Church technical leaders know what it feels like to live in a world of more. Their jobs are in the creative space of possibility--which means the options are endless.
The other thing that is endless? Expectations.
With so many ideas, events, volunteers and worshipers, it can quickly put a strain on our resources of time, money and energy.
The word decide is related to the Latin root word for "to cut." Think incision and scissors. Decide means quite literally to "cut off other options." Focus requires that "cutting off." To focus on something means we cut off our attention from other things.
We asked church technical leaders to share the one thing they planned to stop doing in 2016. This is what they said:
I plan to stop taking work home with me. I think a lot of people in the church technical community struggle with taking our work and ministry home with us. In fact, I think we take it further than that. Many times we not only take it home, but take it to bed (it's the last thing we're thinking about), on vacation (turn off that phone!) and even to other churches when we're not serving. No wonder so many people in ministry struggle with burnout, anxiety, stress and a weight that is not fully ours to carry. Then, add the importance of serving our family and friends well, living responsibly, living a healthy spiritual life, and serving and worshiping in areas outside of our chosen profession in ministry and we've got a level of insanity that I'm not sure most human beings would be able to survive. I'm promising myself that I'm going to do better at dividing up my days so that I can focus more intently and passionately on what I'm doing at that point in time and then leave it behind when the time comes so that I can focus just as intently and passionately on a different facet of life. Jason Castellente, Technical Director of National Community Church in Washington, DC. @jdcastellente.
My plan and goal is to stop doing the majority of training at the church and look for and develop ways that volunteers can train from home. Hands on operation obviously would still need to be done onsite, and would be done during rehearsals, but there is a lot that could be learned at home without the volunteer having to spend another night out. - Eric Chancey, Audio Director, Victory Family Church in Cranberry Township, PA. @bigdaddydecibel
I need to stop making announcements the majority of our social media posts. We're working hard on changing our strategy to 70% in the moment ministry happenings, pastor generated content, & life change stories from people in our church and only about 30% announcement posts. Will Chapman, Media Outreach Minister at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church in Allen, TX. @will4president
I plan to stop assuming there is enough communication to production staff and volunteers. Nate Busch, Production Director for Southside Church in Peachtree City, GA @natebusch
The one thing I plan on stopping in 2016 is our current system of managing our video production projects. For many reasons, we will start charging the ministries for videos. Charging for videos will help them plan accordingly for their projects every year due to having time to budget and plan out their events and video needs ahead of time. We will be able to schedule out a year in advance. Taking this action will help minimize the need for those last minute ministry-event videos. Of course, we know there will be some emergencies. We are doing a trial test now with our Calvary Chapel school. Our goal is not about the money, again it all goes back into the church. This decision is driven by needing better organization. We are a ministry that is here to serve no matter what. Christina Jessup, Sr. Director of Production for Calvary Chapel Melbourne in Melbourne, FL. @christinajessup
I plan to stop changing stage designs so often. Rather than a physical set change per series or event, I'll have fewer, more versatile designs that are more based around lighting and that only change about 4 times a year. Huge time saver and allows us to put more resources into the stage designs we do make. Also, basing designs around lighting and not physical set pieces allows for a much larger variety of looks and feels, in a clean and elegant design. - Kaleb Wilcox, Technical Arts Director of Willow Creek Community Church North Shore in Chicago, IL. @kalebwilcox
As for me, I plan to stop deciding things are not possible based on the amount of time and money I have. If I wait until I'm fully funded, my dreams might not come to pass. (Because, I may never be "fully funded" with money, time or energy.) It occurs to me that all of the things I want...to be philanthropic, to travel, to practice my art...are within reach, as long as I change the way I see the scale. Giving $100 instead of $100,000. Taking a day trip instead of going to Europe. Writing a blog instead of writing a book. Creating digital art instead of painting a canvas. I'm going to stop limiting dreams. - Cathy Hutchison, Writer of this Post and Director of Connection for Idibri. @Cathy_H
