Biggest Frustrations for a Media Minister

[jcsoldier2000]

One of my biggest frustrations I guess is lack of support from the congregation. Every1 has an opinion no how things should be runned, but no one wants to step up..

[Pastor Ryan]

One thing that has been rough for me is volunteers signing up, asking to be scheduled and then either not showing up, or calling late the night before to say they have changed their mind.

[Paris MkVI]

I can't recommend it for every church. But I have to admit, I like the approach Andy Stanley takes.

I am paraphrasing. But I understand he basically tells the congregation to talk to the pastoral staff about where they are going to serve. If they are not planning to serve, he lets them know they're "occupying someone else's seat." He lets them know there are plenty of other churches where they will be welcomed to just sit.

That's tough-love talk. Perhaps it is not for every church to hear from the pulpit. But I have to admit, I like it.

[trik]

One of my frustrations is dealing with those in the worship team who thinks they have ‘some’ knowledge in sound and tells you to do stuff like ‘I want a smaller Q at my EQ’ when there is no Q width adjustments on the board. Some are pretty honest and helpful, but the ones that think they know it all will keep taunting me with adjustments that I think is ridiculous.

[The Saint]

Audio . . . my biggest frustration is way too much audio.

We are a Pentecostal church that is way too loud. I have tried to address this issue with the Pastor and he promises to better control the levels, only to instruct my media workers to crank up the volume every Sunday. We have had "experts" come in and agree that our levels are too loud. We are damaging the ear drums of the congregation but my Pastor refuses to take a proactive approach. We have had an insurgence of babies in our congregation. I am most concerned with those who cannot take steps to protect themselves. My biggest frustration, however, is not that I am not listened to but that in knowing the damaging effects my audio ministry is having on the congregation am I not bound by conscious to do something about it, even if it means going against the popular flow???

[Paris MkVI]

Saint, I hear your concern, and it is indeed a valid one.

We use a dB meter and take readings at nine locations in the sanctuary a minimum of once per month. We record those readings and keep them on file. We want to be sure that we are not hurting our people. We also want to have objective information if someone complains things are too loud.

We can let them know we researched the government standards (see table G-16) on exposure to various sound pressure levels over time, and that our services at all times operate well below the maximum recommended levels. We can also let them know the parts of the room that are less intense (we have about a -5dB difference at the rear of the room, and that's quite a bit).

Our sound levels would be acceptable for up to two hours continuous exposure. Of course, we do not even approach that limit.

One approach to consider with your senior pastor/leadership might be this. . .

Prayer first, of course.
Research the maximum recommended sound levels/exposure times.
Record the actual levels in your sanctuary at multiple locations.
Determine a possible specific course of action to eliminate overages.

Then you have concrete information and a plan to present.

Respectfully ask your pastor if, since he has given you the responsibility to oversee the technical aspects of ministry, if he will also release authority to you in that area. That would mean no longer asking the team to "crank it up".

If this approach works, then praise God!

If this approach is not successful, then you must make a decision regarding whether you are able to submit to your pastor's authority in this. If you truly cannot, of course, you would need to step down from the position. Not because of the sound levels, but the submission to authority.

Ultimately that means, is it a hill worth dying on? If it is (and I truly do understand if it is) you can still separate yourself from serving with a respectful attitude towards the elders and with dignity. In short, in a God-honoring fashion.

As for "going against the popular flow", i firmly believe that in leadership, it is NOT our job to make people happy. It is great when we do, sure. But as leaders, the Bible teaches me my job is to equip people to do works of service. If I am not released in an area to do that (authority and responsibility entwined together) then I cannot lead. Simple as that. It is also my job as a leader to be willing to have the "hard conversations".

I am aware of the popular flow - but it does not determine my direction as a leader. God, His Word, and my leaders orient my direction, in that order of authority.

I know you already understand this stuff. I share it in a spirit of encouragement, and to break it away from circumstances and re-orient it to what I perceive as the actual issue. God bless you, brother, and let us know how it goes. We are praying for you!

[jlutat]

I've been involved as a worker in media since starting to attend church 20+ years ago and I'm pretty handy at finding my way around a computer and user friendly softwares. I recently volunteered to record the services and update our webpage.

I need help... I was so glad to have found this site, and I'm hoping that with your help I can get our church website representing the excellent church that it is, and the services recorded available to folks who can't make it in during service.