Church Technical Leaders: Jobs-to-be-done

~ Mike Schwiebert ~ 2 Comments

Recently, I had the privilege of contributing an article for the Church Technical Leaders website where I discussed jobs-to-be-done theory and how it relates to the local church tech team, “What Motivates Your Team?“.

“As technical directors, we usually think in terms of what the church hires the tech team to do: run audio for live events, make videos, maintain infrastructure, etc. Have you ever considered what your volunteers are hiring your team to do for them? In other words, what is motivating them to serve in technical arts? If technical arts was a product, why would they be your customers?” From my article.

Keep thinking! Continue reading.

Video Directing 101: Camera Placement

~ Mike Schwiebert ~ 9 Comments

VideoDirecting101

The goal of video directing is to tell a story (Actually, I think that may be the goal of all art). If you are going to be an effective story teller as a live service director, you must learn to position your cameras properly. Last time, I focused on storytelling to set a solid foundation. In this post we’ll get to the nitty gritty of camera placement.

I have strong opinions and preferences for what I am doing, but there is room for exploration and adaption to my ideas. The most important thing is that you capture the event and tell a compelling, effective story, even if you do it in a different way.

The focus of this post will be on directing a church service, but I believe the principles can be applied to any live event. There won’t be too much explanation here–just the facts, ma’am.

Keep thinking! Continue reading.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

~ Mike Schwiebert ~ 3 Comments

Thinking on the beach

Love these posts I’m reading over at the Church Technical Leaders website by Jacob Barbour @hdctechdirect, “Should I Even Be Here?” Pt. 1, Pt. 2, and Pt.3.

Jacob’s writing has been really good. I get energized when I see people wrestle with their calling, wrestle with their circumstances, and speak wisdom out of their disillusionment. It is a given to get disillusioned in church work. Those who say otherwise are living an unexamined life or lying. Both of which are destroyers of authentic ministry.

Let’s dig in. Jacob asks: “Should I even be here?” My answer:

Where’s here?

One of the greatest challenges I have faced in life is deciphering the riddle of the will of God. In the church tradition I grew up in, discovering God’s will for your life was the most important thing a young person could do. And although I do believe that God can call specific people to specific tasks, I question that God calls all people to specific vocations.

Keep thinking! Continue reading.

Video Directing 101: Telling a Story

~ Mike Schwiebert ~ 1 Comment

VideoDirecting101

The goal of video directing is to tell a story. We do that by capturing an event, not creating an event (although that idea has a place). Part of telling a good story is telling the whole story. Therefore, it stands to reason that if you are going to be an effective story teller, you must learn to position your cameras to properly capture the event.

It does not matter how fluid your pacing is or how effectively your team communicates, if you don’t have your cameras positioned properly you will miss key elements of the program and fail to communicate the whole story with your audience. This is very important and must be carefully considered. In this post we’ll look at the foundation–telling a story–in order to properly consider good camera placement.

The focus of this post will be on directing a church service, but I believe the principles can be applied to any live event.

Keep thinking! Continue reading.

A martian, a critic, and Jesus

~ Mike Schwiebert ~ 2 Comments

Marvin The Martian

No one likes to be criticized. Especially for their art.
So how do we respond to critics?
What can we learn from Jesus and how He responded to His critics?

As you read through the New Testament you can see this coming from a mile away. Eventually, Jesus and the Jewish leaders are going to have it out. Often, they confront Jesus with a critical question hoping to trap Him.

Jesus’ response to their subterfuge is instructive. He answers them. Wow. Before you think about how he responded, just consider that simple fact. Today, our politicians have made not answering critics an art form. They actually take classes and study film to perfect their non-answers. I think this plague is infecting leaders all across our society.

The creator of the universe who doesn’t have to answer to anyone for anything, answers these snivelingly, wimpy, contentious, backbiting (hold on… I’ll tell you how I really feel in a moment), self-seeking, scheming, pompous, sententious hypocrites.

I’m not usually gracious to my critics. My initial response is too often anger. I think things like, “Who do they think they are, I’ve forgotten more than they’ll ever know!” Or the always lovely, “I don’t have to answer to you!”
Oops.
We dismiss others when we believe they are insignificant.

Jesus wasn’t passive, but He was magnanimous towards critics.

What if we applied that principle in our roles as spouse, parent, friend, leader and coworker?