Much of the technology world is a “boys club” with a minimal number of females in the field and the Church tech community is no exception. It’s dominated by men, but like the rest of the technology world, it could benefit a great deal with the inclusion of women.
How should the Church tech community approach this?
That’s this episode’s topic along with Five Questions with Church techie Mike Sessler.
Episode Sixteen
[ Subscribe via iTunes | RSS | Proudly Hosted on Buzzsprout]
Five Questions
On this episode, we have the awesome Mike Sessler answer Five Questions!
Mike Sessler is the Technical Arts Director at Coast Hills Community Church in sunny Southern California, author of ChurchTechArts and host of the Church Tech Weekly podcast.
When it comes to the nuts and bolts of Church tech — sound, video and lighting — I don’t know a more knowledgable guy.
You can follow Mike on Twitter, friend him on Facebook and circle on Google+.
Link Love
- First In Last Out – Todd Elliot via Mike Sessler
- Ron Edmondson via Mike Sessler
- Seth Godin via Mike Sessler
- Tech Needs Women, But Women Don’t Necessarily Need Tech
Never miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes!
Do you have a question or podcast idea? Don’t be shy: podcast[at]churchm.ag
[Image via hermitsmoores via Compfight cc]
Rachel Blom says
Can I just point out the irony of guys discussing this topic? 🙂
Eric Dye says
Case in point. 😉
Jason Delgado (@jXd1689) says
ha! love the rant regarding the soundbooth 😀
Eric Dye says
😛
April says
I am the sound/video/projection manager at our church. I think it’s all about looking beyond gender, which a lot of people still don’t do, and finding the people who are capable.
Eric Dye says
Amen, Sister! 😀
We may need to bring you on for Five Questions and a ChurchMag Spotlight this year!
April says
That would be fun! 🙂
Grace McCrorie says
Thought this podcast was, um, interesting…and, kinda funny. I own Church Website Ideas, where I blog about, well church websites. I lead the Web Team at my church, which includes my pastor. And, I formerly served as Technology Director for DC Web Women, a member organization of more than 3,000 women in tech in the Washington, DC area.
None of that has happened because “the guys let me do it.”
I have been in churches where men couldn’t set aside their pride, and work alongside gifted women as equals. That’s an issue of their heart that God has to work out. In the meantime HE sent me where I was needed, and I’m grateful for what He’s entrusted to me.
I just wonder if you guys haven’t gotten the wrong idea. Women in tech aren’t always meek little frightened things who need men to “force” them to serve. Sometimes, they just need the guys to be welcoming and encouraging, instead of competitive and prideful.
At my church, my pastor is the only guy on a four-servant Web team. We all appreciate what each one brings to the table. I also design my pastor’s sermon graphics and media assets. The audio team was led by a woman until she went on maternity leave.
Our congregation is small, but we’re gearing up to begin recruiting efforts later this year. I expect men AND women will answer that call, and without our having to actually say, “we are recruiting men AND women.”
What about women in church tech? Really? Come on guys. More women are involved in church tech than you think. It may “seem” like we’re missing, but trust me, we’re doing our thing.
Eric Dye says
Great feedback, Grace. It’s great to hear your voice, here!
Phil Schneider says
Maybe we didn’t communicate this very well, but I took the conversation as more of a self-reflection: “Are we making it hard for women to get involved? Do we need to be intentional in welcoming everyone into church tech?”
I don’t think any of us were under the impression that tech women are meek at all. (In fact, I know truly very few “meek” women.) I do think that most people think of tech/church tech as male-dominated, whether it is or not. We call the position “sound guy” or “sound man.”
And so, to me, this podcast was an opening to a larger discussion of whether the church is reflecting culture or advancing the culture, particularly in controversial areas like this.
Eric Dye says
Exactly, Phil.
Grace McCrorie says
Thanks guys! I was responding to things that were said. Thanks so much for clarifying your intent.
Eric Dye says
Thank you for being so awesome!