People that serve in media tend to be more introverted. Those on the music side usually are a mix of both intro and extroverted personalities It makes sense for media folk. They work behind the scenes. They’re in the back of the room, usually going unnoticed by the congregation (unless there’s feed back). You would think that musicians are all extroverted. After all, they are on a stage in front of everybody. But it surprises me how many musicians have a hard time connecting with people they’ve never met, or even speaking from stage. It doesn’t always come naturally for many of them.

In the past I have assumed that introverts strictly desire to be by themselves, which is kind of true. I have more recently however, come to understand that introverts want, and need to, spend time in community as well. And even extroverts can surprise you with how few people they actually spend time with. The point is we can’t make the assumption that introverts don’t want our time and extroverts don’t need it.

The greatest gift we have to offer as leaders is our time.

Our teams need time with us. Time spent one on one joking, encouraging, and leading them spiritually. They also need time spent in a group becoming friends, learning about each other, understanding each other. This cannot be overstressed. With the teams that I have had the pleasure of leading this has been vital to their (and my) development as believers as well as their passion for being a part of something that requires team effort. I have made an intentional effort to give my team as much of my time as I can, and I still don’t think I give as much as I should. To get real practical, here are the times that I spend with my teams:

-Before the morning rehearsal setting up and after service tearing everything down
-Being a portable church, I ask a portion of the team to get there early to help set up and also get the band to help with tear down. The after service portion is really special. Having the band to be a part of technical things helps them understand all that goes into a morning and also shows the media people that the band is willing to get their hands dirty.
-Pre-service prayer
-We gather than band and media teams together in the morning and I lead a short teaching time where I share either something that God is showing me or something that our church is doing that I think they should take special note of. I ask also for prayer requests and praise reports on what God is doing in their lives which gives the team a chance to hear a piece of each others hearts. Then we either pray as a group,lead by me or I’ll ask one of them to pray for everyone, or we break into groups of three or four and pray.
-Going out to lunch after service
-This is just a casual time where we all hang out after church. I don’t pay for their meals or anything, but we all really enjoy it and everybody gets excited when we do it. I usually try to schedule this once a month.
-Random lunch or coffee dates through the week
-These can be for a variety of reasons:
-Sometimes it’s just good to have some one on one time or me and a couple volunteers to get to know each other better.
-I try to make an effort to do this with newer volunteers especially so I can get to know where they’re at and what they’re passionate about.
-This can also be a great time to speak some vision or course correction into someones life. I like doing this kind of stuff in person because I feel like it gives the opportunity for some dialogue around it and removes the possibility of being misunderstood.

It’s always important to show your team that you’re accessible. I’ve seen great unity form, accountability, development, and spiritual growth all form from simply giving time. I think you’ll be amazed at the impact that your time can have on your team as a whole and as individuals.

Last Saturday I was “tasked” with mixing a very small band and a few vocals at a winter camp. I had to drive an hour and a half to get there by 8:30 in the morning. I mixed three times throughout the day with very long breaks in between (without Wi-Fi or cell service). This winter camp had an average band and a very old, very cheap PA. So as you can tell it was nothing to look forward to. The whole process felt like a chore to me, I felt obligated to help out, and I didn’t want to. However, I did my job, got paid, spent half of it on gas, and then struggled to stay awake on the drive home.

The next day was Sunday so I had to be at church at 7am. Needless to say I was pretty tired. However, the whole day I was able to look forward to running sound for a prayer event that evening. It was going to be an awesome band with awesome vocalists and I would be using a half-million dollar PA. I was excited; I would have paid to work this event. I came back to church, enjoyed it the whole time, then left. I made more per hour than the day prior and the work was far more enjoyable.

But what’s the point- that nice equipment is better, cooler, more fun to use…? No. The point is the equipment doesn’t matter.

The thing I didn’t mention is that more than 50 high school students dedicated their lives to Christ on Saturday at the winter camp. Talk about exciting! I’d take that over using any PA in the world. Today it doesn’t matter how much any piece of equipment I used cost. Mixing on Sunday was certainly more fun, but mixing on Saturday was more rewarding. For me it was a bit of a reality check.

There is certainly something to be said about quality and functionality of equipment (that’s another topic), but God does not need a $500,000 PA to work. He doesn’t need one at all. He doesn’t need to be running the newest software, and he doesn’t NEED me. It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of the winter camp, even though it didn’t seem like it at the time. God doesn’t need us. He chooses to use us. We better not give him a reason to change that. Not only do we need to serve, we need to have the attitude of a servant. It is important to keep that in mind, and make sure our attitudes reflect that. If God calls you to serve somewhere, don’t dread it like I did, but look forward to what He will do. God is not going to waste your time, but a poor attitude will.

First things first, where is the audio coming from?  You need to decide what mix you are providing the stream. Will you be just taking your Front of House mix? Do you have a monitor desk that provides extra mixes? Or do you have a multitrack recording system? Or will you use a separate mixer all together for streaming?  We will talk about a few of the options and their pros and cons and then secondly, trying to understand what the overall goal of your stream should be.

First, let me break down each option for you.

Taking the mix straight from FOH- This option is probably the easiest and most likely for any church no matter the size to accomplish. While this is a great way to get started quickly, you may want to consider a few things before you do so. Your FOH mix is tailored to the room that you are in, meaning that even though it sounds great coming out of your speakers in the room that same mix may be light on bass or a bit honky if you listen to it somewhere else. Or the music is super loud and you can barely hear the Pastor speaking on the stream.

If using FOH is your chosen option but things don’t quite translate. Try using one of your post fade Aux sends to control your stream mix. This way you can make separate adjustments to the stream mix verses the PA but it will still follow fader adjustments for transitions and such so you don’t have to fully operate two mixes. I would also recommend using a compressor to control the overall level of that mix so you don’t have people constantly changing the volume.

Taking a Mix from Monitors- Similar to FOH make sure you compress the mix a bit to keep things consistent. With a monitor rig you may have a bit more flexibility in what you provide the stream and have a more customized mix available. However, it may be difficult for your operator to focus on those on stage relying on him/her and a separate mix for the stream. Often times you may have a few too many things happening at once during transitions and change overs to keep a smooth uninhibited mix going on the stream end.

Taking the mix from the Recording System- Maybe your church has a multitrack recording system separate from FOH or Monitors? If it’s a DAW or even a separate mixer you are taking direct outs from you might want to consider having this system and operator run your stream mix as well. Typically if you are at this level of Tech you may already be thinking along these lines but streaming may be something new for you. If your not recording a set of audience response mics, do so. This is a great option because you are typically already isolated and able to mix specifically for an outside audience. I know a few places that have a recording system they also use to mix stems for FOH so making sure you have an operator that can do double duty is important. Also make sure your DAW rig is up to the task, trying to use a computer to both record and live mix can lead to crashes which is detrimental to the entire purpose of streaming your services.

Dedicated stream/broadcast console- This is the ultimate option and if available it provides the most in-depth and comprehensive mixes tailored for your online and offsite audiences.  You can really make sure you are providing the highest quality and most engaging audio possible. The downside to this is it requires another operator and it may be a bit more than you need to start. I’m a big fan of making sure you are maximizing the use of the equipment you have before running out and buying something bigger and better. So while this option may be the best quality, your audience might be too small to warrant such an investment. If you are just getting started with streaming and you are a small to mid size church, it’s ok to start off with one of the other options and expand your capabilities as your online and offsite campuses grow.

Second, understanding the goal of your stream.

Depending on what you are actually streaming, your goals may be different. But streaming both to an offsite campus and to individuals online can be a great way to engage people who either may not be able to attend that week, or on a regular basis, or maybe they are deployed overseas or just moved and haven’t connected to a local body yet. Whatever the circumstance, even an accidental stumble upon your stream, this is a great way to expand the reach of the gospel. However, with it comes a great responsibility. In this media/tech saturated world there are a ton of voices vying for peoples attention and people have come to expect a finished broadcast quality experience. But even if your audience is “used to” a lower quality unfinished stream, that doesn’t mean we should leave them frustrated and looking to turn it off or suffer through it to try and learn something or just watch something else.

Here’s where your audio mix comes into play, if you are constantly changing levels or missing cues or other problems or mistakes then you aren’t giving your people an opportunity to really engage.  A high quality engaging mix is key to getting and keeping people interested, even if they are listening on a mobile device they know what the music sounds like coming from those speakers or headphones. One of my goals is to recreate the environment so people can really experience what it’s like to be in the building right with the congregation. That means house mics! I’m not talking ridiculous here but you should have them at a good level throughout. Think about watching a sitcom or other type of live audience show on TV, the response people hear from other people, be it laughing at Pastor’s joke or singing along with a worship tune, is contagious. This helps the engagement level skyrocket. To start, you need to make sure that your music mix is as close to a finished product as possible, being realistic about the fact that it is happening live and then blend your house mics in just enough so you can hear the room and open up your mix. I like to throw a high pass on, a little compression and then just brighten it a touch so that it doesn’t muddy the mix but helps the sound of the people stick out. Think about a live worship album, they are designed to bring you into the space they were recorded. If you have a multisite campus that feels a bit sterile especially during the message, add audience response mics into your mix and you will see and hear the difference!!

Basically remember this, the goal of your audio mix should be to have a finished sound as possible that helps people forget they aren’t there in the environment and gives them opportunity to engage in the music and message in a way that is pure and authentic. It’s a tall order but it can be done. So whether it means adjusting where the mix is coming from or how it’s created or adding house mics or throwing in a compressor to help maintain levels. Keep looking for ways to immerse people into the environment and give them a quality product that they can engage with.

The most cost effective way to do basic front lighting is with the timeless Par can. It gives you a bright diffuse oval shaped pool of light which can be rotated by spinning the entire lamp inside the fixture which offers some control and is easily blended with other pars for a nice even wash. There are 4  lamp choices Wide Flood (WFL), Medium Flood (MFL), Narrow Spot (NSP), and Very Narrow Spot (VNSP).

A black par can. The rotation of the bulb in the fixture changes the pattern. A WFL, MFL, and VNSP Par 64 Bulb.

A Source 4 with a 19 degree lens next to a ten degree lens.

These all like their names give you choices on what size pool of light you need to cover an area depending on how far the lights are from the area. However if you have a let’s say a projection screen on stage or very near to an area that needs to be lit then a par can may not be the best choice as it will probably have to spill onto the projection surface in order to still properly light the subject. So that is where a light with a more defined edge and with framing shutters will be a big help. That is what is known by a few names: Ellipsoidal, Reflector Spot, or Leko. They are also known by their brand name like Source 4, Altman 360Q and many more. There are a bunch of different lens options, denoted in degrees. (ie. 10°, 19°, 36°, etc.) These lenses allow you to get the right sized pool of light depending on how far away the light is from the subject. You can refer to this table taken from ETC’s website to get an idea of what you may need. I normally use and suggest the ETC Source 4. Not only is it the industry standard; it is a high quality, readily available light.

This is an example of the type of control a Source 4 can give you.

It gives you the ability to change from a diffuse soft edge to a crisp edge to minimize unwanted spill. It also has 4 framing shutters that square off an edge and allow very precise control to make whatever shape is needed and keep light off unwanted areas like a screen. With careful setup a very even wash can also be achieved with multiple Source 4s as well as being able to individually light a person or set piece or wall or anything and create separation. If there is room in your budget, several source4s will be the most versatile front light option. It is very common to have a mix of both fixtures. For example, if you are not worried about lights spilling over the area your pastor preaches from, par cans may be your best option. They are natural wash lights and have a forgiving edge that makes it subtler when people inevitably start to wonder out of the lit area. While a par can wash works for the speaking portion it may not be able to provide the look desired for the music portion. That’s where Source 4’s can help you create a more intimate look, allowing you to highlight just the musicians.

On the left Source 4s are used to hi light the musicians, There is no undesired light on the screen. On the right, several par cans are used to create a stage wash. This is okay but washes out the screen, and illuminates more of the stage.

Now that we understand the main options, it is time to consider other aspects. Two questions that need to be answered are: How much power is available, and what brightness is required to achieve the desired effect. As far as lamp intensity, there are a few factors that go into choosing a bulb wattage. In many cases 500W bulbs are sufficient; if you are competing with the sun, have a longer throw distance, much bigger venue, or very bright lighting on the stage you may want to consider 1000w bulbs. One thing to be aware of is power limitations. To give a little perspective you can use 3 500w fixtures on one 15amp circuit. (110v * 15a = 1650w available). If pars draw too much power, there is another option that will cut the power requirements without sacrificing brightness. It is a Source 4 par. Essentially; it is a redesigned, modernized par that has light qualities similar to a par can. It has interchangeable lenses along with being smaller and more rugged than its traditional counterpart. It is also convenient if you are also using Source 4’s because they both use the same bulb. It’s designed with improved optics that allows a 575w bulb to have equal light output to a 1000w standard par-can. This is great when you have a limited amount of power. Since they use less power, they also give off less heat.

A Source 4 par, a 575w bulb, a MFL lens, and a VNSP lens.

As far as Source 4’s go there are 3 different bulbs available 375w, 575w, and 750w. All of these work in both source4s and Source 4 pars. This is convenient if you have both types of fixtures. It means you only have to stock one type of bulb etc.  Not to mention, they are also about half the price of regular par can bulbs. Since there are so many factors that go into determining what works best, I strongly suggest demoing gear before making a purchase. It will help you determine your actual equipment needs and prevent any undesired surprises.

A standard par 64, Source 4 par, and Source 4.

Now to address the inevitable question these days: “Isn’t LED lighting the answer to all my lighting needs?” In my opinion that’s not quite accurate yet. Most low quality and even more expensive LED fixtures do not yet offer the smooth pleasing pool of white light like the par can and Source 4. LEDs are often a blotchy circle with ghosted edges that are quite unflattering for front lights. There are a few LED options available that are starting to offer very similar traits to pars and Source 4s. The Source 4 LED line is one of them but they come with a hefty price tag that is hard to swallow. I’ll admit I have limited exposure to what the actually are capable of but I’ve read they still lack in brightness. Regardless, the price is rarely justifiable at this point. Prices fall as time goes on so don’t write them off completely. LED front lights might be a very real possibility sooner than later. But knowing the basics about the good old-fashioned incandescent light will be good for comparison purposes. They are always available and affordable.

Remember this is not an end all of lighting it my opinion and suggestion there are many ways to accomplish stage lighting specifically front lighting in this post. It’s a discipline that encompasses a multitude of things that are not always easy to articulate. I can’t stress enough how important it is to test equipment before making a purchase. I’m just shooting off some basics and will do my best to to an­­­swer questions.

Preamp Section

+48v (Phantom Power)- Sends 48vdc down the mic line. This is required for condenser type microphones, as well as active D.Is. It would be unlikely for this to harm a dynamic microphone.

Line, Pad, -20db- Lowers input level significantly. Initial signal level adjustment

Invert, Polarity, ∅- Inverts the polarity of the signal. This can generally be ignored. In most cases it is used when using two microphones on one source to avoid phase cancellation. (i.e. snare top and bottom)

Gain- This is the primary signal level adjustment. Gain structure is very important. The idea is to keep enough signal to overcome noise that is present in all equipment, while avoid clipping. Clipping is the when the amount of signal exceeds the maximum capacity of any device.

HPF (High Pass Filter), Low Cut- Gradually cuts frequencies below a certain frequency. (Typically around 80-100Hz.) In most cases this should be used on vocal mics, handhelds, and pastors mice to prevent popping and feedback.

Insert- This button enables and disables the insert jack. The insert jack allows you to take the signal out of the soundboard, almost immediately in terms of signal flow, and process it with outboard gear such as compressors or reverb units. It also lets you return the processed signal using the same jack and TRS cable. The signal then continues to travel through the rest of the soundboard, and can be mixed as usual.

EQ Section

EQ Gain- Changes the level of a specific frequency. (And some frequencies around it) This may be a fixed frequency or adjustable.

Frequency- Changes the frequency that the gain nob is adjusting.

Q, Bandwidth- This knob changes the range of frequencies that are being affected by a particular eq. band. A high Q is a finer adjustment and it’s influence on surrounding frequencies is minimal.  Bandwidth is the same thing just different terminology. A high bandwidth is a broad adjustment and has a significant impact on surrounding frequencies.

Shelf- A shelf or shelving eq. makes an adjustment to all frequencies above or below the designated frequency.

EQ On, Bypass- Turns the EQ on and off.

Aux Section

Level- Each knob controls the amount of signal that is being sent to each aux mix. Aux mixes are mixes that can be adjusted separately from the Stereo or Main mix.

Pre/Post- 

Post- Fader position influences aux mix

Pre- Fader position does not influence aux mix.

Fader Section

Pan/Balance- Gradually moves the signal from center (equal in both left and Right) to either the left or right speaker.

Mute, On- Turns the channel on and off.

Solo, PFL (Pre-fader Listen)- Pre-fader listen solos the selected Ch.

in the headphones.  Also shows the level on board’s main meters.

Meter- Shows the signal level. Stay out of the red! Typically this is a pre-fader level and should be influenced by adjusting the gain. Use this to help build proper gain structure.

Fader- This is the final input adjustment. Changes the amount of signal being sent to the main output. 0 means no change, this is also called nominal or unity. Any number below 0 is negative and means the signal is being attenuated. If the fader is relatively low at normal volume consider lowering gain. If the fader is relatively high consider increasing gain.

Bus Routing-

L-R      Sends signal to the main output.

1-2      Sends signal to groups 1(L) and 2(R).

3-4      Sends signal to groups 3(L) and 4(R).

There may be more or fewer Busses. They may be in stereo pairs as described above or individual.

Output Section

Aux- The knobs in the master section labeled aux adjust the overall level being sent to the aux output.

Matrix- A matrix is similar to an aux. An aux mix is built with inputs while in most cases a matrix allows you to mix different outputs.

Output Busses (Stereo, Main, Mono, Subgroup, Group)- Output busses are mix outputs. They can also be used to process groups of inputs or become a master volume for a group of inputs.  By sending all the vocal mics to bus 1-2 and taking it out of L-R. Then sending buss 1 and 2 to L-R you can make the faders for buss 1 and 2 group masters that adjust the level of all the vocal microphones. 

Monitor- This section controls the monitor outputs. You can select what is being monitored and also adjust the level of the monitor output. The Monitor output is the headphone output as well as any other outputs designated as monitor outputs. 

AFL- After-fader Listen, This will send the selected I/O to the monitor output.  As opposed to PFL, AFL reflects adjustments made by the fader or level knob.

I’ll start by saying that I’m a big fan of structure and procedure in a team environment. When I see details being missed or communication breaking down, my natural problem solving process drives me right to the toolbox of systems and procedure development. I would guess many of you do the same. It makes sense! When we see that communication has failed and details have fallen through the cracks, we assume that a more structured approach will ensure improvement. And in some cases, especially in the short term, it does work. But this solution alone will cost you.

You know who else has the default problem solving method of systems and procedure? The Department of Motor Vehicle.

Yes, the DMV has procedure down pat! If you want to study how to create forms and processes, the DMV is a research goldmine. And most times, those processes are effective. Everyone’s car can be registered and each adjustment has a process, complete with a form, to fill out. But what is the DMV’s reputation and culture? It’s not efficiency or customer service. It’s viewed as cold, unfriendly, and confusing. The same can be said for the IRS, medical insurance companies, and any other institution entrenched in and reliant on procedure.

This isn’t to say that systems aren’t important. They are! Without a procedure, you might lack the ability to capture important details or keep everyone on the same page. But what happens so often is that a system replaces the need for human interaction and understanding. And a procedure, enforced as the only option, discourages relationships and problem solving, and this is the danger! When your procedure discourages relationship, you damage your team and prevent growth. 

Here’s a real-world example of the dangers of over-reliance on a system. At our church, we have a few systems that track and process every day information. We have one for our building use calendar, one for projects that our design team works on, and a few others. Most times, they work great. We have a ton of incoming information, which needs to be sorted, prioritized, and approved in much the same way each time. A phone call or in-person conversation regarding each one would be very inefficient. So, when a person wants to use a room, they go onto this electronic system, schedule the dates, and then fill out the form, checking boxes for whether they need heat, lights, audio support, and so on. When everything goes smoothly, all that the people on the support end need to do is look at the system, determine the needs, and provide those items. But do this day in and day out, without any other interaction, and you’ll discover that two things are happening:

1.  The requestor and the supporter never need to speak to each other in order for these activities to happen. What kind of relationship do you think they have when there is absolutely no conversation taking place?
2. The support team member is trained to always look at the system and never ask questions or think for themselves.

So, with that as your interaction, what happens when a problem arises? Maybe the person requesting the room forgets to check the box saying that they need a microphone for that room, and the support team, having been trained to just read the system and never being in a rhythm where conversation is part of the process, skips setting one up. Maybe they skip it out of an innocent view of just completing what’s on the system. Or maybe they’ve come to believe that the requestor is solely responsible for thinking through and filling out what’s needed, and decides that if it isn’t on the sheet, it won’t get set up.

That’s one example, but this tendency happens in the church world in many different scenarios. Maybe you’re struggling with someone on your team not perfectly executing what they are supposed to (music, tech, grass cutting, you name it!) and you think a procedure is the sole solution. Or maybe you’re utilizing a system to schedule the team and communicate details about Sunday, but you haven’t had a real conversation with those people to allow for questions or feedback.

The biggest breakdown in all this is the lack of relationship! Since no conversation is taking place, and no relationship is being built, any conflict that arises is handled poorly since the two people don’t know each other or feel they have a relationship to maintain and protect. There’s no benefit of the doubt, because the one side doesn’t even know what went into the decision. And the requestor doesn’t really know what they’re really asking for (and what it will take to get it done), because they just filled out the form rather than discussing what’s best and what’s possible. You create a scenario where all parties involved dig in their heels and point fingers rather than come to the table and say “how can we work together to make this as successful as possible?”

So again, I’m not saying get rid of system and procedure. For our context, they remain necessary in many areas. But we need to keep the perspective that we’re all trying to accomplish the same thing! We’re one body with different gifts. What an incredibly relevant picture God has painted for us in using the body to illustrate the church. If you’re walking down the street, and for some reason your right foot doesn’t step out correctly, you’ll start to fall. Imagine the right hand saying “the foot’s supposed to carry us all along down the road, but he didn’t follow procedure. No way I’m covering for him!” Well, guess what – that body’s about to do a face plant on the concrete! We compensate for each other, because we support each other and need each other.

Avoid the pitfalls of over-reliance on a procedure. Look beyond what is supposed to be and begin asking how you can build better relationships with those you serve with. Ask yourself how you can best serve them and bring what you can offer to the table in order to make what you’re doing as successful as possible! Don’t allow a structure or system to convince you that you should shut your brain off and just click the checkboxes. Connect with people and serve alongside them, and use procedure as a tool that can be held open-handedly and sometimes deviated from!

How have you experienced the benefits and pitfalls of procedure in your context?

• Why your church should leverage the Christmas season effectively in your community

• How to begin a planning process early in order to be well prepared and incredibly creative without killing yourself

• How to think creatively about your Christmas timeframe gatherings

• Why (and how) you should use nostalgia, tradition, and the increased receptivity of people to God’s story in this timeframe

• Details around our Christmas production; preparation in music, lighting, video, audio, etc.

How are you leveraging the Christmas season this year? What will you do differently next year? Let us know in the comments or mention us on twitter @creativetmstuff

A brief summary of the conversation is below:

We don’t have this figured out!
Before we even dive in, please know that we are learning as we discuss through this. How we lead, structure, and develop teams is a constantly moving target. One thing we do know though; this is an opportunity for us to equip, empower, and release people to serve with the gifts God has given them. As leaders, for us it has to be about the people. We can’t just systematize this and view volunteers as just a means to an end. Our greatest achievement will be in the investing and training up of others that can go and do more of the work of ministry, and for the younger ones, become the next generation that will carry on the work.

The point is people!
Part of our responsibility is in structuring a team that can get stuff done. For sure we need to be effective and efficient in what we do. But, we also need to be identifying leaders who we can more intentionally invest in so that they can invest in others.

If our team isn’t effective, we shouldn’t as a first step try and clamp down or train more. Our first step should be to ask the question “am I investing properly in order to ensure success?”

We have to align people with how they are gifted. An honest, open dialogue with people about how we see them fitting into the body is important for us to have the guts to have.

The tension between quality and giving someone a chance can’t be answered with either/or.
We can’t determine that, because someone isn’t trained up yet that they can’t have a shot. But we also can’t be throwing people in before they are ready. Dismissing people based on their skill level today robs your team of potential later. But you don’t want to put people in a place for failure.

You can’t wait until the need arises to start thinking about team development.
The process of developing, maturing, and understanding gifting is a long-term process. As leaders, we need to have an eye for identifying potential early and having the patience to develop that potential over the long-haul. If we set the bar so high that no one can enter unless they have been trained elsewhere, we’ll have slim pickings when it comes time to fill a need. Remember, we were developed too! We weren’t competent right out of the gate. Someone, somewhere gave us the chance to learn and grow.

Community is important. Prioritize relationships
Part of investing in your team is in prioritizing relationships. Build in times to get to know people who are serving. It’s near impossible to help them discover how they are gifted if you don’t even know them! For more seasoned volunteers, part of the relational process is in guiding them through the journey from arriving at competency to shifting focus toward investing in others.

Bottom line:

- Be patient
- Plant in their heart the passion for ministry. Remind them often why they serve and who they serve (Christ).
- Have long-term views on team development
- Be relational

Know Your Role

It may seem simple, but having a strong understanding of your role can go a long way. Think about the function your role needs to serve, or the gaps that would be created if your position didn’t exist. Bringing these things to the front of your mind will provide a framework for you to use in decision-making contexts. Some decisions may not seem to require much thought, but using this structure will help you maintain consistency and aid in creating a precedent with those to whom you regularly communicate. When it comes time to make a more difficult decision, you will find the process in reaching it isn’t as mentally laborious, and over time your reasoning will become clear to the others involved.

Engage in Perspective Sharing

While I’ve found an understanding of one’s role to be an essential tool, an ability to understand varying perspectives is another fundamental part of managing internal communication. Having standards set in place is incredibly helpful until an exception arises – and there are always exceptions. To be inflexible simply because you are trying to set a precedent is sure to cause frustration and create future breakdowns in communication. Keep others in mind. In most cases, there are several perspectives that should be considered before a decision can be made. Let it be known that you’ve thought things through and your desire is to help. Understand that each interaction is contributing to the building of a relationship, and your willingness to consider others aids in that process.

Know Others

I’m not sure I can accurately portray the value I believe this to hold. Building relationships with others in your organization is by far the best way to improve communication across the board. Get to know them. Learn about where they came from and what they’re passionate about. Let them get to know you, too. Having a fundamental idea of who someone is eliminates a lot of ambiguity and alleviates tension. Learn the different communication styles of those you work with and appreciate the dynamic they each bring to the table. It becomes easier to put yourself in someone’s shoes if you know who they are and where they’re coming from. Chances are, they’ll be more likely to understand things from your perspective as well.

Know Yourself

As you begin to build relationships with your coworkers, you should be keenly aware that they are drawing conclusions and making inferences about who you are. Much attention should be given to ensure that who they discover you to be promotes perspective sharing and mutual respect. One of the healthiest things I’ve learned to do is continually evaluate who I am.  We all have our own tendencies and quirks that we should be aware of, but the question should cause you to dig deeper.

• Who does God say you are? There are a number of things He says we become when we decide to be His children, but what about the things He calls us to be that require our effort and attention?
• Are you a person of integrity (Matthew 5:37)?
• Are you patient (Romans 12:12, Ephesians 4:2)? Know how you react in stressful situations and compare that with who God calls you to be.

It can be easy to think your relationship with God is only for your personal life and to leave it behind at work, even in a church context. Work to keep it in the front of your mind and allow God to shape who you are and how you act at work. When your coworkers can see God’s leading in your life, it will naturally build respect and trust.

How have you experienced communication in complexity? Tell us in the comments, or let us know on twitter @creativetmstuff