Amongst a team of volunteer’s in the tech/media/audio/visual/digerati department of the church, there are many valuable skills. The most prized possession is usually a set of ears to do an amazing sound mix, some people value the highly sought after talent of video editing MTV style. As much as these talents are sought after highly, I have different priorities.
I know in my church, in my department there is only one talent I prize above all others, dare I say many churches and perhaps even yours would be very similar.
Arriving (on time or early is preferable).
A video editing extraordinaire once offered his honed skills to me to serve in my church, we were going to do amazing things, yet never turned up. A certain sound engineer had the ears of an angel but was unable to be at anything when required. I’ve met many passionate people in my time serving at SURFCiTY Church but only only some of them have arrived, stayed, served and built the kingdom.
The only talent you can impress me with now after 6 years in the ministry is your ability to arrive (on time or early is preferable). Second to that is your ability to stay until the end, thirdly your ability to do what is asked of you.
Your university degree, or experience at another church and the hours you’ve spent reading manuals and training books means diddly squat when you’re not in a place where God can use it.
That’s my story at church, encouragment is thrown my way quite often, congregants think my videos are stunning, or that sound mix was delictable and my servanthood will surely be earning me treasures in heaven. My reply to them is that I am probably the least skilled, most unable person to be doing my job, but my team and self are the only ones arriving at 7:30am Sunday at the moment. My prayer is that others would arrive around me, replace me and do greater things than me, simply by arriving.
Amen brother… I’ve been leading tech teams for 11 years at my church and I seen have volunteers come and go. The 2 biggest things I look for is someone responsible and teachable. I need someone who will be here when they say they will and I need someone who is willing to listen and learn. None of us know everything and we can learn from each other and help grow the ministry as a team when we arrive on time and listen to each other.
amen, amen, amen. As with any team, it’s got far more to do with spirit than skill.
If your spirit isn’t one of service then you can stay at home. Most people can be taught the skill, teaching spirit is a far more difficult thing to do.
Thanks for your encouragement guys
I echo your sentiments as I led my team, including raising them up because they truly are the ones doing most of the work. Of course, showing up consistently is one of the biggest things people offer as long as they can receive training, support and encouragement.
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I only recently became the official unofficial tech guy at Church. Partly because I’m the only one with an understanding of how everything works together, partly because we have a new sound system, but mostly because I put in a ridiculous amount of hours to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.
In my limited time doing this, both at Church and Youth Group, it is even apparent to me that merely showing up to set things up, and staying after to take care of things, is the single most critical step to making it happen.
Glad to know I’m not the only one dealing with this.
YES!
If only I could write that in letters 10ft tall then you’ll know I’m with you Josh. When I used to lead the ushers at my Church it was my single biggest hurdle to get over – getting someone to turn up on time (sometimes just to turn up was a miracle) and I definitely want to see folks walk the walk first ….
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