What does AVL mean?
AVL refers to all the necessary equipment we use to operate our services with. It's an abbreviation for "audio, video, and lights" but we use it to apply additionally to cameras and all the auxiliary pieces to connect and operate all of this equipment. When we use AVL in this context, here are all the pieces we're included and the corresponding percentages of the overall project total:
- Audio | 38% | Acoustic room treatment, assistive listening system, main speakers, sound board, microphones, monitors, patio speakers, audio distribution campus-wide, and all infrastructure, project expenses, labor, etc.
- Video | 28% | LED screens, video switcher, cameras, video distribution campus-wide, and all infrastructure, project expenses, labor, etc.
- Lighting | 34% | Stage lights, house lights, light controller, wall-mounted control panels, dmx distribution, and all infrastructure, project expenses, labor, etc.
Why do sound, video, and lights matter?
The bottom line is our Sunday service is the primary tool we use to mature the believer and present the gospel to the unchurched. Though the "church" is defined as the gathered body of Christ-followers, we want to be a church unchurched people love to attend. We believe church should be modeled after Jesus' approach to "sinners"—keeping grace open, prioritizing belonging before belief, and presenting Jesus in relevant ways. We want to be a church, as Andy Stanley says, that "continues to function as a gathering of people in process; a place where the curious, the unconvinced, the skeptical, the used-to-believe, and the broken, as well as the committed, informed, and sold-out come together around Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God." We believe creating a welcoming, excellent, and inspiring environment gives both the believer in process and the unchurched the best chance to increase their faith or embrace it for the first time. We believe that properly stewarding audio, video, and lights will help us reach our goal.
Couldn't we just repair what's breaking?
We have been doing that for the past 4-5 years and have been able to get by only with much work and frustration. In the end, we had to face the reality that not only are our systems failing but our room has changed (removing the back two walls causing a drastic acoustic change in the room), our music style has changed, and the current tools in place (even if they functioned properly) are inadequate for our current and future goals as a church. The standard projected lifespan for an AVL system is 10-12 years. We reached nearly 25! We can certainly applaud the former AVL equipment on its way out for doing a great job, but this update is long past due.
Why CCI Solutions?
They were highly recommended to us by a valued ministry partner and we wanted a company who could help us see the whole picture, implementing not just quality pieces but a thoughtful integration where each piece connects like puzzle with the rest. With their incredible experience with churches across the country day in and day out, they were the perfect fit for our needs. Learn more about CCI here.
Have we received other quotes from other companies?
Yes. We began to investigate several solutions over 5 years ago and have pursued a total of 4 solution options, each presented to the church leadership for consideration. It was our leadership's feeling that CCI Solutions gave us the best overall approach and would help us design the right system for the the whole picture.
You mention that the typical
lifespan of AVL equipment is 10-12 years. Does that mean we need to do this
again in 10-12 years?
The manufacturers give lifespan estimates based on equipment usage in a wide variety of
environments including concert venues, clubs, touring rigs, etc. The typical
load a church puts on AVL equipment is much less strenuous than a concert
setting which naturally increases its life expectancy. This is why we’ve been
able to squeeze out nearly 25 years of use on our current AVL equipment and we
anticipate we’ll be able to extend the lifespan of this new equipment past the 12
year mark again. That being said, from here on out, NPFCC has accounted for future
upgrades like these, creating a specific budget line item to build up the
reserves needed when our next replacement is required. Essentially, this could
be the last fundraiser of this type needed!
Can I view the line items of the AVL proposal?
Yes. Click here to download the Executive Summary provided to us by CCI Solutions.
Is the new sound system going to make our music louder?
In short, no. But read on if this stuff interests you! Currently, our sound techs are instructed to keep the sound level no more than 88-92db during the loudest sections of our songs and we use a professional caliber decibel meter to monitor the levels throughout the service. This decibel level is scientifically safe for our hearing and also common among churches. When people speak of "loudness", most of the time they don't necessarily mean the volume is high, but rather the tone and quality of the sound is shrill, abrasive, or harsh. There are many factors that cause poor tonal quality in the sound but a few of the biggest contributors include the acoustic properties of the room, the type and tuning of the speakers, the sound source (instruments and microphones), the capabilities of the sound board, and the skill of the sound engineer. In our current room with our current equipment, achieving a quality sound that is clear, smooth, full, and inviting has been very difficult to achieve, leading to a less than ideal tone. The AVL proposal will drastically improve all of these factors allowing us to achieve a quality, pleasing, and vibrant sound while not increasing the volume at all.
How will the funds be collected?
Each weekend from March 31st to May 12th we will continue promoting the vision and need for this project to our church family. Then, on Wednesday, May 15th at 6pm we will gather in our Auditorium for a night of worship to celebrate all that He's done in our church and all we anticipate He'll do for generations to come. In the middle of this celebration, we'll have a time for those who've decided to give towards the project to come forward and place a commitment card in a box up front (the commitment cards may be completed anonymously). A few of our leaders will then total up the amounts pledged and the final amount raised will be announced and celebrated to close the evening! Your actual gift may be given any time starting now. If you would like to give online, please select the "Press On" category. If you're giving a check, write "Press On" on the memo line. If you're giving cash, place it in an envelope and write "Press On" on the outside and place it in the offering trays one Sunday or in the offering receptacles next to the exit doors.
Will we have a way of
knowing, on May 15, amounts already paid vs. amounts pledged?
Our leaders will calculate
the total amount pledged and also look at what’s already been deposited in the
Press On fund online. The leadership will also count any checks or cash given
that evening during the night of worship. We’ll present as much detail as possible that evening and celebrate it all!
What if I can't attend the night of worship on May 15th?
If you can't attend, we ask that you still turn in a commitment card with your total pledged amount so we can accurately count up the total that evening. You can turn in your card to one of the offering receptacles near the exists of the Auditorium or in the offering trays one Sunday before. Your actual gift may be given online, by check, or cash any time before May 15th.
When will construction begin?
We anticipate construction beginning near July and last approximately 2 months. During that time we will meet in the Family Life Center Gym for our Sunday services. If you can't make your contribution before May 15, we ask that you consider giving your gift as soon as possible so we can plan adequately for the project.
What if we don't raise the total amount?
If the total amount is not raised we will take any available funds and apply them to the portions of the project with the highest priority. We will continue to complete the project piece by piece as more funds become available over time. However, the more pieces we can do at once saves costs on labor, inspections, travel, freight, etc.
What if we raise more than we need?
If we raise more, there are several other projects around the campus that we have on our "dream list." As with this project, we'll prayerfully consider where to put it and be great stewards with what's given.
Can't the church just take out a loan?
Though this option has been considered, the leadership has decided for now to hold off on that option in an ongoing effort to stay clear of any additional debt. We are currently on course to pay off our mortgage in 2025 and we would like to avoid pushing back that timeline.
I can't give one large amount now. Can I make several contributions spread out over time?
Yes. We understand the financial difficulty of giving a large one-time gift. We sincerely appreciate your desire to make an ongoing commitment to this project and, if the total amount is not raised initially, we will rely on your ongoing gift to help us complete the project. We ask that you prayerfully consider giving this gift above and beyond your regular tithe so we can ensure the month-to-month expenses of the church are still covered. When you give, make sure you give to the "Press On" fund online or write "Press On" in the memo line of your checks or cash envelopes.
I don't know a lot about AVL technology but it seems like a lot of money, so give it to me straight, are we buying a Bentley or a Buick?
First of all, that's a fitting illustration since this AVL project is simply a vehicle to help take people to an encounter with God. Our current "old car" is in constant need of repair and, quite frankly, has become an obstacle not only to those of us who are repair mechanics, but also to many of our members who have been good enough to put up with our "squeaks and rattles" for some time now. We in leadership all felt that this was not fair to you and not good stewardship. Moreover, part of being a good steward in seeking and saving the lost in our community means we use a vehicle the unchurched may actually consider getting inside. Once inside, we'll escort them to the presence and goodness of God and keep journeying alongside them as they grow in their faith. But back to the original intent of your question—although this tool is not inexpensive, of the four other AVL options we investigated, CCI's quote came in toward the upper middle. This AVL proposal is not a top-shelf "Bentley" but it will have enough horsepower to take us where we need to go as a church with greater ease today and in the future. Let's put it this way, if we were building a brand new church in Newbury Park today, this is the AVL equipment we would put in. It's the modern equivalent of what went into this facility back in 1995. It fits our community's overall standard for excellence without being over the top. It complements our church size, style, and personnel resources yet gives us room to expand in the years to come.
Will our volunteers be trained on the new equipment?
As a part of the package, we've included hands on training by some of the country's best technicians to equip our volunteers to thrive in their roles moving forward. We know a tool is only as good as the one holding it so we've accounted for this up front.
I have more questions, is there someone I can talk to?
Yes. The elders will be available on Sundays after each service beginning March 31 through May 12 in room F11. You can always reach out to the church office anytime to set up a meeting with any of our leaders.
