We were recently faced with a unique situation, which led me to search for flat-screen monitors for churches. Due to unfortunate circumstances, our attendance has dropped in the sanctuary, which is becoming increasingly old.
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After several years, it was clear that our worship experience was negatively affected by the condition and size of our sanctuary compared to the average attendance.
We began to plan a huge remodel of our sanctuary and downsize. We made the decision to move into our multipurpose room for worship services. We were looking for a flat-screen monitor for our church.
Once again, I was left to determine the best price and what would be suitable for worship projection in our multipurpose room.
You might have a different situation. You might not be familiar with the idea of displaying worship lyrics at your service. You might also be confronted with an outdated projection system and need to decide what is the best. Do you need a projector and screen? Or should you go for a flat-screen monitor? You might also want to stream your services from the nursery or in an overflow area.
No matter your situation, I hope my work and experience can help you make the right decision. These are your options. They are my hope.
Why choose a flat-screen monitor over a video projector and screen?
Each church has its own needs. But, I’ve found that a flat-screen monitor is more effective than a projector for image quality and reading.
Ambient light can be a problem with a video projector. To overcome this, you need a high-lumen output projector. Projectors are more expensive because of this.
Projector screens also offer aesthetic appeal. They are, in all honesty, ugly. Flat screens look more modern and beautiful than their counterparts. I believe that video projectors are becoming the same as the overhead projector, where transparencies were flipped to change the song lyrics.
Here are some things to consider when buying flat screen monitors for churches
Size
You must consider the size. Experts recommend a ratio of 1/6 to 1/10. This means you will need one foot (12”) of height to monitor every 6-10 feet.
They base this on your lyrics’ readability at standard font sizes. You can reduce this ratio to one/20 by increasing font size and using only four lines per slide. In a 40’x40′ room, we have a 50″ monitor. It is only 26 inches high. This is a ratio of approximately 1/18
This is the caveat. You will have difficulty seeing the back of videos if you play many. They can’t be resized.
Clarity
As long as your monitor is HD, clarity will not be an issue. Your monitor will be much more precise than a projection screen, making it easier to see.
Inputs
Modern flat screens and TVs can be connected to various inputs. You should pay particular attention to whether the TV has HDMI inputs or Bluetooth connectivity to allow you to connect wirelessly.
Bluetooth isn’t a requirement, but it does make things simpler. Many computers today are Bluetooth-enabled. This allows you to connect your monitor to the computer by cutting the cable.
Budget
Flat-screen church monitors can be expensive, but they don’t need to break the bank. Ours cost less than $500.00.
Be sure to consider the needs of your church when making a purchase. You don’t have to spend a lot, but you shouldn’t be afraid to cut corners. Functionality is more important than features.
Flat Screens Under $1,000.00
SAMSUNG 60-Inch Class QLED Q60A Series
QLED televisions can produce 100% color volume in the DCI–P3 color space. This is the format used for most cinema screens as well as HDR movies for TV.
Hisense 55A6G 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Android Smart TV
4K Ultra HD is 1080p’s larger, more beautiful brother. This screen has four times as much resolution as a Full HD monitor. It also features 8.3 million pixels, a full array LED backlights, and creates a brighter, more vibrant picture.
You may need something larger than the flat-screen monitors listed above, depending on the size and needs of your church. Some cost between $1,000 and 2,000. These are ideal for rooms with a capacity of 100 to 250 persons.
Sony X85J 85-Inch TV
4K HDR PROCESSORX1 – A powerful TV processing system that produces a smooth, clear picture with rich colors and great contrast.
Hisense H65G Series 4K UHD Smart Televisions are sleek and elegant. They offer more than four times as much resolution as a standard 1080p HD screen. The TVs also have a full-array LED backlight that creates a brighter, sharper picture.
Specialty monitors are available once you have surpassed 90 inches. After that, the price of specialty monitors starts to go up. This list offers a variety of options for flat-screen monitors for churches.
Here are some things you should consider when buying your next flat-screen monitor. How your church is set up will impact the size of what you need. Two monitors might be necessary if your sanctuary or meeting room is larger than it is deep. One for each side of your pastor’s or musicians’ stage.
This setup allows you to buy two smaller monitors than one large.
If your monitor is wider than deep, you might consider placing it over the platform. You will need to decide how big a monitor you need depending on how far your sanctuary is from it.
The ratio I shared earlier is not the diagonal size but its actual height. A large-screen TV or monitor with a 50″ screen is approximately 26 inches high.
This article should have helped you to understand how to choose the right flat-screen monitor for your church. My goal is to make you a success in all that you do.
All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber. Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary. He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988. Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world. He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.
