Matt made a comment several episodes ago about mentoring and teaching other church members in tech. I know that I fail at teaching and bringing others up in the tech ministry.
Matt's comment got me thinking about ways to do that. One thing that I thought about was leading a small group on Using Technology in the Church. I imagine a lesson that would study several different areas (similar to a lot of the G&G podcasts) including Website design, Website features, worship presentation (lyric projection), worship lighting, video production, worship audio, office technology... Each week a subject could be discussed. The main person for each area could explain the current method and get feedback and hopefully volunteers to improve that area.
Has anyone done something similar or better? Does anyone know of a discussion guide that would work for this kind of small group?
Encouragement...
Hey kswan....
I just want to really encourage your heart and direction here....first, the fact that you will openly confront your 'failure' says a LOT about your character. So, keep up that attitude, that's stuff that will do big things for The Kingdom.
Second, I think you're dead on here. What you suggest sounds like a fantastic idea. I have never thought of tech people in terms of "small group", but I think it's an excellent direction. I have nothing to add, other than to say "Move forward with this and let us know how it goes!!" Keep doing what you're doing.
I've got no resources for you..sorry! Anyone else?
-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.bobchristenson.com
Do It
I love the idea of having a group like this. That's exactly what would help more churches, get people involved, and all kinds of other good stuff.
This won't be easy. Pray about it, take the frustration as it comes, and keep on doing it. If you chase this please blog about it so others can learn from your experiences.
Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mattfarina.com
Like a laser
kswan
I think tech small groups/training sessions are a great thing to do. We have done a couple in the past and my one piece of advise is this. STAY ON TARGET. Much like the guys and their show notes, have a clearly defined path of where you want to go and keep the conversation moving in that direction. We had a video meeting where the conversation flow went something like this video -> editing -> mac vs pc -> graphics programs -> web design software -> CSS -> and so on. We geeks tend to jump off topic very quickly so you have to watch out for it. Plan your talk with a solid outline and the major points you want to hit. In the end you and your team will get a lot more out of it.
As far as material, I haven't heard of anything for a group study. Check out the index page of a book and use that as a starting point of your outline. Also, if you know other more qualified people to teach a subject, don't be afraid to invite them in. Its very cool to have a pro photographer show the best way to frame shots, handle real world lighting problems an so forth.
-sirkyle
The conviction continues
I just read a great article (http://www.churchproduction.co...) by Anthony Coppedge about tech team burnout.
The point that really hit me is:
The technical ministry is not about the tech. It's about the people behind the tech.
I think sirkyle had some good advice. I hope that I can find a study guide or something to help. I am already too overcommitted to develop something on my own. Maybe I can get what I need from the "Perfect Church" series.
Any other suggestions will be appreciated.
Teaching and Mentoring!!!!
I've been there. I've been over committed and burned out. It sucks.
I think you are half right about tech ministry. It is about the people. But, it's also about God, His message, and His plan. Notice the one thing it's not about. It's not about the technology. Technology helps enable these things. It's a tool.
My suggestion is 3 fold. First, make it about the people and about God. Take the time to pray. As a ministry do some bible studies. And, let God lead you in this and don't try to set your own direction.
Next, don't try to do everything. If God wants you to do everything he would give you the people. Don't over complicate your lives.
Third, it's about teaching and mentoring. Jesus gives us a great outline for how to function and bring people into the fold in Matthew 28. He says to go and make more disciples and one of the elements to that is teaching.
Well, that's what you need as an integral part of your setup. You need to teach and mentor new people. Get them involved, excited about ministry, and get them knowledgeable on what needs to be done.
I am sure there are more thoughts out there and insights that I haven't seen. I would love to read them. Any other thoughts out there on this?
Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mattfarina.com
More on training...
Saw that this post sorta petered out a few months ago, but it's such a passion of mine that I'm opening it up again (hope that's OK!)...
FOR THE VOLUNTEER LEADER
If you're running your tech with all volunteers (a great thing, to be sure), training isn't a "good idea", it's the best idea. Sure, it makes them better and tech can be distraction-free, but the real advantage is that the pressure of the "hot seat" goes way down so the volunteer role is more about serving with fun than serving under pressure.
Ask the church leadership to pay for Chick-Fil-A for a working lunch once a month at the church after Sunday services. Take an hour and a half to:
1) Encourage! Tell them how much you appreciate every volunteer; from the person running sound to the person checking spelling on the song lyrics.
2) Develop: Without touching anything with a button or light on it, do a devotional about service and humility or sacrifice and worship or leadership and responsibility.
3) THEN do some hands on training that gives them a chance to ask the "dumb questions" or "hey, what if..." questions. Plus, it gives the new volunteers a chance to walk into a "safe" situation where a service isn't riding on the line.
4) Encourage! Spend some time giving kudos on great "saves" that a person did that averted a disaster or recorved quickly and gracefully from a mishap.
IF YOU RUN PAID STAFF:
Do the exact same thing...but also spend time doing professional training. If the church is going to invest in personnel, they must also invest in lots of training.
I wrote an article about this a while back:
http://www.anthonycoppedge.com...
You can never over-train. You can, however, set yourself and your volunteers up for disaster (and a high turnover rate) by NOT training.
Hope this helps,
Anthony
Anthony D. Coppedge, CTS
Church Media Consultant
WEB: www.anthonycoppedge.com/blogs
"Our consulting firm helped the chicken to not only cross the road, but to change and become more successful in the process."
Thanks Anthony
Thank you for some good suggestions. As a volunteer leader of a volunteer team, I like the idea of meeting once a month. The thought of a weekly meeting was overwhelming.
BTW, as you can see from my earlier post, I am challenged and encouraged by your articles and blogs.
Thank you.
"Ask the church leadership
"Ask the church leadership to pay for Chick-Fil-A for a working lunch once a month at the church after Sunday services."
Chik-Fil-A is closed on Sundays... ;)