Planning for the Future

Have you ever wondered what they future holds?  What will your life look like in a few weeks, years?  What will the church look like in those same weeks and years?  

Planning for the future is one of the hardest things to do, but is still very important.  There is no real way of knowing what will happen in the future, but if you plan for some of the bigger possibilities and continue to maintain the equipment and supplies you have, then most likely you will be ready for anything.

At Word of Peace we are currently walking a very fine line with our projection system in the sanctuary.  We installed it 8 years ago and the projectors have been going strong ever since...until recently.  We have replaced the bulbs when needed and cleaned the filters every 2 months or so, and that has helped get us this far.

But recently I have been very worried about replacing them before it is to late.  We have not put this plan into practice yet, but I am hoping that the projectors last till the 2015 budget comes through so we can start in January (fingers crossed).

Here is an example of a plan to keep your projectors in good working order while replacing them PROACTIVELY rather than reactively.

1.  Projectors today are made with shorter lives than even 5 years ago.  The term "they don't make them like they used to" is true in more than one way.  PLAN TO REPLACE YOUR PROJECTOR EVERY 3-5 YEARS. 


2.  If you have multiple projectors, plan a rotation where you replace at least one projector when it's age is between 3-5 years.  

Example:  2015 - replace projector 1

                   2016 - replace projector 2

                   2018 -19 - replace projector 1

                   2019 - 20 - replace projector 2

3.  Don't get rid of the projectors.  Most churches have other uses for projectors elsewhere in the building.  Save the unit and use it in a smaller room somewhere.  The new location will give new life to the image it projects because of the smaller size and less intense ambient light.  

4.  If you have other mounted projectors in the church, consider putting them in the rotation as well.  

Example:  Sanctuary projector is replaced.  Old sanctuary unit is moved to the youth room.  Youth room projector is moved to a rolling cart.  Then repeat this process the next time a new unit is purchased.  Then recycle the unit on the cart.  

This rotation will also help you be good stewards of the money donated to the church.  Rather than dropping a huge chunk of change for a whole new system, you budget a smaller amount each year to keep the rotation up to date.

We use our projectors for every service (4) and confirmation during the year.  It is a vital part to our ministry that would be missed if it were to break.  I hope we can start the rotation in 2015 and I hope you never have to scramble to find a quick replacement. 

God Bless,