This is a Guest Post by Nate Beaird.
Every church, big or small, young or old, has the ability to start or grow an existing media department. That’s a pretty bold statement, huh? Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s true, and in the next few posts, I’m going to give you practical steps to actually do it!
As the church, we’ve been commanded to “Go into all the world” to spread the Gospel. Your marketing is part of this cause. Whether you’re trying to get your sermons out there to help people that normally would not darken the doors of a church, or trying to get people to come to a special event– you will use print, video, and/or web media to do it.
Step 1: Focus
Decide your focus.
This is especially important before you start a new (or refocus) your church media department, because it will determine what equipment/software you’ll pursue. Also, it will help keep you “on course” when debating equipment, software, or marketing ideas in the future.
There might be a great idea, but if it’s not conducive to your focus– it needs to be dropped. Also, it will help you make hard purchasing decisions regarding the equipment/software in the future. “Computer A” may be more expensive than “Computer B,” but “Computer B” has what you need to fulfill the vision of your media department. We’ll talk later about the possibilities for raising funds for this new venture later.
Take a time-out, talk with your pastor about his or her vision for the church. This will help guide your focus. Ask questions like;
- “Will this department be a valued source of our outreach?”
- “Where are we now, and where do we want to be?”
and - “Is this ministry specifically for our community, or will we put an equal amount of effort on the global stage?”
These types of questions will guide your focus. Narrowing your focus can substantially stretch your dollars, as well as your impact. The rest of the steps we talk about later are meaningless unless you find your focus! Well, what are you waiting for!?
[Image from Margolove]
Alright, we're trying to rebuild our ministry team right now. I was so stoked to see the title, but the short length of the content leaves me wanting more. Perhaps that's what you meant to do, and that's all well and good… but I am of the microwave generation, and so I want more, and I want it now.
Thanks for posting, and doing a possibly, totally awesome series on something like this!
glad you stopped by!
Wow! Talk about God answering my prayers! I'm the "Technical Arts Director" at my church and I'm trying feverishly to launch a Media Department. My tech arts program has been the fastest growing ministry in my church since I took over in 2003. I seem to have gotten into a rut recently and I'm feeling stuck. Yesterday I scheduled a meeting with my senior pastor to discuss some options. Your post is coming at exactly the right time! I hope the following steps are posted before my meeting next Wednesday!
Rock on bro!
wow, that's dope!
I do wholeheartedly agree with the way that you need to begin building your media department. I have specialized in media, and video for over 12 years now, and it’s an amazing awesome media. If you can utilize the power of the web, photography, and video to reach your audience, then you are welcomed into the new century. Look forward to seeing more posts like this.
Building a media department is an absolutely crucial component of church life in 2010. Unfortunately, there aren’t a whole lot of resources for knowing how to do it. Good start, Nate. Are we going to see some more?
@Daniel – You can continue this series by following the link just under this comment! “Step 2 – Resources”
Thanks for the kind words!
well, thanks for this wonderful information…am about to setup a media department and i would like to know how to go about inviting people.