though, your growing or changing need should dictate change much sooner than that. The success and health of your organization may depend on you being "all in" with your growth, meaning EVERY resource you have (programs, people and the tools they use) must be reconsidered as change is implemented. Because when it no longer gets you to where you want to go, it's time for a change.