Whether you've been involved in Church Media for days or decades, I'm sure you have some basic advice to share.

What is the one bit of really important advice you'd like to pass along?

(Please, I know this is an opportunity for humor, but let's really try to keep this one serious.)

I'll cheat and give two, an obvious one and a not-so-obvious one.

#1) Plan ahead. It makes all the difference in the world.

#2) Don't overlook the older people when putting together your media team. Some may not be as swift with the equipment, but they'll be committed and reliable.

People think/read faster than they sing so change the slide before the last word/syllable is sung (thanks Tim for that one)

LeAnn

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Always test your equipment ahead of time and try to simulate real-world situation with conditions that are as close to the real thing as possible.

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"I've recently discovered that most of our imports come from other countries."

When it comes to copyright, when in doubt, don't. Make sure you absolutely know you have permission to use something before you do.

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~Phil Graves
Owner Out of the Mud Multimedia

Wanna read my blog?

Have contingency plans in place and ready to roll. Periodically sit down with the plan and see where it might not work.

"Sure you have a backup power supply for the computer in case of power failure... what what about the projector?"

Share the contingency plan with members of the team.

"When you're sweating bullets running around like a head-less chicken trying to setup the back-up projector, redirect the VGA cable to the front of the room, and search for the missing power cord -- it's nice to know there's another head-less chicken running around with you."

Just because you can afford it, you're not necessarily called to buy it.

"What's the difference between a $100 unit (what you have in your budget) and a $1000 unit (church sponsorship or nine other benefactors)?"

Video Production:

Don't be conservative in your plans. Push toward stretching capabilities - so when these must inevitably be scaled back in the heat of the shoot - you have a built-in buffer to still reach a high quality result despite the scale back. (Example, plan 4 manned cameras - you still end up with 2 strong cam operators, 1 cam running unmanned, and breathing space to totally drop the 4th because of unusable footage/technical difficulty/whatever). Same in planning for specialized shots - you'll never get that aerial view or time-lapse if it's not in the plan. Sometimes they actually work to add that something extra to an otherwise fine video.

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teresa@WORDpictures visual media

Every interaction with a team member, member of the pastoral staff, church staff, congregation, etc. is both a teaching opportunity and learning opportunity. Don't forget that you are His.

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Cory Champion
Technical Director
Cambria Baptist Church

Your volunteers are your top resource. Treat them well and they will treat you well.

A smile and a simple "thank you" can go a long way -- both for your volunteers and paid staff as well.

God never called anyone to pull off a perfect service. Strive for excellence, but stand in grace. God isn't reliant on technical flawlessness to work in someone's life.

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Tim Eason
ChurchMedia.net Founder
(Owner from 1995-April 2008)
See me on Facebook

be thankful-

thankful that you have volunteers

be thankful for the gear you have

be thankful for the training you have

and especially, be thankful for CMN!