Tag: ministry

What’s the Word Wednesday

“In the wake of COVID-19, we have a tremendous opportunity to build an army of volunteers and leaders in our church, not just an audience of spectators.”

Todd Adkins, Director of LifeWay Leadership. 

Some may see this time as a stumbling block to their resolutions. Others might see it as an opportunity. This is a very valuable time. Whether you think so or not. COVID-19 has given us a gift. A gift to build on what we didn’t have already. An opportunity to fine tune our skills and abilities. You have volunteers that serve from week to week but did you know that you actually have an untapped army? Use this time to build your army of volunteers. Pour into them and really seek out their passions and what they’re good at. Originally, one of your volunteers might have just been a 3’s teacher but now, in this time of virtual church, that same person might be a key piece to your ministry. Leaders are arising that normally would have remained in the shadows of the back of the church. Have you found them yet? Have you looked and poured thru your church to reveal these leaders who are among you? Pull out the people that have been spectators – train and invest in them. Today is the day to build an army!

Looking for a new position? Stop by MinistryJobs.com and have a look at the jobs that are available! Ministry jobs are hard to come by and job hunting is no fun. We help ministry job seekers find their ideal role in their next ministry – for free! More than 6 million search for a job every day. Be found! Looking to list a job or an open position? We help churches and organizations get job openings in front of potential candidates. We have several plans and packages available. Today is the day!

3 Big Shifts in Post COVID-19 Ministry

Crisis changes you. The extent of the change may vary, but a crisis will leave its mark. 
 
A loved one’s death, a car accident, cancer, a miscarriage, losing a job, an epic public failure—all will change you, for better or worse. Crisis changes communities and nations as well. Wars, economic depressions terrorist attacks, and now the global COVID-19 pandemic all usher in a period of rapid change. 
 
COVID-19 is a significant crisis that is a disruption to your ministry. It is not a mere interruption. Your leadership in the next 12 months will go a long way in determining if your ministry dies, survives, or thrives. A crisis illuminates your strengths and weaknesses, and a wise leader would view it as an opportunity to assess where you are and plan for where you need to be.
 
Two things you need to know about crisis:
 

#1 Crisis is a Revealer

It always amazes me that two different people can respond to the same crisis in two very different ways. I’m from the American Midwest, where tornado warnings are not uncommon. When the sirens wail, some people come out of their homes and look to the sky in curiosity. Others retreat to their basement or storm shelter in fear. Same sirens, two different reactions. I’ve driven past the scene of more than one minor traffic accident where one party seems calm, cool, and collected. The other is red-faced and yelling at anyone who will listen. Same accident, two different reactions. 
 
How we react in a crisis often reveals our normal emotional state. You are likely able to hide or cope with strong emotions in everyday life, but they bubble to the surface for all to see during a crisis. You could probably write a theological treatise on what the crisis of Jesus’s arrest revealed about the disciples as they ran and hid!
 
A crisis reveals a lot about your ministry. It may show that you are a decade or more behind the times with digital technology. Your lag was always there, but this crisis amplified it. Maybe it reveals that your ministry was operating with no financial margin. The restrictions against gathering as a congregation in one place may demonstrate that personal connections and relationships were either a strength or weakness in your church. By its very nature, a significant crisis breaks down the facade. It exposes who you really are—and you may not like what you see.
 

#2 Crisis is an Accelerator

A crisis tends to serve as a reality amplifier. 
It reveals what reality is—and puts it on steroids. 
 
We all have that one person in our social media feeds that just can’t seem to control their thoughts and negative comments. I’ll call her Karen 🙂 Odds are that Karen has been louder than usual during the COVID-19 crisis! If you struggled with anxiety before COVID-19, it’s likely a larger struggle for you now. If a business owner had difficulties with paying their employees before, that struggle is much greater now. 
 
The same is true in ministry. The trends that were happening pre COVID-19 are still happening, but faster and more apparent than before. A crisis doesn’t create a trend—it accelerates it. COVID-19 didn’t create the momentum or lack of momentum that your ministry was experiencing the last few years. It has spotlighted what was already there. Because crisis is both a revealer and an accelerator, it will reveal and amplify the strengths and weaknesses of your ministry that were already present. 
 
In this context, here are three shifts that are occurring and will continue to happen in the immediate future of ministry. 
 
 
Here are 3 big ministry shift:
 

#1 From Analog to Digital

Undoubtedly, this shift has been forced on you in the last few months. This is one that you cannot fight if you want your ministry to operate in the future. This shift is here to stay. How you deal with this reality will say a lot about where your ministry is headed. 
Are you the newspaper publisher in 1999 who thought that people would come back to reading print publications after the digital fad ran its course? Or are you the newspaper publisher who saw their company as a content provider no matter the medium and invested in the digital realm? Research revealed that before the crisis, the average person viewed your online presence seven times before stepping foot on your campus. What will that statistic be after the crisis? 
 
Digital is much more than uploading a video of your Sunday worship service. It is now the primary means that you have at your disposal to communicate with those who are not yet part of your church. Your resources and staffing should reflect that fact.
 

#2 From Attendance to Engagement

One of the failed strategies of the Church Growth Movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s was the idea that churches should offer a lot of affinity-based programs. Sewing clubs. Fishing clubs. Book clubs. Clubs for people who liked clubs. The more programs, the better! Many ministries still operate out of this playbook. The more things we offer, the better. The more people are busy doing church activities, the better. 
 
The way to measure success in this model is attendance. More people than last year participating? Success! More butts in the seats on Sunday? Success! But as it turns out, busyness wasn’t the best ministry strategy. Participation doesn’t effectively produce disciples. So what does?
 
Engagement. It’s that simple. For the past decade, smart churches have been simplifying their ministry to increase their engagement. They’ve been eliminating excess programming that might confuse or diffuse their mission. They are clear about their discipleship process and are always encouraging people to take a next step. They’ve measure their ministry growth/success with one metric—the number of people who are taking steps to grow. How many worshippers have committed to serving twice a month? I wonder how many members are actively participating in a small group? How many first-time givers have committed?
 
The shift to engagement requires that you define steps for people to take to develop their relationship with Jesus and then track engagement in those steps. Is attendance part of engagement? Sure. Showing up counts. But it only counts if you are showing up for something that matters. Post COVID-19, people will have even less interest or tolerance for programs that don’t matter. People are busy and stressed. The current crisis will accelerate this reality.
 

#3 From Teacher to Equipper

Most churches operate their ministry from the “Come—Sit—Get” model. That is, attend church, sit passively, and get theological information. Learning a Biblical story or some kind of ecclesiastical truth is the goal of most Sunday messages. Many growing churches have been providing more practical applications for the last two decades, and the debate between preaching/teaching for head knowledge versus application is a salient one. The reality of our modern world has, I believe, settled this matter in favor of practical teaching.
 
This is what the last decade of ministry has taught us: People don’t need you or your church for head knowledge. They have Google and YouTube. We no longer live in an illiterate society where the pastor read the Bible and had to tell the people what it said. Modern technology has enabled us to carry a Bible around on our phone! 
 
Here is what people do need now more than ever: wisdom on how to apply the Gospel and Biblical teachings in their lives. People don’t struggle with a lack of information. We struggle with parenting our kids. Struggle with marriage and dating. We struggle with money, with anxiety, and from having more knowledge than we can process! To be frank, we struggle with churches that don’t seem to understand that this is what we struggle with!
 
Churches need to equip people with the resources, tools, and relationships they need to engage in practices that will grow their faith. This is a need that the COVID-19 crisis will amplify. As a result of this crisis, people will have more needs—relational, practical, and spiritual. Your church can help them meet those needs if you can recognize what the needs are and plan an effective response to them. Everyone needs Christian people in their lives to guide them. What better place to find Christian people than the church! 
 
If your ministry is based on the one-way communication of head knowledge, you will struggle to meet people where they are, and you’ll never be able to help them get where they want to be.
 
You may see these shifts already happening in your ministry. You may think that these shifts are not real and won’t happen in your ministry. As in all things, time and our collective experience will tell if these shifts become a reality or are merely passing trends. The church has been around for over 2000 years. It has survived and thrived in many circumstances, and today’s crisis is either a disruptor of the status quo or an opportunity for growth—you decide which it is going to be for your ministry. 
 
Based on our historical record, here are three truths I am certain of:
The mission of the church should never change.
Our ministry strategy should probably change with each new generation.
The way we do church has already been changed forever.
 
If you want a printable version of this article to share with your staff, click here.
 

Bryan Blackford works with ministry leaders to help their ministries grow. He walks with ministries through a planning process and resources ministry leaders, so they are equipped to lead well. Bryan serves as an Executive Director at a large church, so he gets ministry and the everyday struggles of ministry leaders. Check out his resources at blackfordsolutions.org

Looking for a new position? Stop by MinistryJobs.com and have a look at the jobs that are available! Ministry jobs are hard to come by and job hunting is no fun. We help ministry job seekers find their ideal role in their next ministry – for free! More than 6 million search for a job every day. Be found! Looking to list a job or an open position? We help churches and organizations get job openings in front of potential candidates. We have several plans and packages available. Today is the day!

Why the Grass Isn’t Greener at that Other Church

If you haven’t noticed, church staffing has become a competitive market in recent years. So much so that a quick Google search of “Church Staff Search Firms” will provide you with a list of companies whose entire purpose is to help staff local churches, and whom didn’t exist 20 years ago. By the way, some of these search firms are very good at their jobs.

It’s easier than ever for church staff members to change churches…and they are. Unfortunately, staff longevity is becoming a rare thing in churches. I frequently have conversations with churches that are looking to hire a new team member or a team member who is looking to make a move to a new church.

And while moving to a new church may be what God wants you to do, it’s important to remember that the grass isn’t always greener at that new church.

Your Expectations may not be Reasonable

Often times I hear sad stories from church staff members about how the church or their Pastor hasn’t met their expectations. Expectations that go unmet can create all kinds of hurt and disillusionment. However, your expectations may not be reasonable. It’s not your pastor’s job to disciple you, working at a church isn’t always rainbows and unicorns, and I know you got into ministry to be a part of life-change and people meeting Jesus but this is your job, you don’t get to get paid to do a hobby (and you shouldn’t get paid to have coffee with people all day long). So, temper your expectations (by the way, the secret to happiness in life is low expectations).

The Problem isn’t “out there”

Typically, when I hear church staff members talk about leaving their church the conversation focuses on a problem or series of problems at the church they’re currently serving in. The first bit of input I consistently find myself providing is this: “If God has given you the insight through His Spirt to see something in the church you serve at that needs to change, instead of criticizing it why don’t you try and help it be what you see God wants it to be?” Maybe the problem isn’t with the church, maybe the problem is you’re not being solution oriented and you’re focusing on what’s wrong instead of trying to help it get better.

Planting a New Church may not Fix it

When things get tough, many young leaders are opting to leave and plant a new church. And while I’m all for planting new churches to reach new people, too often these new churches are planted for all the wrong reasons by all the wrong people.

Sometimes you have to Create the kind of place you want to be

I firmly believe, that if at all possible (it isn’t always), the best option for you and the best option for your church is for you to stay and figure it out. You will grow through the process and the church will experience the benefit and fruit of you staying and figuring it out. Sometimes it’s worth staying and creating the kind of place you want to be.

Work at a church? Trying to figure out if it’s time for you to leave your church? Check out this post about “Why Church Staff Change Churches.”

Written by Paul Alexander – to find out more about Paul and read more of his writings, check out his blog!

Looking for a new position? Stop by MinistryJobs.com and have a look at the jobs that are available! Ministry jobs are hard to come by and job hunting is no fun. We help ministry job seekers find their ideal role in their next ministry – for free! More than 6 million search for a job every day. Be found! Looking to list a job or an open position? We help churches and organizations get job openings in front of potential candidates. We have several plans and packages available. Today is the day!

What’s the Word Wednesday

“Save your energy. Guard your time. You’re not supposed to be willing to die on every hill. Just the ones that God has called you to. Those are the ones we need to climb to the pinnacle so that you can plant the stake of truth in the ground. Be wise. Be prayerful. We need you.”

– Get to know Priscilla Shirer by heading to her site and finding out more about her ministry. 

In this day and age, it feels like everyone has a voice about something. Politics, COVID-19, racial injustice, the weather…the list goes on. By scrolling through social media, you can see that people have some pretty strong convictions on just about everything. It’s good to have convictions but when those convictions cause you to not think of others or for you to act unkind, maybe you need to take a step back. Some people get so worked up and I have to ask – is it worth it? Is it worth the damage that your words may cause? Is it worth losing a friend because of their political stance. Is it worth you not being right just this one time? Evaluate the things you’re saying on social media. Think about the words you’re saying to those around you. Be prayerful about the convictions that you have. Ask God to point out the times and situations that He needs you to be vocal and to stand up. Pray that God would help you speak when you need to speak and listen when you need to listen. Be kind and be respectful!

Looking for a new position? Stop by MinistryJobs.com and have a look at the jobs that are available! Ministry jobs are hard to come by and job hunting is no fun. We help ministry job seekers find their ideal role in their next ministry – for free! More than 6 million search for a job every day. Be found! Looking to list a job or an open position? We help churches and organizations get job openings in front of potential candidates. We have several plans and packages available. Today is the day!

Just Offer the Job Already: 5 Things You Should Do to Maximize the Waiting Period

5 Predictions About The Future Church As We Move Through COVID-19

Churches generally do not hire pastoral staff overnight. Before you send in your resume, the church has likely spent time praying and strategizing for their next pastoral staff member. After months of collecting resumes, you finally receive a call to be one of many who will conduct an initial phone/video conference interview. It is usually at this time where both parties get their feet wet and it allows you the opportunity to learn more about the ministry opportunity. Job offers are not typically offered at this stage in the process. 

As time progresses, you eventually may have a feeling that the church in question is interested in you. Some signs, conversations, and interactions may have you wondering why they have not just offered you the job already. As hard as it is to wait, this period of time is important to the church and it should be important to you. As a reminder, 400 years passed between the Old and New Testament. Praise God for His perfect timing and Praise God that the church takes seriously the hiring of those that they seek to lead their church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. While not exhaustive, you should do these five things so that you can maximize the waiting period.

1. BE IN CONSTANT PRAYER FOR GOD’S WILL

Prayer should be at the forefront of any decision you make. God’s will is best when we rest in His plan. Martin Luther on prayer said this, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Pastors and staff, how much more should we value prayer as the ones desiring to lead? Jesus prayed specifically for the will of the Father and so should we (Luke 22:42). 

2. BE SURE YOU CAN BUY INTO THE MISSION AND VISION

There are differing viewpoints on what defines a mission and vision. For the sake of argument, mission is being defined as the overarching goal of the church. Vision is how you plan to carry out the mission. As an outsider coming in, it is crucial that you buy into the mission and vision of the church. If you cannot get on board with the current mission and vision, you must ask yourself if you are the right candidate for the job. Yes, these things have potential to change. However, buying in before will launch you into the ministry with a heartbeat that is similar to the rest of the current church body. 

3. REQUEST CHURCH DOCUMENTS FOR REVIEW

You likely will have access to these via their church website. If for some reason they are not online, ask for them. This is assuming that you are far enough along to be asking for more information about the ministry. Check out social media, ask for newsletters, review the bulletins, and review anything and everything that will engrain church culture into you. 

4. KEEP A RUNNING LIST OF QUESTIONS

You likely will not remember these questions if you do not take the time to write them down. A good interview process will allow you to ask questions that you have about the church and the ministry. Every interview I have partaken of (whether ministry or secular) provided me an opportunity to ask questions. Having a repertoire of questions shows that you are prepared and that you care. No question should be off limits. You should be interviewing the church as they interview you. 

5. SELF-DEVELOPMENT

This area is often overlooked. Self-development should never be taken for granted. There is always an area of your life that needs work (whether personal or spiritual). Develop your communication skills. Work on your people skills with people at the grocery store. Read books in areas that you are weak. Take or audit a class that will benefit your future ministry. Self-development is never a bad investment in your life. 

You may be ready for the job offer, but trust and know that God has a plan during the waiting. Waiting patiently and maximizing the waiting will only benefit you and the church in the long run. Continue to develop yourself, seek God’s will, and prepare your heart, mind, and soul for what God has in store.

What else would you add to this list?


Written by Justin Beville. Justin has been married to Amanda Beville for over six years and has one son named Luke and twin boys on the way! He received his Bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies with a minor in Student Ministry from the College at Southeastern. Justin went on to complete his Advanced MDiv. at Southeastern. He currently serves as the Pastor of Students and Outreach at Kingsland Baptist Church. Like this article? Read more from Justin here!

Looking for a new position? Stop by MinistryJobs.com and have a look at the jobs that are available! Ministry jobs are hard to come by and job hunting is no fun. We help ministry job seekers find their ideal role in their next ministry – for free! More than 6 million search for a job every day. Be found! Looking to list a job or an open position? We help churches and organizations get job openings in front of potential candidates. We have several plans and packages available. Today is the day!

Three Thoughts About Your Next Hire

If you’ve been involved in ministry for very long, you know that people come and go. And not just church members, I’m talking about pastors and staff as well. In the church I serve, we’ve had five youth pastors in the past 10 years. Let me just tell you, that’s not ideal for the church or youth ministry. But that’s reality sometimes.

Sometimes you’re going to need to replace people, and sometimes, as your church grows, you’re going to need to hire for positions you’ve never had before. Hiring staff can be tricky. You make the right hire, and your church continues to get healthy and grow. If you make the wrong hire, your church can quickly be headed in the wrong direction. This is especially true when hiring a new senior pastor.

So, with that in mind, I want to share with you three thoughts about your next hire.

  • Clearly define the role and expectations beforehand.

Before you begin looking for someone to fill the position, make sure the role and expectations are clearly defined, written down, and agreed upon by all the decision makers.

Here’s why, in many churches, different people have different ideas about what they want. Someone may want a pastor who is a great teacher, while another would prefer a pastor who may be more relational. When every decision maker is not on the same page, it creates confusion and chaos, not just for the church but for the potential hire as well.

  • Do your research.

You know what the best indicator of future performance is? You guessed it, past performance. So, make sure to ask for references, and actually check them. I’m amazed at the number of churches that don’t check references.

Also, check their social media accounts. Do some Facebook stalking. What are they posting? What are they commenting on? What are they sharing? This will tell you a lot about a person.

Ask good questions. What’s been your greatest success? What’s been your greatest failure? How are you currently investing in yourself?

  • Check for spiritual health.

Don’t assume because someone is applying for a job at a church that they have everything together. There are plenty of people who are working in ministry who shouldn’t be. Some have huge character flaws, while others burned out a long time ago.

Ask them, what does your prayer life look like? Who was the last person you invited to church? What fruit of the spirit do you struggle with the most?

I believe if you will take these tips and use them, it will save you a lot of potential headaches. Hiring new people to work in the ministry should be one of the most rewarding things you get to do. Make sure you do it right.

What was the biggest hiring mistake you ever made? What did you learn from it? Take a moment, and share in the comments below. While you’re here, make sure to subscribe to the blog to get tips on church growth, leadership, and more delivered to your inbox each week.

Written by Travis Stephens – to find out more about Travis and read more of his writings, check out his blog!

Looking for a new position? Stop by MinistryJobs.com and have a look at the jobs that are available! Ministry jobs are hard to come by and job hunting is no fun. We help ministry job seekers find their ideal role in their next ministry – for free! More than 6 million search for a job every day. Be found! Looking to list a job or an open position? We help churches and organizations get job openings in front of potential candidates. We have several plans and packages available. Today is the day!

What’s the Word Wednesday

Power, approval, comfort, and control are meta-idols that hold sway over our daily lives

– Timothy Keller, Founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church and City to City. To find out more about Tim Keller, head to his site

Pull a part each of those words above. Power. Approval. Comfort. Control.  Each of us, or at least most of us, have struggled with these things throughout the duration of our lives. Power held through a position at work. Approval sought out by a family member that doesn’t see us. Comfort from not doing something that makes us a little uneasy. Control over our time and finances so we refuse to give. The truth is that God sees this. He knows this. He knows that we’re putting these things above Him. He knows that these thing hold weight in our lives and when the going gets tough, we turn to power, approval, comfort and control before we turn to Him. Get away, even for just a brief moment and reflect what you’re putting above Christ. Is it power? Maybe you are seeking out approval. Needing help getting out of your comfort zone? Does control have a tight grip? In Exodus it says that we shouldn’t have any gods before Christ. Nothing should take the place of Him in your daily walk. Figure out what you are replacing with God and get rid of it. He wants you to have peace and the only way to do that is to put Him first.

Looking for a new position? Stop by MinistryJobs.com and have a look at the jobs that are available! Ministry jobs are hard to come by and job hunting is no fun. We help ministry job seekers find their ideal role in their next ministry – for free! More than 6 million search for a job every day. Be found! Looking to list a job or an open position? We help churches and organizations get job openings in front of potential candidates. We have several plans and packages available. Today is the day!

5 Signs You May Be Growing Weary as a Leader and What To Do About It

Ministry is full of amazing moments where we get to participate in God’s kingdom work. As leaders, we experience many great things as we proclaim and live out the Gospel. Is it always easy? Nope. However, we have been called into a life of opportunity. 2020 has been an opportunity like no other to lead and minister to people in new and exciting ways.  

As I talk with other ministry leaders, hear some of the same themes and patterns. Many of us are tired and weary as this season continues. There is no book on leading ministry through a pandemic. We have never done this before. Added to the uncertainty of the pandemic is a growing list of political rhetoric, racial tension and growing division in our world.   

If you find yourself growing weary, lean in hard to the Lord and ask for energy and strength that only He can give. Here are five signs you may be growing weary as a leader and what to do about it.   

1. You are not sleeping well.  

One of the first psychological signs of stress is an impact on sleep. There is a reason many counselors and doctors often first ask, “How are you sleeping?” If you continue the routine of poor sleep, it affects everything. This is a huge sign of weariness.  

What to do about it? I don’t have to tell you to go to bed early, but I’m going to anyways. Get off the devices, count sheep, do what you need to do to get some sleep.  

2. You are starting to feel isolated. 

Offices are closed, teams are meeting virtually, and you miss peopleAlone is dangerous, and even if you have the best staff in the world, it is vital to do life and ministry togetherFeeling lonely not only affects you mentally and spiritually but medical experts say that it is harmful to your health. Isolation will drain you and leave you unmotivated and weary. When you are lonely, your mind will start to create storylines and scenarios leaving you with increased anxieties. You become skeptical or passive to everyday events. Remember: alone is dangerous.  

What to do about it? If you feel isolated, reach out to your staff and leadership to set up a lunch or some type of gathering.  Confide in someone you trust about the way you are feelingSometimes all you need to do is vocalize what’s going on inside. If you let loneliness fester, it will only get worse. Be proactive.  

3. Every negative email, text or phone call hits you hard personally.  

Chances are that your emails are full of people sharing love and support for you, your church and everything you are doing. That same inbox is probably full of people sharing conspiracy theories, frustration and blatant disregard for decency. If you are like me, you do not receive the love but take the negativity personally. A phrase that I got from Carey Nieuwhof’s book, Didn’t See It Coming, is that loud is not large.”  What this means to me is that often when I get those texts that cut deep, the volume I hear in those words may be loud, but they do not speak for the majority. This is a lesson I’ve had to learn even before the pandemic.  

What to do about it? When you get encouragement, embrace it and accept the fact that someone really does care about you and wants to encourage you. Do not blow that off. When you receive negativity, read it all and look for truth. Address the truth and throw out the rest. Never respond back via email or text. Always pick up the phone or ask for a meeting to address it. Lastly, bring in other staff or leaders to the conversation. You do not have to carry the load by yourself.  

4. You are struggling to do the small things. 

You get the major things done each week, but those little extra tasks have gone by the wayside. Those follow-up texts encouraging leaders. The thank you notes. Don’t forget about those small things that make you a great leader. When you are fatigued you can easily talk yourself out of doing those tasks. They matter and your people need them.  

What to do about it? Think back to before the pandemic. What were the small ministry details you did that you are no longer doing? These small things may not work in the current context, but you could probably think of a creative way to do them differently. Do them and do them well. 

5. Your family can see it.  

Someone recently asked my wife how I was doing. She has been a pastor’s wife for almost fourteen years and is good at protecting me. However, she told the truth in her own frustration with everything going on. The reality: she is weary, too. I have had to work extra hard not to neglect my wife and kids even though I recognize being tired. At the end of the day, all we have is those under our roof and nothing else matters. What are they going to remember about 2020?  

What to do about it? For some, you may need to ask for forgiveness. For others, you may need to reassess how you have been treating your family. Dig deep and evaluate how you have been at home throughout this. You may need to add or subtract some habits in the days ahead. Huddle up with your family this week and plan something special. May this pandemic draw you even closer together and not apart.  

Written by Bobby Cooley, a Discipleship Pastor in Katy, TX. Check out his DYM resources here! 

Looking for a new position? Stop by MinistryJobs.com and have a look at the jobs that are available! Ministry jobs are hard to come by and job hunting is no fun. We help ministry job seekers find their ideal role in their next ministry – for free! More than 6 million search for a job every day. Be found! Looking to list a job or an open position? We help churches and organizations get job openings in front of potential candidates. We have several plans and packages available. Today is the day!

How to Livestream your Worship Service

Ever think your pastor would come to you requesting a list of equipment to purchase for livestreaming that could cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars? Thanks to the pandemic, this is where a lot of us worship and tech leaders find themselves today. 99.9% of the time, we have been the ones pushing for a few extra dollars to spend on new equipment, but now we are being asked to essentially launch an online campus. So where do we start? In full disclosure, I am not extremely tech savvy but as a worship leader, I have learned my way around the booth enough to make me dangerous. This blog is for those who are just looking for a first step towards livestreaming and hopefully some additional resources that you might find helpful!

  1. Evaluate Other Churches

The number of churches that are actively livestreaming is only going to continue, and most likely, you have connections with other people who are currently doing it. Find 3-4 churches and watch the live stream of their weekend services. Some key factors to be looking for are the amount of camera angles, the quality of the picture, how (or if) they are displaying lyrics, consistency of the stream (does it drop out or lose connection), and the quality of the audio. If you are able to, reach out to the worship leader or tech director of those churches and ask if they can give you a general idea on how much their system costs. This could be a great way for you to approach your pastor with tangibles that can also help you understand what his or her priorities are. 

2. Finalize your Budget

Make sure you and your pastor are on the same page when it comes to finances. It’s easy to spend a ton of money in this area! Most likely, your initial wish list will be a bit overwhelming in cost, so be humble, flexible, and yet prepared and educated on the equipment and the standard of excellence you are trying to establish.

3. Set your Goals

What are you trying to accomplish? Is it launching an online campus or simply capturing and streaming what happens live on Sunday morning? Set the expectations for this ministry and figure out what it will take to pull this off on a CONSISTENT basis. Figure out how many positions you will need to fill on a weekly basis with volunteers, what skill sets you are looking for in new volunteers, and what your onboarding/training process will be. Recruiting the right people to run your cameras, produce, and oversee the livestream commentary is the most important piece in this process. You can have $100k worth of equipment but without the right people to run it, it will not accomplish what you are intending to do.

4. Spec out your Equipment

When going to spec out your specific equipment needs, I would recommend taking a look at what church tech resources have to offer like Churchfront with Jake Gosselin. I have had the privilege to work with Jake in the past and have been following his website, YouTube, and Facebook. He has several blogs and videos that can walk you through what specific equipment you will need to get started livestreaming your worship services on various different levels. 

5. Implement your Plan

This will most likely be the most difficult step since it will likely stretch over several weeks after you receive all of your equipment. If you are installing the equipment yourself, I’d recommend inviting 1-2 tech volunteers to help. If you are the worship leader, it is a bit difficult to lead worship and fix a broken livestream at the same time. Once you are up and running, create a private Facebook page to test your stream. This will allow you to test your stream throughout the week to make sure everything is working properly without broadcasting a video of your empty room and stage to the entire Facebook world. This process can take time so always keep the big picture in mind. Because of the time and effort you are putting into making this happen, more people will be able to hear the Gospel and worship alongside your church. 

6. Additional Resources

If you’ve already started to livestream your services but would like some additional feedback, you can contact us at Froot Group! We are primarily a worship staffing company that serves the local church and we have a Livestreaming Evaluation service that gives you specific feedback on every area of the livestream process from a new perspective. If you are interested in learning more about this service, contact us at info@frootgroup.com and download this Livestream Guide for complete details!

Written by Alex Purtell, Founder and Search Coach of Froot Group Staffing

 

Looking for a new position? Stop by MinistryJobs.com and have a look at the jobs that are available! Ministry jobs are hard to come by and job hunting is no fun. We help ministry job seekers find their ideal role in their next ministry – for free! More than 6 million search for a job every day. Be found! Looking to list a job or an open position? We help churches and organizations get job openings in front of potential candidates. We have several plans and packages available. Today is the day!

What’s the Word Wednesday

Use your ‘power’ to bless and serve, not manipulate and control.

– JD Greear, Lead Pastor at The Summit Church

How many times have you used your skills and abilities to help someone out? I’m sure, if you’re an average joe, probably more times than you can count. How many times have you used your giftings for bad  – to manipulate or to control a situation? I’m sure if we were all honest, we’ve probably done it more times than once. It’s not something that we’re proud of but because we’re good at something or someone has told us that we’ve excelled at something, we’ve used it for bad rather than for good. When you have a particular gift that God has given you, check your heart and ensure that you’re using what He’s given you is for His glory…not yours. Make sure that you’re using it to bless and serve others instead of shining a light on you to help you get further in a situation. 

Looking for a new position? Stop by MinistryJobs.com and have a look at the jobs that are available! Ministry jobs are hard to come by and job hunting is no fun. We help ministry job seekers find their ideal role in their next ministry – for free! More than 6 million search for a job every day. Be found! Looking to list a job or an open position? We help churches and organizations get job openings in front of potential candidates. We have several plans and packages available. Today is the day!