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Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is the lighting used by the congregation to read the worship folder, hymnal, and other printed materials. It is provided by down lights, recessed lights, and/or cove or indirect lighting. Fluorescent lights are not recommended for this purpose because they are difficult to dim, often are noisy, sometimes difficult to maintain, and they do not provide true color rendition. House lighting should always be dimmable both as a whole and by sections.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is used to draw attention to an area of the worship room such as the pulpit, lectern, communion table, baptistry, choir, space for instrumentalists, architectural features, and symbols. This lighting should also be dimmable and individually controllable.

Dramatic Lighting

If dramatic works are produced, the most logical location in most churches is the worship space. Since most drama requires special lighting, the worship space should be planned to accommodate dramatic lighting. Even though extra lighting may have to be rented or borrowed for some events, existing lighting will supplement additional lighting and will be adequate for most occasions.

Important Issues

1)The light source should be properly placed in relation to the person or object being lighted; otherwise, the lights will create shadows and distortions. Floodlights and spotlights should be recessed in the ceiling and located at a thirty to forty-five degree angle from the light to the surface being lighted.

2)Ports of ceiling lights should be designed to allow their beams to be crossed to avoid shadows and other undesirable effects. Normally, a person is lighted from the front and sides; however, lighting becomes more difficult in a round space, and more sides must be lighted. An added challenge is not shining lights in the faces of the congregation.

3)All lighting in the worship space should have full dimming capacity, including entrance areas.

4)Lighting controls should all be located at the soundboard control panel, allowing for lights to be controlled from a single source.

5)Lighting should be easily accessible to allow for proper adjustment and maintenance. Lighting that requires extensive ladders and scaffolding is difficult to access and often will not be well maintained or utilized effectively.

6)The size of the lights should be adequate for the light to travel the distance required.

7)Good dramatic lighting allows for future expansion.

8)Lights should be computerized to allow for setting various combinations for worship and dramatic productions.

9)As with sound, light travels in straight lines. It cannot pass through or around a dense object.

Purchasing a Hymnal

Until recently, most churches purchased their denomination's hymnal. Since most hymnals have traditionally had a fifteen to thirty year life span, the main question was, "Do we purchase the new hymnal or keep the old one?" However, with the increased number of hymnals published by non-denominational publishing companies, today's choices are much greater. In fact, some denominations have decided to publish new hymnals because many of their churches were purchasing hymnals from other sources. The following suggestions will help a minister of music who is guiding the church to choose a new hymnal.

Work with a Committee

You should never attempt to choose a hymnal on your own. A committee that represents a broad section of the congregation should choose the hymnal. This committee should be large (perhaps eight to twelve people), since this choice will influence the church's worship for many years.