Photos: High-tech epiphany for churches

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Houston's Lakewood Church

When you've got 30,000 people coming by for Sunday church service, an ordinary pulpit just won't do. In Houston, pastor Joel Osteen moved the Lakewood Church into the Compaq Center, a former NBA stadium, to accommodate throngs of parishioners. Three giant video screens help deliver the sermon to the far corners of the cavernous church, with an HDTV upgrade on the way. Strip lights behind the pulpit use a range of tungsten halogen lamps to create different lighting effects.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:58 GMT (08:58 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Stark Raving Solutions

Kansas City-based Stark Raving Solutions specializes in outfitting churches with the latest in audio and video technology. One of its clients is the Cross Timbers Community Church, which has three campuses in Texas; this three-camera system is in its Argyle church.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:58 GMT (08:58 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Bethany Baptist Church

The Bethany Baptist Church in Lindenwold, N.J., features a big-screen TV and a high-tech sound system--along with a giant waterfall.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:58 GMT (08:58 PDT)
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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Audiovisual gear and big-screen video displays are becoming an essential tool in houses of worship.

Houston's Lakewood Church

When you've got 30,000 people coming by for Sunday church service, an ordinary pulpit just won't do. In Houston, pastor Joel Osteen moved the Lakewood Church into the Compaq Center, a former NBA stadium, to accommodate throngs of parishioners. Three giant video screens help deliver the sermon to the far corners of the cavernous church, with an HDTV upgrade on the way. Strip lights behind the pulpit use a range of tungsten halogen lamps to create different lighting effects.

Published: July 20, 2006 -- 15:58 GMT (08:58 PDT)

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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