New Gear... Same Problems

Why Your AV System Isn’t the Miracle Fix

It happens often: a church or organization invests thousands of dollars into new audio-visual equipment, expecting it to instantly fix all their problems. Better sound. Cleaner  livestream. Smoother services. But then, a few weeks in, frustration starts to bubble up. The mics still don’t sound right. The livestream isn’t consistent. Volunteers are confused. And suddenly, everyone’s asking:

“Did we buy the wrong gear?”

No—not necessarily. But you may have misunderstood what the gear actually does.

The Tool Is Not the Craft

Buying AV gear is like buying a set of professional kitchen appliances and expecting to become a five-star chef overnight. A top-tier stove doesn’t make gourmet meals on its own. You still need someone who knows how to cook. The same is true with AV.

Yes, the right equipment is important. But equipment doesn’t replace training, planning, and practice. It doesn’t teach your team how to mix sound, how to frame a shot, or how to troubleshoot issues on the fly. That part still requires people—trained people—working together toward a shared vision.

A Media Ministry, Not a Media Machine

Churches often overlook that AV is not just a technical function—it’s a ministry. And like any other ministry, it needs leadership, development, and a commitment to excellence. If you treat it like a one-time purchase instead of an ongoing investment, you’ll always feel like something’s not working.

Volunteers need training. Systems need testing. Mistakes need to be made—and learned from. These are not signs of failure; they’re signs of growth.

The Invisible Work Makes the Visible Difference

Think about a worship team. Would you expect them to sound great without rehearsal? Probably not. They meet during the week, practice individually, and then come together to blend their parts. The same principle applies to media.

A polished livestream or crystal-clear audio doesn’t just “happen.” It’s the result of small, consistent investments of time: setting up properly, rehearsing transitions, learning new tools, and developing systems that volunteers can follow. The more you invest in the people, the better the equipment performs.

Don’t Just Buy—Build

The truth is, your investment in AV gear is only as good as the team behind it. So if you’ve already taken the step to purchase equipment—congrats! That’s a great start. But now it’s time to build the skills and structure that make it all work.

Train your team. Set realistic expectations. Make room for mistakes. Celebrate growth. When you treat your media ministry like the living, breathing part of your service that it is, you’ll stop chasing quick fixes and start building long-term success.

Because in AV—as in ministry—there are no shortcuts. But the results are absolutely worth it.

D.Jarrett

Wired For Worship