Worshipfilms Blog

Accountability on Volunteer Teams

Jesse Lewis — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:31:00 -0400

Anyone who has led volunteer teams in a church environment has been there at some point: At a critical moment, one of your volunteers doesn't show up - no phone call, no explanation, not even an apology. You are left scrambling, and either take the person's place yourself, or grab someone else who was supposed to have this week "off" to fill in for them. Quality suffers and everyone is frustrated. Often, the person who failed to keep the commitment is never even confronted.

We can argue that this type of situation happens in all volunteer situations, but within the Church, the standard should be higher. Should we not be able to count on others in the body of Christ? Of course we should.

The problem with holding volunteers accountable is just that: they are volunteers, not paid staff. So, many times leaders feel that they cannot force someone to fulfill a commitment for which they are not being monetarily compensated. Here are a few thoughts:

This is fundamentally a spiritual issue. As a team leader, part of your responsibility is to disciple the members of your team - and that includes teaching them the importance of fulfilling commitments. By failing to address a glaring weakness in this area, you are allowing that person to continue to do spiritual damage to him/herself. Confrontation is a necessary part of expressing love.
The commitment we have made is ultimately a commitment before and/or to God - not just to our team leader or the other members of our team or the church.
We need to understand that by keeping or failing to keep commitments, we are building a reputation. Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is more desirable than great riches..." (NIV). This is true also in our relationship with God. How we steward our current opportunities determines our future opportunities (see Matthew 25:14-30).
The irresponsible team member needs to fully grasp all the ramifications of their failure to keep a commitment. This communication needs to be done in love, but also needs to be stated clearly. My experience has been that most of the time, the people that have failed to keep their commitments have no idea of the impact that decision has had.
If a person fails to keep commitments at church, he will fail to keep them outside of church as well - and this brings the reputation of Christ into question. We cannot afford to let situations that involve chronic irresponsibility go unaddressed.

None of us are perfect in this area - but we can do better, and we must hold each other accountable. It is of critical importance to the health and reputation of the body of Christ.

Thoughts on Using IMAG

Jesse Lewis — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:49:00 -0500

The use of IMAG (short for image magnification) has grown exponentially in churches across the US over the last several years. The decision of whether or not to implement this concept should be weighed carefully.

By IMAG, we mean that one or more cameras are focused on a person or group of people (e.g., a pastor or worship leader), and the image from that camera is projected onto large screens in the sanctuary so that the congregation has a better view of that person or group. It can be a great help to a church when used correctly.

But here are some random thoughts:

Make sure it fits the size and style of your church. If the size of your church is not sufficient to necessitate its use, don't do it. Also, anything that is projected should fit into the overall flow and style of the service. So, for instance, if your church strives to create a 'big living room', homey-type feel, IMAG may not be the approach for you.
Do not use the same video feed as you use for your television ministry. When selecting shots for television, you generally will incorporate wide shots, and well as shots of the congregation. These shots are not appropriate for IMAG (wide shots, because they would serve no purpose, and congregational shots, because they would be incredibly distracting.) Side note: NEVER turn a camera on the congregation during an invitation time - this can have a huge, unintended negative effect.
Only attempt IMAG if you are able to do a good job with it. Do you have a competent director who can call the camera shots? Do you have the cameras, tripods, lighting instruments, switcher, headsets, cabling, etc. that you need? Take a good inventory before you get started to determine what pieces you might be missing.

For Pastors: What Your Tech Teams Wish You Knew

Jesse Lewis — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:48:00 -0500

We have the privilege of traveling to different conferences every month and meeting a lot of great people involved in technical ministries. As we do, we often hear stories that start like this: “The thing is, I really wish my pastor understood…” So what follows here is a sort of open letter to you, pastors, listing the things most often heard. Please know that this is shared from a heart that honors and respects your leadership, position and sacrifice, and believes wholeheartedly in serving under spiritual authority in the local church (which I gladly do!)

Your tech guys want to support your vision. Many times, they have creative ideas that could really reinforce the message God has given you. The thing is, though, most of them are not going to volunteer them unless you ask them.

If your techies keep asking you to stick to a timetable for turning in sermon notes or getting sound checks or choosing videos, it’s only because they want to do the best job that they can. Some processes need to be done in sequence and require a certain amount of time to be done well. When a task does not get done on time (and worse, when it is re-inserted later in the process), the chance of error increases dramatically, which is not fair to the people that show up early to see that everything will be working as it should.

Generally the more lead time your technical staff has from you, the better job they can do for you. Special requirements, whether it’s mic placement or set design or videos, equate to extra time, and a high percentage of techies are perfectionists who get really frustrated when they don’t have the opportunity to do their best. So try to give them the time they need to do a great job.

When you ask someone to create a video, please be cognizant of the amount of time that is required to produce it. A simple 3-minute testimony video can easily take 20 hours to produce. Short projects with actors and costumes can take weeks.

Your tech guys need you or someone on your staff to block for them before the service. People are continually coming up to the sound booth or control room area asking for last-minute items to be projected or music to be played – all at a time when the technicians need to be able to really focus. It would help greatly if you would enforce a policy that says, in effect, last-minute requests cannot be honored, so please plan ahead. As much as your technicians want to serve, these last-minute requests put undo stress on them, and often result in sub-par execution.

Technicians need your positive feedback and encouragement. Generally, we fail to notice the service of the folks in these positions until something goes very wrong – and then they hear from too many people. Expressions of appreciation and recognition of excellence are two critical needs that your technical staff has.

Working as one team, from one playbook, is so key to having an awesome worship experience full of the presence of God. May God bless your church with a great partnership between your technical staff and your pastoral team and worship teams!

Videotaping Testimonies

Jesse Lewis — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:47:00 -0500

Video can be an effective way to deliver a testimony during a worship service, for several reasons: 1) the testimony can be edited to the desired length (we've all experienced in-person testimonies that have gone on way too long); 2) for most people, a well-made video has the ability to capture and hold their attention; 3) through the editing process, you have the ability to add in other images (pictures, videos, etc.) that compliment and visually reinforce the story that is being told; and 4) it gives you a recorded version of the story.

Here are a few tips for making great video testimony presentations:

Create depth. Try to tape your subject in a room where there is at least 10 feet between your subject and your backdrop (wall, bookcase, etc.). Adjust your camera so that the subject is in focus and the backdrop is out of focus.
The subject should not look directly at the camera, but slightly to one side. This creates the illusion for the audience that they are listening in on a conversation between two people.
Use proper lighting. One side of the subject's face should be better lit than the other. Avoid using harsh, glaring light, and remember: backlighting your subject is key in creating depth for your image.
Keep the final production to 4 minutes or less. Use only the material from your taping that is critical to telling the story.
Watch the volume level when using background music. Many inexperienced video editors tend to set background music at a level that interferes with the ability to hear the subject clearly.

Invest some time into experimenting with videotaped testimonies - you might just be surprised at how much it can add to your worship service.

Video File Formats Explained, Part I

Jesse Lewis — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:46:00 -0500

Today’s digitized videos come in an array of file formats. Let’s take a look at three of the most popular, and briefly discuss their differences.

.AVI files. AVI stands for audio/video interleaved. This file format is the most popular computer video format, and it is defined by Microsoft. The file sizes tend to be large compared to some of the other formats. These files will play in most of the popular media players. Generally, they are used to edit video or when a high resolution version of the video is needed.

.MPG, .M1V, .M2V files. MPG (or MPEG) stands for Moving Picture Experts Group. This file type utilizes standards that have been, and are being, developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group. They are a common file type and are generally much smaller in size than .AVI files.

.MPG most commonly denotes a file with MPEG-1 compression. The most common resolution for this file type is 352x240, but other resolutions may be used (the MPEG-1 files produced by WorshipFilms are 640x480). .M1V usually denotes a video with MPEG-1 compression that does not contain any audio. MPEG-1 files will play in almost any media player. They are generally used when limiting the file size is the main objective.

One confusing element is that .MPG can also denote a file that utilizes MPEG-2 compression. These files are generally higher in resolution (most commonly 720x480), and are often used in the creation of DVDs. .M2V generally denotes a video with MPEG-2 compression that does not contain any audio. The file size of MPEG-2 files is generally larger than MPEG-1 files. MPEG-2 files will only play in media players that have a MPEG-2 video codec installed.

.MOV, .QT files. These files extensions denote a Quicktime media file. Apple Computer developed this file type for the creation and viewing of multimedia content. Generally, most media players will play a Quicktime file that is version 2.0 or earlier, but later versions require player software that is proprietary to Apple. File sizes are generally comparable or slightly larger when compared to MPEG-1 files (depending on compression settings).

In our next article, we will conclude our discussion of file formats by examining .WMA, .RM, .ASF and .MP4 files.

Video File Formats Explained, Part II

Jesse Lewis — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:46:00 -0500

In our last article, we began to examine the most popular file formats for digital video. Now, let’s take a look at four more and briefly discuss their attributes.

.WMV files. WMV stands for Windows Media Video, and refers to a video codec set developed by Microsoft. In earlier versions, Microsoft utilized a form of MPEG-4 technology in developing this codec, but later versions has relied more on Microsoft’s own technology. It is a widely used file format on the internet because of its relatively small file size, and is now used in other media players beyond Windows Media Player (referring to version 9).

.ASF files. ASF is short for Advanced Streaming Format. It is a very compressed format that contains streaming audio, video, slide shows, and synchronized events. It provides a continuous stream of data, so that even lengthy videos begin playing almost immediately. It is not necessary for the entire file to download first. This is a popular internet file format, especially for online seminars or other lengthy subjects.

.RM files (also .RA or .RAM). A .RM file is a Real Media file, which (of course) is played in Real Media Player. These files are generally intended to be used as streaming files, and cannot be played in other media players.

.MP4 files (or .M4V). MP4, or MPEG-4 is a format developed by the Motion Picture Experts Group that allows you to combine multiple media streams into one file. Initially, the MPEG-4 format looked a lot like the Apple Quicktime format, but has since been significantly changed and improved upon. It is an end-user format that is used most often for streaming applications and mobile devices (PDA’s, cell phones, etc.). The great appeal of this format is its general quality level in relation to its small file size.

Hopefully, these two articles will serve as a basic reference for you on video file formats, and help you to more quickly identify file types in the future.

Making Your In-House Production Better

Jesse Lewis — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:45:00 -0500

Many churches today are experimenting with creating their own in-house video projects. Whether it’s a man-on-the-street documentary, an interview segment, or a taped drama, these churches are finding that video can be an effective communication tool in the worship service. Here are a few tips for making those in-house productions even better:

Always have a detailed plan. This means not only a script, but a detailed shot list, if possible. Try to have a clear idea of what you want the finished product to look like before you get started.

Cut it down. Longer is never better on Sunday mornings, and the mistake that most people new to video editing make is to make the final presentation too long. Just because you have a lot of footage does not mean you should use it. Try to shoot for a total length of less than 4 minutes when the video is meant to be used in a worship service.

When shooting outdoors, avoid the middle of the day. Direct sunlight tends to wash out colors on digital cameras. Try to shoot your outdoor video before 10:30 or after 3:00pm.

Try to create depth in your image. If you have someone speaking or being interviewed on camera, light the subject and the backdrop separately, and try to have at least 10ft between the subject and the backdrop.

Keep your camera position at eye level or below relative to the subject that is being taped.

If possible, use more than one camera, and shoot the subject from a variety of angles and distances.

Choosing Worship Software

Jesse Lewis — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:43:00 -0500

Many churches around the country are recognizing the limitations of Microsoft Powerpoint® in a worship setting, and are seeking other solutions. There are a number of good church presentation software packages available, and it is a significant decision because your choice will impact your worship service in a tangible way for years to come. Here are some key factors to consider before you make your final purchase:

Flexibility. The ability to make changes to a service schedule quickly is critical, particularly in a contemporary worship environment. Can you access songs and scriptures 'on the fly'? Can you make an edit while an image is being projected, so that you can correct typos, etc.? Can you change backgrounds in the middle of a song?
Background Options. It is essential to have a variety of options available for background images. Does the software allow for text over video? Does it accept Flash files? Does it allow for a live camera feed as a source on which you can overlay text?
Control Screen Interface. Most presentation software packages (including Powerpoint® now) can utilize a dual monitor approach, meaning that your computer screen acts as one monitor and shows the control interface, while the projector acts as the second monitor and shows only the image you wish to project. How easy is it to navigate the software's control screen (and to teach others to do so)? Is the interface intuitive, or are some elements difficult to locate? How quickly can you make changes?
Access to Scriptures. Many pastors want to be able to read from multiple translations of the Bible, and want the key verses projected. How does the software access scriptures? How many different translations of the Bible are included in the purchase price? Are additional versions available? What about foreign language versions (if you have that need)?
Text Editor. Most churches that utilize presentation software project sermon notes during the service. Does the software have a built-in text editor? Does it import Powerpoint® files easily? What kind of background options do you have when projecting text? What kind of text animations or transitions are available? Can you print the notes that you type?
Accepted File Formats. In today's media environment, versatility rules. What video and audio file formats does the software accept? Can you play audio files that do not contain video? Will the software accept a video file with audio as a background on which you can overlay text?
Hardware Requirements. Hardware requirements vary greatly from package to package. It should be noted that the minimum hardware requirements listed on the software package may be lower than what is actually required if you are wanting to use videos or video backgrounds within the software.
Support and Upgrades. Technology is changing at a rapid pace, and it is important to get connected to a software company that is committed to ongoing improvements and enhancements. It is also important to have a good reference manual and readily-accessible online or phone support. What are current users saying about the support they receive?

Most of the more popular software packages have free trial versions that you can download and use on a temporary basis. Experimenting with them is a worthy investment of time and should go a long way in helping you determine which one is most suitable for your church.

Perservering in Media Ministry

Jesse Lewis — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:43:00 -0500

Multimedia ministry is not always easy. There are those that think you need to do more, those that think you need to do less, those that don't understand the time it takes to produce a project with excellence, and those that recognize your labor only when you make a mistake. You spend hours trying to convince board members that the equipment you need to do your job is worth the investment. Sometimes, you are left wondering, 'Is this really what God wants me doing with my time? Is it really worth it? Am I really in His will?'

I want to encourage you that it is worth it. And at this time of year when many of us are overwhelmed with Christmas productions, perhaps we can take some encouragement from the Christmas story itself. The scripture reads, 'She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.' (NIV) Picture this: Mary gives birth to the Savior of the world, playing a crucial role in the redemption of all mankind. Yet, 'there was no room for them in the inn.' She (most likely) gave birth in a smelly, dimly-lit stable (you don't necessarily find the warm glow around the manger in scripture that we always see pictured). You can imagine the cold, uncomfortable floor, and the confusion of the animals adding to the distress of the situation.

There can be no doubt in anyone's mind that Mary was in the center of God's will for her life, perhaps more so than anyone else in history. Still, it was hard, it was inconvenient, and it required humility.

So be encouraged. You may encounter difficulties and struggles in your ministry that you will have to overcome. But that does not necessarily mean that you are outside of the will of God. Keep doing what God has called you to do - with all your heart. Your labor and perseverance will bear fruit, for you personally and for the kingdom!

How Do We Measure Success?

Jesse Lewis — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:42:00 -0500

In most 'multimedia' churches, a great deal of time and effort goes into creating the visual presentations that the congregation sees on Sunday. The question is: how do we know when all that effort has been worth it? Is success based on receiving comments such as 'I love that video you showed today' or 'those were cool graphics' or 'that background went well with that song'?

The short answer is 'NO!' Success is achieved when what we do has helped the church reach one or more of its corporate goals. These are goals such as leading people into true worship of Father God, imparting spiritual (Biblical) truth in a way that it is received at the heart level, and seeing people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

There are two components that factor into our success: the positive elements we add to the service (meaning what we put on the screen) and the negative distractions that we are able to minimize. Obviously, defining success this way has implications for what we choose to put on the screen. We focus not on what necessarily looks the best, but rather what is the most effective; not on what has the highest 'phat' factor, but what images help to move the congregation into a deeper worship and understanding of God. This is not to say that we should not be concerned with the quality of what we are presenting (poor quality distracts), but rather that our concentration is on reaching our goals that gain ground for the kingdom of God.

We also want to minimize distractions that would take away from a person's focused worship or detract from what God was wanting to communicate through His Word. Distractions can take the form of unnecessary time delays, jarring appearances or disappearances of projected images, text that is hard to read, and motion of graphics that is beyond what is appropriate or helpful. Many of these can be avoided by taking the time to rehearse the presentation prior to the service and make any necessary adjustments.

We are part of a body that has a defined mission, and the bottom line is that we keep a kingdom focus, not a self-centered ('can't I do cool stuff') focus. Comments like:

'When that sunset came up behind the lyrics, I thought my heart was going to explode with worship'

and

'The guy in that video - that was my story, and I knew God was speaking to me that it was time'

are the kind that mean we are having true success. Be encouraged to pursue effectiveness in this important ministry to which God has called you.