Recording live to CD requires you get the mix right the first time. With no opportunity to fix problems, use an audio mixer sophisticated enough to provide a separate mix specifically for the CD recorder. While lower cost mixers provide separate mixes for stage monitors and "the house," you will need a mixer that provides a third output for each channel to create a mix that works for the CD. Ensure the equipment is connected properly to avoid hum or noise caused by grounding loops or improperly grounded audio equipment.
The CD recorder should include balanced (grounded) XLR inputs. One model designed specifically for church applications is the MicroBoards CopyWriter Live Dual Deck CD recorder. The design of this deck includes two CD recorders allowing you to simultaneously record a two discs at once or span two discs if the recording time exceeds the capacity of a single disc. This unit includes professional XLR inputs. Companies such as Tascam, Sony and Teac each provide professional CD recorder models that will fulfill your basic needs at various price points to accommodate your budget.
The purpose of recording live to CD is to speed the duplication process, so don't neglect the final leg of the journey. Duplication units that can produce six to nine discs (units with seven to 10 CD bays with one bay used for the master) can quickly provide enough discs ready to distribute before members and guests are ready to leave. Using a stock of recordable CDs that have been pre-printed with the church logo and speaker information avoids time wasted printing discs afterward. Provide masters for as many duplication units as you need to fulfill the requests of your membership. Larger churches may require multiple 10 bay disc duplicators to meet their needs. As a result, a CD recorder must be dedicated to provide a master for each duplicator being used. In other words, if you have four duplicators used, you will need four CD recorders recording the service at the same time. Use a distribution amplifier to split the audio signal from the mixer output to feed each of the four CD recorders.