USA Lectern Sale Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding our products. Please feel free to email or telephone us if your particular question is not answered here.
Who are you and why do you make pulpits?
Procson Pulpits is a family business. The owner and principal designer is Stephen Procter. Stephen began out as product designer for a design consultancy in Sydney. He was then approached to design some church furniture for some local churches, one of them Hillsong Church. He was asked to design a church lectern by one church, and then another and then another. He worked long hours researching and developing the shape, style, ergonomics, geometry and methods of manufacture for what is now his best selling Arc pulpit. In fact, the Arc2 is now the best it has ever been. Slowly the business grew to the point we are now. We are Australia’s best selling lectern desinger and manufacturer and we sell our products all over the world. Stephens wife, Elizabeth is head of sales and marketing and Elizabeth’s parents in the UK oversee all European sales.
Is it a pulpit, lectern, podium or rostrum that you make?
We have found that the same thing is called different names according to the country a person resides in. In the UK, lectern seems to be the word. In the USA, podium seems to be the favourite. Please rest assured that whenever we refer to a lectern, pulpit, podium or rostrum on our websites, we are referring to the same thing!
If you have a projector screen behind the preacher you will most probably need this to prevent light reflecting off the pulpit top onto the screen. In this case, lights from above the stage reflect off the pulpit top and onto the projector screen. You can test for this by turning on your stage lights and holding an old style (shiny) CD case where the pulpit top would be (or use a piece of shiny plastic or a mirror) . If you get unsightly reflections, you need the film. If you need it on the pulpit top, you will almost certainly need it on the table top as well (unless the pastor is buying it for his office). Click here to understand more about anti reflective film.
Do I need covers?
Almost all churches order these as they help prolong the life of the tops. They are a fabric cover (made of high quality elastic edged cotton drill) which help to keep the lectern and/or table top scratch and dust free when not in use. They are essential if the pulpit and/or table are to be moved around. A replacement top costs about $200 (more with anti reflective film) so you could say a cover is a good investment. Click to purchase a cover.
How do I clean, care for and carry my pulpit?
Please click here for the 'Pulpit Cleaner' page for instructions on cleaning and carrying the pulpits.
OR
Click here to download church lectern lifting and care brochure.
Do you have showrooms? Can I come and see your pulpits and tables?
Sorry! We only show our pulpits and tables at exhibitions. We do however, have a money back guarantee; 'love it or send it back'. No one has sent one back yet, but if you were to order, receive and for some reason not like your new pulpit, we will refund the cost of the pulpit. A lot of customers say the pulpits always look better 'in person' than in the photographs.
We do exhibit at the Sydney Hillsong Conference every year, if you would like to see us and our lecterns then. You can also purchase pulpits and tables from us there. Or if you live in Sydney or happen to be passing through, you are welcome to come to our design studio/factory and look at our products, just please call first for an appointment – 02 9718 0804 or 0413 693 232.
Are the pulpits guaranteed?
Yes, for 12 months. However, if you break a top within the first 12 months, a new top will be half price. This is because it is often very difficult to tell how a top has been broken. It might have had small knocks over time (for example while going through doorways) and then it breaks all of a sudden.
We expect the base and stem to last for a very long time. The top is less strong. You will need to be careful. Beware of doorways- small knocks add up to a top that eventually cracks. If it becomes scratched or broken over time, you can of course purchase a replacement top.
Are the pulpits stable?
Yes - you need to push it 15-20 degrees before it will start to fall (the most stringent international standard for lighting is 15 degrees.) We have put much effort into getting the centre of gravity low and in the correct place. You can place a laptop on the far corner, place a heavy book on top of that (a big bible) and it will not topple. On the other hand, it has a tension bar running through the stem which gives it some flexibility. This flexibility is essential if the top is given a shock.
You talk a lot about churches, do other organizations purchase them?
Most definitely. Law firms, schools, city councils, universities, museums, opera houses, hotels, restaurants, conference centers, even the United Nations in New York City has purchased two. Chicago airport has one.
How high is the pulpit to the bottom of the ledge?
The height to the ledge is 101cm/ 39.8". This suits 95% of the population. We have a height change option here is you require one: http://new.procson.com/podiums-for-sale.html but if is very rare.
Do the pulpits and tables come made up or do I need to assemble them?
We transport the Arc2 and Arc2 water tablen A1 lectern and table and all of the Snappytalk ranges flat in special boxes. This saves money on freight and prevents them from being damaged during transit.
Are they easy to assemble?
Very. Instructions are included. We have had a Korean customer say it took 9 minutes to assemble even without being able to read the English part of the instructions (it includes pictures). We have never heard of a church having trouble assembling any of our pulpits or tables.
We are worried about reflections: what do you suggest?
If you plan to regularly film your church meetings and services for TV or DVD, we highly recommend anti reflective film. You can order this already applied at the time of pulpits purchase (see 'Arc Pulpits' page for price). However if you purchase your pulpit and afterwards decide you need anti reflective film, your church can get it applied by a local sign writer. We can give you the specification for the film (it is a 3M product). Well known churches like Hillsong Church, have the film on all of their Arc pulpits and tables and use them on international television. It looks great on TV/camera (you can hardly tell). Click here to understand more about anti reflective film.
Did you make the pulpit at Hillsong Church?
Yes. Hillsong Church, Sydney and all of the Hillsong campuses all over the world have several of our Arc2 pulpits, which they use in a range of meetings, including weekend services and conferences. You may have also seen one of our pulpits being used by many other well known churches and preachers like J. John, J.D. Jakes and The Dream Center.
Do you have a pulpit with adjustable height?
Certainly. You have probably heard of ergonomics which is the study of human interaction with furniture and objects. Our pulpits are designed using anthropometric ergonomic data (the same ergonomic data the designers at Boeing use to design airplane interiors). We found that by using a height of approximately 101cm (40 '') to the bottom of the lip and an angle of approximately 20 degrees for the top, that a pulpit will suit 95% of adult male and females. Having said that we do make an adjustable version of the Arc2 if you need it. Click here to see it.
Can I have my podium in another colour?
Yes. Custom colours are possible for the stems and bases (the tops generally need to be clear, clear with AR film, or black). Regular colours work well. For example red, blue, yellow. Metallic colours- for example gold or brass colour end up being quite dull. There is a set up cost for custom colours, so it works out better value to get say a pulpit and table done, rather than just a pulpit.
How do I order and pay?
Please use the shopping cart feature on this website and pay by credit card, paypal, direct bank transfer or cheque. If you would prefer to not buy online, please email your order to steve@procson.com or call us on +61 2 9718 0804.
I am ordering from overseas. Will I therefore have to pay customs and duties?
Unfortunately, duties and customs charges in your country are out of our control. You may need to pay charges if your government imposes them. You will therefore need to pay any of these. (On the upside, unlike our Australian customers, you do not have to pay 10% Australian GST - Goods and Services Tax). You may be required to pay such duties or customs taxes before the goods can be cleared at customs in your country. Our experience with sending products to the USA is that because of the free trade agreement between Australia and the USA, little or no taxes seem to be charged. We cannot however, be certain of this in every case.
Can I change the height of Arc church lecterns?
Obviously the adjustable Arc lectern can have the height changed whenever you like. Another option is to get a fixed height Arc lectern with a stem that is permanently taller or shorter than normal, for example if the pastors using it are all particularly tall or short. The stem length is changed during manufacture. Height changes are in increments of 2" (5cm) above or below the standard stem height of 40" (101cm) to the bottom of the lip (where the bible or notes rest). Please let us know your preference: 2" (5cm) or 4" (10cm) taller than the standard pulpit height of 40" (101cm) to the bottom of the lip, or 2" (5cm) or 4" (10cm) than the standard pulpit height of 40" (101cm) to the bottom of the lip. Height changes are $ 100. Likewise height changes to the Arc table are also possible. Click here for more details for the adjustable Arc and height changes.
Do you exhibit in the USA or UK?
Yes; we exhibit every 2 years at the AG assembly/conference (for Assembly of God churches) in the USA (it only happens every 2 years, otherwise we would be there every year!). We have exhibited at the City Bible Church conference in Portland Oregon also and at Hillsong Conference NYC.
In the UK, we exhibit every year at the Christian Resources Exhibition at the Excel Area, London. It is to meet our pulpit customers face to face. We also meet a surprising number of American pastors at the Hillsong conference in Sydney Australia (some of them appeared again at the AG assembly!)
Why does your podium only have one stem?
Some early models had 3 stems. They were more rigid, but we found they were a lot less popular with churches. Some church leaders say that the Arc podium is less distracting than some other lecterns, and helps the church congregation to concentrate fully on the message. We tried many, many podium designs. We show them privately and at conferences like Hillsong here in Australia. It becomes quickly obvious which podiums are preferred. Then we work on them, testing them in the local market. By the time we get around to exporting, it is a great product. We prefer to take one popular pulpit design and improve it so it is the best church podium in the world, rather than be making a wide range of podiums that are all second rate. We used to make several podium designs that were cheaper, but Australian churches didn't like them as much, and voted with their purchases. We would have preferred that they did because in many ways since the Arc is so difficult to make. However the upside is that the churches realized that long after the price is forgotten, they still have the pleasure of a great podium. You may think that we must be joking; it is only a bit of round metal with a tube and a bit of acrylic for the top- it can’t be that complicated? It would seem so. It is indeed easy to do a bad job of making a podium, but difficult to do it very, very well. Our podiums have no visible welds, no visible screws and are lighter than almost all other lecterns on the market that we know. We pride ourselves on making an exceptional product.
Where are your pulpits made?
We make all of our pulpits and tables here in Australia because we are obsessed with quality. We insist on using premium materials and owner and proncipal designer Stephen Procter oversees the production of every pulpit. We care about our customers getting the very best product for their money and constantly make changes to improve our products. We continuously check the quality of the materials used and our methods of manufacture to make sure you get a stunning product, at a great price, which will last you many years. We have custom-made most of the machinery involved in making our products and we employ a fantastic team of dedicated specialists. This has meant that we are Pulpit Specialists! We have a small design studio and factory in Sydney, Australia.
How do I attach a microphone?
Good question. We now have a special version of the Arc with mic inputs. Click here to see more.
Why should I buy a lectern from you and not get a cheaper copy?
There are many advantages in buying from us.
- We are pulpit specialists. We have been making these for many years, so any problems have been solved. You are not part of a ‘ first run’ test. We anticipate that problems with the copy lecterns will start to show after 12 months use.
- It is from the designers hand, so small differences like the radius where the stem joins the flared cones, makes the stem look more fluid. The designer’s proportions and exact finishes have been maintained, so you get a more pleasing look to the eye.
- The finish is brushed all over so that you don’t get nasty reflections from stage lighting.
- It is made from stainless steel 304. This is excellent quality.
- If the unthinkable happens and you were to break a top, you can buy a replacement from us.
- There are no visible screws.
- The stem is welded. A cheap copy (we have inspected it) has screws to join the end-flared parts. This will loosen over time.
- Each stem is ‘balanced’ by us using special jigs and techniques. This means that the top will sit straight. Our stems costs a lot more to make than the copy stems, but there is no way we would make them like that. They are not reliable and we don’t want to deal with unhappy churches calling us in a years time.
- Our Arc 1 and Arc 2 lecterns are more lightweight – easy to lift with one hand.
- ALL of our lecterns are made in Australia. This means that we can keep a close eye on the manufacture and production of each lectern. Don't be fooled by cheap imitations!
We recommend hand washing (they will survive a dishwasher for a while but all plastic eventually begins to degrade in the dishwasher which might cause them to eventually split when you push in the lid.)
In reality washing them by hand means just rinsing them, so it almost ends up being the same time as loading them in a dishwasher, unloading etc.
What kind of cups are used in the communion trays?
Small plastic cups which are available from most church supply shops or websites are suitable (normally around $15-$25 per 1000). They are approximately 2-3 cm in diameter and 3 cm high. Glass communion cups can also be used.
Can you use bread in the communion trays?
The area in center of the tray is where you place bread (cut into small pieces) or wafers or water crackers that have been broken up.
How many cups does each communion tray carry?
32 cups
How high can you stack the communion trays?
We recommend up to 6 high, but we have seen a stack of fully laden communion trays up to 20 high carried with ease. A pip on each foot of the tray fits into the tray below helping to keep them to stack safely.
