Pexels.com
One of the fastest growing ministry areas today is easily the discipline of church filmmaking. Churches across the country and around the world are beginning to realize the power of media to inspire, teach and empower ministry, both in weekend worship and beyond the wall of the church.
If possible, try to begin the conversation months ahead of budget deadlines and be willing to show that you’re being faithful with what you have today.
Building an effective film ministry from the ground up, however, presents a distinct set of challenges for directors and producers. By and large, executive leadership at most churches have little to no background in digital cinema production and are generally unaware of the significant equipment and personnel resources needed to create impactful films. This unawareness often leads to a disconnect between what is expected of a film team and the resources needed to meet those expectations.
To lead effectively, film team directors will need to develop the ability to cast vision in a way that resonates deeply with pastors and executives.
To lead effectively, film team directors will need to develop the ability to cast vision in a way that resonates deeply with pastors and executives. It means speaking their leadership language and framing the conversation in a way that make the outcome you’re looking for an easy ‘yes.’ Fortunately, this is not as difficult as it might sound at first blush.
Perspectives
Before beginning the conversation about the appropriate resourcing for ministry, it’s important to begin by realigning your perspective. From a worldly perspective we do non-profit work, which means never having enough time, money or people to accomplish what we’re attempting. It’s a scarcity mentality, and it can tempt us to believe that it’s pointless to ask for the tools we need.
But God’s resources are limitless. As we move out in faith we can trust God to provide what we need along the way. If we allow fear to dictate our plans, however, we’re doomed to defeat before we begin. And that holds true in the realm of line items and budget meetings as well.
As we move out in faith we can trust God to provide what we need along the way. If we allow fear to dictate our plans, however, we’re doomed to defeat before we begin.
The other perspective we need to have in the front of our minds is that of the pastor and executive leaders. It’s easy to see our executive as the bottleneck, the person standing in the way of what we’re trying to accomplish. The reality, however, is that these leaders are people who’ve dedicated their lives to helping people find their way to God, and to bringing His kingdom here on earth. For them film is an unproven tool that’s only recently become a part of the ministry toolbox. It’s helpful to keep this perspective forefront in your mind when discussing resources.
Executive leaders also have the profound duty of stewarding the finite resources of their specific congregation. In other words, it’s their responsibility to make good investments based on the results those investments could produce. Before beginning a process to increase the level of resourcing your film ministry receives, it’s important to be able to clearly explain the kind of impact your ministry is already making in the life of the church.
Articulating impact
While it’s tempting to feel like a film team’s impact should speak for itself, good leadership requires us to clearly express the value of our ministry. Great film teams share the stories of what God’s doing in the individual lives of congregation, inspiring people towards worship and deeper discipleship. Stories like these also illustrate return on investment for people who faithfully give to the church. Film ministries also increase the perceived value and impact of weekend worship, help congregations stay informed and communicate the mission of the church beyond its walls via social media.
... good leadership requires us to clearly express the value of our ministry.
Once you’re clear about the impact your film team is making, the next step is to set up a time with your executive leadership where you share that impact and make a clear ask for increased resources. Begin by asking for the meeting time necessary for a focused, meaningful conversation. Consider meeting off campus at a coffee shop or diner, and show that you value your leader’s time by arriving prepared. For an important meeting like this it’s usually wise to make an outline of what you want to say ahead of time. This will help your leader feel more open to listening and help keep the conversation focused on what really matters.
Pexels.com
During this meeting do your best to speak their language. Remember that they don’t know, or frankly even care, about things like dynamic range or 4K. They do care, however, about things like opportunity loss. Share with them how many hours a week are spent on important things like producing for weekend worship, ministry support and external communication. Ask their advice and perspective about which matters most.
Next, let them know what you’re currently having to say "no" to, and what’s standing in the way of being able to say "yes." Do you need more staff help? Is your gear incapable of performing the task?
Next, let them know what you’re currently having to say "no" to, and what’s standing in the way of being able to say "yes." Do you need more staff help? Is your gear incapable of performing the task? Are your computers woefully out of date and keeping you from maximizing your output? Make sure you’re clear about what you need and that you’re reasonable with what you’re requesting. Also, make sure you discuss what you’re currently doing to meet increase your capacity before asking for additional budget. Growing your volunteer and intern teams, as well as improving your existing infrastructure, will communicate a lot about your dedication and seriousness of intent.
Finally, keep the conversation on an even emotional keel and make sure to create space for your executive to ask questions and offer suggestions. We all feel deeply about the work we’re creating and the impact we’re having, but you’ll get a lot further with an executive leader if they feel like a helpful teammate rather than an adversary.
Finally, keep the conversation on an even emotional keel and make sure to create space for your executive to ask questions and offer suggestions.
In conclusion
Ultimately, when you’re trying to convince your leadership to resource your film ministry it’s best to remember that resources follow impact, not the other way around. If possible, try to begin the conversation months ahead of budget deadlines and be willing to show that you’re being faithful with what you have today. The process may take longer than you want initially, but the end results will almost always be worth the investment.
