Lack of Leadership

[two hands]

I'm new here, I heard about the site on the Tech Arts Network podcasts and think it will be a place I come often!
I am looking for advice. I have looked through the forums and haven't seen this topic discussed yet.
I am a volunteer for a church of about 500+. We have a head of the media (presentation), head of the sound and the worship pastor who oversees worship and both tech ministries.
Not to sound Proud, God has shown me that humble service is what he requires. I am the arguably the most talented person in either sound or media at the present time. I definitely feel God has called me to serve in tech ministry, and has gifted me accordingly.
I get frustrated with serving in the media tech due to the lack of creativity of our leaders. They far to often seem to think the only way to get "better" tech is to spend money, not invest in actual talent and ability. I am a motion graphic designer and amateur filmmaker in my spare time and our leader love what I can create. My problem is if I am creating graphics without their direction and vision, I feel it is my agenda and not the vision of our church. None of the people in charge are creative or seek the advice of creative people so they lack the ability to direct me.
Equally in sound, the head of the department is working on purchasing new speakers for our sanctuary in the range of $30,000. He believes this will fix the sound issues. This past Sunday I sat in to mix front of house because I feel God calling me to do so and I had been praying about it for a couple of weeks. I have mixed front of house off and on for a few years now. I wanted to see if I could do a proper job based on the current configuration of the system. After sitting through practice, I had to boost the high on the lead vocal on the board all the way and cut the mid and low completely to almost bring clarity to his vocals. I know this is not right, you don't have to tell me. I still sounded better than it has! Their is an EQ behind a grill with a DO NOT TOUCH sticker The worship pastor is the only one on staff, he is musically gifted but technically challenged.
How can I stop them from spending money on equipment we don't need, and see that talent is what they need. I want to respecting their leadership, knowing they are less knowledgeable and still staying humble. As I say, I am no one, I don't have a degree saying I know anything, but I believe in a God who has the power to give me the ability I need to accomplish whatever he calls me to do. I also believe that is part of the key, I feel I am called and their is a difference between a willingness and a calling!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[cmchamp]

sounds to me as if either there are drivers blown in your current speakers, they need re-voiced, or the room needs acoustical correction - probably all three, but I'd start with assessing the drivers and addressing the acoustics.
C.

[tdangelo]

Originally Posted by two hands

I'm new here, I heard about the site on the Tech Arts Network podcasts and think it will be a place I come often!

WELCOME! I too listen to many tech podcasts including ones at Tech Arts Networks. I didn’t know there was a mention about CMN. Nice to hear that. I think this is a pretty cool & active site. I think you will find a lot of good stuff here.

Originally Posted by two hands

I get frustrated with serving in the media tech due to the lack of creativity of our leaders.

I would challenge you that your gifts & feeling of frustration might be exactly why you are at that church! Sounds backwards, huh? But it’s not. My wife (deceased) was in many ways the polar opposite of me. But that is why I needed her, and she, me. God may have you at that church, supporting the these leaders because you are so different from them. It sounds like you will be able to compliment their shortfalls. You will just need to learn to not get frustrated in the process (see 1 Corinthians - Chapter 12).

Originally Posted by two hands

They far to often seem to think the only way to get "better" tech is to spend money, not invest in actual talent and ability.

What would be a few ways they could invest in talent and ability? What do you think?

Originally Posted by two hands

None of the people in charge are creative or seek the advice of creative people so they lack the ability to direct me.

Agreed. That’s a problem. Unfortunately I’ve seen it in many churches. Your Pastors may not know what to ask for. You know that Pastors speak a different language than tech or creative people, right? They probably don’t get you. And you might not get them.

I think the key is to communicate to them (in ways they can understand) what your aspirations are for this type of ministry. I would not be surprised if they see a fire in you, as you communicate to them in a way they can understand, and that they give you the resources and authority to starting building the type tech arts creative ministry you are looking for which invests in people.

Originally Posted by two hands

How can I stop them from spending money on equipment we don't need, and see that talent is what they need.

Realistically I am not sure, aside from praying for them, that there is anything you can do to help them be better stewards regarding finances. My suggestion would be to find another ministry which leadership respects that you think is “doing it right,” and use that as example to them in your discussions with them. Give them DVDs or email them links to examples of what you think is effective. Also, I would suggest first discussing with them the goal, and then after you have persuaded them on the goal then discuss the process. Both need to be communicated, but they will not be interested in the process without first being sold on the goal.