This week I wanted to draw a distinction between getting equipment you need versus trying to keep up with the latest gear and being on the cutting edge, or as defined by techies, “gearheads.”
Every purchase decision should be based on an objective and collaborative discussion with your team and leadership to determine whether the purchase would significantly add value and positive changes to the worship experience. Even if everyone agrees that it would be good to have, implementing the latest and greatest of anything is rarely a smooth process and is more often fraught with glitches, user error and spotty reliability, particularly with camera gear and software.
Remember, good stewardship is not about how much money you save but how much you don’t waste and if you don’t understand the difference between those than it’s time to sit down and really think about it, talk about it, and get your head right.
It’s an awesome feeling to have a new high tech toy, but unless it can fit seamlessly into your current system and really save you time, effort, or add noticeable value to your crew or your worship environment, I would caution against getting it.
Now, I know that some churches out there live a culture of being on the cutting edge and they are accustomed to the issues that come with that and have (hopefully) set the budgeting aside to handle the pitfalls of being on that edge. However, most of the churches I know of are feeling the pressure to keep up with the changing industry. This can lead to poor purchasing and implementation decisions and ultimately, more expenditures.
My recommendation is sit down with your team and leadership to start the dialogue about where you are as a church, as a ministry, and where you want to be in five years. Start vision casting and planning and if your current equipment won’t let you reach your five year vision, figure out what steps you are going to take to make sure your systems will be helping reach those goals rather than stand in the way. Do you need a new sound system, lighting system, projection system or video system? Do you need to start streaming?
Don’t know? Now’s a good time to start that dialogue. And always, always, always, seek the Lord’s counsel in everything you do…that’s the best advice I can give you.
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