Community Bible Church
San Antonio, Texas
Seat Count: 3,500
Project Type: New Construction
Project Completion: 2004
Architect: RVK
AD Scope: Auditorium Design, Acoustics,
Audio & Video Systems, Video Production,
Theatrical Lighting
Senior Pastor Robert Emmitt founded Community Bible on May 26, 1990. Since that time, the church has drawn people from all walks of life. They come from many denominational and non-denominational backgrounds. The congregation has grown to 4,200 in attendance and offers ministries specifically geared to adults, single-adults, college students, children, teens and families. The church is characterized by an energized approach to worship and practical down to earth Bible based teaching. Community Bible Church’s new worship center was designed with this in mind.
The 3,500-seat auditorium was designed around a thrust stage which allows the pastor to be closer to the congregation during preaching. This was very important because the congregation likes to interact with him and laugh at his jokes, etc. They like to look at each other and talk to each other about what he’s saying.
Stage curtains allow the praise choir and orchestra to leave the stage and join the congregation without interrupting the flow of the worship service. The curtains also present a clean backdrop to the teaching/preaching portion of the service.
Seating in the worship center is terraced. This allows the room to be scalable in size. By simply roping off the upper seating and dimming the lights in that section, the room acquires a more intimate setting with the remaining seating. Terrace seating also has the added benefit of allowing all congregants a better view of the stage area and easy access to the platform.
IMAG video was chosen to because it is wonderful for connecting the people in the back of the room visually with the pastor. The two 26’x14’7” screens that frame the stage area increase this connection with their size.
A left-center-right speaker system was chosen for the worship center because of the fullness of sound it produces during worship and the central source of location it offers during preaching.
During the programming meeting that AD had the with church this statement was made, “The ”community” aspect I’m hoping for would take place in the lobby. People would meet for fast food or beverage in a safe place to hang out and visit as they wait for their class or small group.” This was accomplished in the wrap-around foyer outside the worship center. The foyer features two coffee bars and a bookstore where people can meet and connect. Special small events can take place at these locations because the audio system in the foyer is zoned. Each zone has a place for a microphone and CD player to be plugged in and amplified. The zoning limits the sound to the particular area where the event is taking place.
