Most ministries in most churches can’t exist without volunteers.

I know, the wisdom just oozes from my ears.  Try to keep up with my stellar brain-power, if you can.  In all seriousness, the truth is; volunteers help the church go ’round.

Naturally, because a lot of our tools consist of computers, cables, connections and software, students are usually the fastest learners and have the most free time.  They are eager to jump in, pick it up in no time, and can’t wait to tell their friends about how they are ‘experts.’

With the power of young volunteers who are at your beckon call and have the energy that comes with it, you’ll most likely inherit some irresponsibility too.

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Does this sound familiar?

A staff member or volunteer just gave some announcements, and now it’s time for offering. A few moments pass. Increasingly uncomfortable.

Ok, it just got awkward. Someone forgot their cue, timing is off, no one is coming to the mic, there’s obvious concern, but no one knows who’s supposed to call and/or pray for the tithes and offering.

In fact, the only thing that’s pulled everyone’s attention away from the awkward situation is the guy towards the back who is doing “the nervous cough.” Murmuring starts and finally someone, anyone steps up and does the job.

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Have you ever had a client or boss say something like this:

I just need a logo.  Nothing crazy, but it grabs your attention, makes you look twice. Can you have it by tomorrow?

What some people don’t understand is this: The process of doing is different than the process of creating.

You see, if while he’s talking to me, I start to see a concept in my head of something I want to try, or have a style I think would work for the project – it probably wont take too long. However, if I’m drawing a blank when it comes to the potential look of this thing it may take days!

Color, style, size, and shape are all elements that have to be taken into account, and once you have a concept in your head, you can move forward, but you can’t just pull a creative concept out of wang chung, right?

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I saw this commercial from Hot Pocket the other day, and it cracked me up!  Take a look:

[Editor: God, I'm so hungry now...]

There’s at least a couple reasons it made me laugh so hard: It brings back memories of Jim Gaffagin’s timeless Hot Pockets jokes, and it’s also a humorous example of the evolution of the Church from the older generation to my generation.

While the younger generation is  free-spirited and flippantly eating on the go, the older generation is scared of what society will come to if people are allowed to eat at any other place than the table.  Seemingly, they use intimidation tactics to try and stop the younger generation from doing a new thing.

Is this a metaphor for Media and the Church? I think so…

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For years, my personal motto has been this:

Love God. Love People. Create Interest.

Before I go into explaining further, I want to encourage anyone who doesn’t have some sort of personal mission statement, get one.  The reason is simple: It brings some focus to your actions, thoughts, and the way you see people.

If you can’t think of one, you can have mine – I ripped it off from the Bible anyway.

Now that we’re squared, let me share with you the strategy behind my motto.

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There’s several different views when it comes to using (and defining) ‘media’ in the Church.

Some people don’t think we need it in the Church.  Some people want some, but not all.  Others exclaim, “This is Church, not a rock concert!”  Some people want the lights, but not the haze.  Some want the scripture slides, but not the videos.  Some people want it all, even to the extent that it over powers the message.

Like everything in life, there’s a balance that needs to be kept.  Here’s a few simple questions I’ve been asked and that I consider in terms of ‘Church Media’: Continue reading »