As a live sound engineer, I thought I should try to clear a few things up. First of all, a microphone is typically wired directly to the input of a mixing console, via a snake (bundled microphone cables) or in-wall microphone cables. The microphone goes to the console, not to a wall outlet. The current that electrocuted the pastor was almost certainly 48-volt "phantom power". Phantom power is sent from the mixing console to power certain types of microphones (condensers). This is typically switchable on mixers - you can turn phantom power on or off. Most handheld vocal microphones are "dynamic" microphones and do not have any need for phantom power. But most low- and mid-cost mixers only allow switching of phantom power "globally" - meaning for all channels (microphones) at the same time, rather than the more expensive option of switching "per channel". So if -any- of the church's microphones require phantom power, it would have been turned on, and likely turned on to -all- microphones. Normally this is not a problem, as dynamic microphones simply ignore the phantom power. It can, however, be a danger in certain situations.
For example, if the sound system had a 60 hertz "ground loop" hum problem, one (unsafe) solution is to put "ground lift" devices on power cables at the wall outlet. These are the little grey plugs which take a three-prong (grounded) plug and turn it into a two-prong (ungrounded) plug. It sometimes fixes a hum problem, but it removes the chassis (safety) ground from the equipment to which it is attached. Combine a missing ground, 48V phantom power, and a pastor holding a microphone while standing in water, and you can end up with a problem.
Or someone just randomly had the switch turned to that setting - if as you say it's harmless to mikes that don't need the power.
If the ground of the system actually wasn't connected to ground at all as you suggest possible, whence would the current loop be completed?
http://www.ubcwaco.org/2004/ubc_holder.html
PRESS RELEASE
From:University Baptist Church , Waco, Texas Leadership Team
Re:University Baptist Church , Waco, Texas / Kyle Lake
Dated: October 31, 2005; 4 :00 p.m.
The congregation of University Baptist Church continues to mourn the loss of its pastor Kyle Lake as a result of an accidental electrocution at services on Sunday, October 30, 2005. The determination of the cause of the accident is being reviewed by technical professionals and authorities. We have no further information available to us at this time about the cause of this tragedy. As a result of the need to allow for the evaluation of the facilities and this accident, Sunday services for November 6, 2005 for University Baptist Church will be moved to the chapel at Truett Seminary.
Our focus at this time is to mourn the loss of Kyle Lake and to celebrate his life with his family, the University Baptist Church congregation and the community.
The funeral services have been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at First Baptist Church of Waco, 500 Webster – corner of 5th and Clay. Viewing is at 12:00 noon.