newbie question... just curious...

Not a whole lot of install experience I own a 32 Par can rig, I've seen a lot of bad installs though.

20-30 feet distance: 1000 watt par 64 or a Source 4 par. Thats a lot of power for an install. The idea is that you will never run your pars more than 80%. Running your cans at 80% (as opposed to full) will give you longer lamp life. You think that 1000 watts is a lot right now, think later on when you want to wash your stage in a deep color. When you start adding gel to fixtures, thats when you see the true capability of your lighting setup.

If you are budgeted for it, upgrade to Source 4 Pars (AMDJ Opti-Pars). Long term, the 575 lamp is MUCH cheaper to replace than a par lamp. Also the Opti-Par's lenses can be changed from wide, narrow, or flood.

Think of the way you are going to dim your lights as well. Nice installs use really nice relable dimmer racks that have replacable modules just in case a channel fails. Most dimmer rack's capacity is 1200-2400 watts per channel. My lighting system is relatively small. I use AMDJ DMX dimmer packs. The packs capacity is 2000 watts (take into account an 80% load rating). For you that's two 1000 watt 64's or four Opti-Par 575's.

Price Breakdown for a small lighting setup with 8 cans. (prices found by surfing the net)

Using 1000 watt par 64's

>8 Par 64s @ $30 each = $480
>4 DMX Dimmer Packs @ $150 each = $600
>8 Par 64 Lamps @ $40 each = $320

TOTAL $1400

Using Source 4 pars with 575 lamps

>8 Opti Pars @ $85 each = $680
>2 DMX Dimmer Packs @ $150 each = $300
>8 HPL 575 lamps @ $30 each = $240

TOTAL= $1220

Several install forums can be found at Pro Sound Web.com

(I was being a jerk when I replied, sorry)

is there one controller that will work for both par cans and dmx equipment... thinking about using something in the way of COLOR-150 DMX*, POWER SPOT 575 and others of this type... do you have any suggestions on this?

DMX operator PRO http://www.americandj.com/product.asp?ProductIDNumber=1400&cat=DMX_Controllers

can you show pics of installations on such products for churches or halls...
and how would you set up for a stage that would be the size of a typical high school?