The Young Tech Guy

[jordanwiseman]

Hi there!

I'm 14 years old and volunteer in my church's media ministry on a regular basis. It started out running MediaShout in our youth department, but I now run MediaShout for our main adult service and youth. I also video direct for the 3 adult services about once a month. I generally am working in a "techie" area (volunteer) every weekend.

I love what I do, but I'm also a graphic designer and would love to start making graphics for my church. The issue is that we already have full-time staff for that. I understand they may not want me helping out with this because it's technically apart of their job, but at times it seems like they could use a little more help.

School would not prevent me from doing this, as I take online classes and I can work on them at anytime of the day.

I would love to have a shot at working on videos and graphics for them, but they don't seem too "for" the idea at the moment. Of course, I would love a paid job, but I would have no problem with doing it on a volunteer basis.

What do you guys think?

[petereit]

The hesitancy you're seeing in the paid staff is that they're accountable to their employer, the church. When they're assigned a job with a deadline, they produce on time or they may lose their source of income. It's a potent motivator. They're most likely working in a very quick turnaround environment that necessitates strict adherence to a carefully orchestrated workflow.

It may be that volunteers just don't fit into that workflow. Since they're not on the payroll, there's really no risk to a volunteer if they don't deliver the goods by the deadline. And even though they KNOW they're volunteers, many still feel that they are "owed" something for the work they contribute. Artists often come with egos.

One approach you might take with them is to ask if you can be an intern. You would have an opportunity to be a fly on the wall in planning meetings to watch and learn their creative processes and workflows. And while they're working to create the "real" media, you could be working on your own on the same material. AFTER Sunday's service is finished, you could present your work and get their professional feedback.

What this does is allow you to slowly integrate yourself into their creative systems, learn their workflow and hopefully demonstrate to them your skill and ability to work within their deadlines. Since they're not depending on you for any deliverables (at first) you don't present any risk to them, so long as your presence doesn't disrupt their workflow.

Over time, as you continually demonstrate your skill and RELIABILITY, they may begin to give you real work that they will count on you to deliver. DELIVER!! Remember -- early is on time. On time is late. Consistently deliver quality work BEFORE it's due, and you'll write your own ticket.

[Paris MkVI]

Jordan, I first have to say how I enjoyed reading your intelligently expressed and worded posting.

Who supervises you? Go to your leader with your desires. Know that the answer might be, "Not at this time". That's OK, because God has perfect timing! Ours seldom matches His, but that is because He is God as we aren't.

You sound like you approach this with a servant's heart, and that is good. I read an article once that had a statement in it that just stopped me in my tracks. I have shared it many times and incorporated it into my serving approach. It is simply this.

I must not ask my church to bear the weight of my creative dreams. In my area of service, I must serve my church. I must not ask, expect or require my church to serve me.

I think you are already in that frame of mind, which is awesome. I wanted to offer the words, in the event they speak to your serving heart. Then, if they do speak to you, you can tuck them away and share them with others.

I pray the door for service opens for you. But trust God's timing, and don't over-commit yourself (one I have been guilty of).

I must remember to do what I should do, not necessarily what I can do.

[KeckCreative]

Great advice already given. I second the demonstrate your skill and reliability, with the emphasis on reliability. Your attitude toward others and projects will make a huge difference on the degree of opportunies given. If you are given the opportunity but given simple and low priority tasks, make sure you treat them with the same quality and effort that you would bigger high profile tasks. Attitude, Action and Ability are the keys. If you have the right Attitude you will be able to take Action on your Abilities.