Run with God

We're really good at faking it (or how you can get involved in CFPB Media)

Last night at Media ADVANCED TRAINING at CFDT someone said to me: "Oh, you don't need any help at CFPB. You guys have your act together." I laughed, and said that they had no idea...

Then I started to think... and think... and I started mapping out on my whiteboard/wall...

Because we value our volunteers, we need more volunteers...

I've served in churches where I was overworked/overstretched as a Media volunteer, and when I took the position at Christ Fellowship, I promised myself I would not do that to my volunteers. I would value their sacrifice and not overstretch their willingness to serve.

Some of my volunteers work one service a week... and that's awesome... until someone goes on vacation and I'm short volunteers. Some volunteers work all four services on a weekend... and that's awesome... until they do that four weeks straight and are exhausted from serving...

So, we're in the process of setting up a rotation, so as not to burn out anyone involved in the CFPB Weekend Worship Experience.

And, to completely fill that rotation, I need another 28 people...

To put that into perspective, right now 30-35 people serve every wknd at CFPB in media. I have 45-50 active volunteers... and I'd love 28 more...

Some positions are simple.
Some are incredibly difficult.
Some are low stress.
Some are very stressful.
Some serve one service a wknd.
Some serve all wknd. One wknd on, Two wknds off.

In whatever capacity, in however you express your creativity, we would love to have you involved in serving at CFPB in Media.

Areas we need the most help: TV Camera Operators, ProPresenter/Computer Operators, Media Cart Volunteers, Classic Service Technicians...

For more information, holler at me via Twitter/Facebook/Email jreed [at] cfmiami [dot] org or call 305/238-1818.

Thoughts from Ministry Rally...

1) We're going on TV. WSVN (Fox affiliate) Sundays @ 11am. What's the word I'm looking for.... uh... WOOHOO! This is yet another seed distribution point, another opportunity for us to impact people in Miami-Dade for Christ. God, thank you for the opportunity. Christ Fellowship, thank you for believing enough in the Media volunteers to allow us to serve...

2) Great worship. Love the strobe lights... and by strobe lights I mean smoke alarm when my unnamed light tech went a little heavy on the haze. Thank you to Miami-Dade Firemen for not yelling at us TOO BADLY...

3) Great Advanced Training sessions. New people at practically every seminar. People who use audio, visuals, or computers as their hobby... but want to use their talents (so to speak) for the Lord. Had some great conversations. I love meeting new people!

4) Had a conversation with a member of CF. She's been connected to the church for over 40 years. She's in her 80s (a Great Grandmother) and asked me if she could test drive Media being a VJ. Why? Well, if my Mom can do it, she wants to try. Seriously, how great is that!

5) Highlight of my night happened in Starbucks after the breakouts (I took a couple of our volunteers out). Following is a conversation between me and Eddy P:

Eddy- I'm just looking forward to digital scripts!
Jeff- What are you talking about?
Eddy- Jeff, you give us these massive scripts. I can't follow that and do what I need to do. I don't have enough hands. I want to see the script on a computer monitor and then have someone scroll the page for me when it's time so I can have my hands free on the switcher.
Jeff- Eddy, that's beautiful. That's the best idea I've ever heard. That one person can help Sound, Lights, Camera Director, Stage Director, and VJ keep up with what's going on. We're doing that immediately!

So here's the deal. I need four people (one person for each service) that can scroll a Microsoft Excel document. Basically, if you can click on an Excel document, you can do this. Let me know if you're game!

God, thank You for these opportunities. Thank You for allowing us to do great things for Your Glory.

"I could see God moving... I just wanted to be a part..."

It's been an exciting couple weeks at CFPB Media...

We've picked up three VJers. My mom is one of them... I love it! Three people are now in regular rotation because they are willing to click a mouse... No experience required, no knowledge necessary... just click a mouse...

We've picked up a couple camera operators. I spent two hours tonight working with a couple potential camera guys. They used to do camera stuff years ago, and they're interested in "scrapping off the rust" and helping with the visual representation of worship on the CFPB campus. Awesome!

I just got off the phone with a potential ProTools guy. He does multi-track audio at his house using Cubase. I told him "Oh, then you really should check out our ProTools setup..." He said he always wanted to learn ProTools, and was looking forward to the opportunity. He starts training tomorrow night!

Whether you have experience, rusty experience, or you're just willing to help... COME CHECK OUT MEDIA! See you at the Ministry Rally Breakout sessions Friday night!

My Mommy's not lying... it is as easy as clicking a mouse!

Had several people test-drive media today. Awesome. We picked up three more VJers (Center Screen Operators) this week. That's awesome. I'm especially proud of one of them...

My mommy.

After the Saturday night service, Amy and I had dinner at my parents house. Got to talking with Mommy. Next thing I know, I said to Mommy, "Hey, you should come try Media." Twelve hours later, I think she liked it. This is her direct quote: "Yes it was as easy as a click." So she's wants to regularly commit to serving in the Sunday 10:30 service as a VJ. AWESOME! Yes, Caitlyn's Grandmother is a Video Jockey! HAHAHA!

Media @ CFPB is a Reed family affair. My wife has been running Imag/ProPresenter for years. She's even dabbled in Camera Directing. Ultimately, she was tired of being a "Media Widow" - a spouse who never gets to worship with her husband (since husband is serving), so volunteered so she could serve alongside me. Rumor has it my Dad is going to learn the TV Cameras... okay, I started the rumor... but it is rumor nonetheless...

Thanks, Reed Family, for serving in Media @ CFPB. Looking for a place to serve? Look no further! Serving in Media? Invite your friends and family to join the experience!

The Philosophy Behind Teaching

I published one of our scripts from the worship portion of our wknd service earlier this week. Love the feedback. One reader (from another church) commented that CFPB has more light cues in one of our songs than they do for their entire service. That made me 1) laugh 2) appreciate the CF Staff, for allowing us to push the envelope 3) appreciate our volunteers, for running alongside and helping us raise the bar. (All light programming every week is done completely by Stephen Farr, a stud of a volunteer).

Anyway, met with most of CFPB's Camera Directors today. Great conversation. Love these guys, and their desire to do bigger and better things... within the context of church. I've met volunteers (and staff) that want to do super/huge/crazy/phenomenal stuff... but it doesn't fit in the context of church. So if it doesn't fit, you must acquit! why do it?

We talked about how much effort we put into "producing" the worship portion of the service. We NAIL worship every week! That 25 minute portion of the service, visually on camera, is awesome. A lot of work, both staff and volunteer, goes into worship.

Honestly, not as much goes into teaching. I felt guilty about it. Teaching is 40-45 minutes of our service, almost 2/3rds of our average service. We go through all this effort to plan out the worship, but then the teaching portion is very haphazard. Not that it's bad, but visually I don't think we were executing at the level we could. We just weren't using all the resources we have available to us.

Not anymore! Teaching is going to get it's due. Visually, there's a lot that cameras can do to help aid the message shared during teaching. A tight shot when the teacher is being open. A slow, gentle push when the teacher is building his point. We can use these visuals to tell a story, to reinforce/strengthen what the teacher is saying...

How are we going to achieve this?

1. We've added a third, economical camera (thank you Hector!) that will enable us to get a much tighter shot of the teacher
2. We are scripting the message portion. We were scripting before, slide numbers/etc. But why not go into greater detail for teaching. Mark points and do the legwork for our volunteer directors and cameramen. Writing it out helps to produce a coordinated effort on the message portion at CFPB. Scripting allows for a consistent level of excellence, regardless of what service you attend.
3. You're going to help us. Yeah, you. Click here, and see how easy it is to help out in Media, and then come join us! It's simple. We'll tell you what to do and when to do it. All you have to do is be willing to do it.

...we even tell you when to click

The other day I thought back to where CFPB services were twelve months ago, versus where they are now. In the midst of launching three other campuses and losing key volunteers...CFPB continues to raise the bar. HD Camera upgrade, ProVideoPlayer on Center Screen, Tighter integration of Stage Lighting, Digital signage on stage during Teaching portion of service...

The more we push, the more difficult communication would be, right? Not here...

Maybe a year, or even six months ago. Back then we had lots of "halos". Sound, Lights, Cameras, VJ, ProPresenter... we weren't operating as a cohesive unit as much as we were individuals doing their thing. And for the most part it worked, but the services didn't really come together with the same "pop" as they do now.

This is a sample of our current "script". About a year ago I don't think we had a "script". There were words on a page, but it was a guessing game whether they were accurate, much less what was happening during each of the songs. Now everything is scripted. Why is it scripted out in as much detail? Because we as staff put a LOT of effort into our services and we want it executed it properly. And CF Media volunteers have a built-in standard of excellence (oftentimes higher than the staff's standard). Volunteers want it done right, and as long as we communicate what needs to happen, our volunteers do it! It's exciting to see that level of ownership!

Take a look at our "script". Realize 1) the amount of work that goes into prepping a service and 2) how easy it is for CF volunteers to execute a service with this level of info.

Together CF Staff and CF Media Volunteers continue to raise the bar EVERY WEEK! It's phenomenal to see God use this group of people to reach the city of Miami. Thanks, everybody!

CFers, seriously. If you can click a mouse, push a button, type on a keyboard, or flip a switch... get involved in Media! Media is so easy we even tell you WHEN to click! Email media@cfmiami.org.

If you're smart enough to read this... we need you in Media

Seriously, not kidding. First off, we need Media Support on all five campuses/eighteen worship venues. See the first video below.

I'm not exaggerating here. It's not rocket science at all. We've done a great job simplifying the system. If you can click, you can help! Come help! Email media@cfmiami.org

So, if you can click... join Media. If you're a little more advanced in your knowledge/experience... come be a Hero. "Heroes" is a volunteer multisite tech support team that will help our multisites stay afloat when problems pop up for the weekend... check the video below.

If you're have experience in audio, or video, or networking, or familiar with Macs, or electrical... come be a HERO for our multisite venues. Email hero@cfmiami.org.

We need you at CF Media. No matter what your knowledge/experience is, there's a place for you here. Come be a part!

Saluting Media Volunteers

Crazy weekend. This week the CFPB Media Crew produced the Saturday sermon portion of the service to be distributed to every multisite venue. Literally, more people will see the Saturday night message on tape than will see the service live.

We nailed the visual elements of the service. We introduced digital signage on the stage during the teaching... a plasma on a rolling cart that is a mirror image of our center screen... and pushed any sermon illustrations (videos, photos, graphics) on that plasma/center screen instead of putting them on the side screen. Very effective. (Already had several people mention to me that they liked it).

And as hard as we worked to nail the visual elements, we had an audio problem (most likely an interfering frequency) with Rick's wireless mic. Sounded like Rice Crispies (Snap, Crackle, Pop) for the majority of the sermon. Not bad live, but HORRENDOUS on tape.

Our plan (as discussed) was during video teaching weeks if the quality is sub CF standards... we need to reshoot the message Saturday night after the service. And that's what we did. 'Til about 10pm Saturday night.

Thanks to Rafael F, Mike C, Charlie B, Keith T, Hector H, Anthony P, and Brian L for sticking around, working through the problems, and helping us produce the message for Video Teaching. CF Media Volunteers are STUDS!

Mental note: Always have a backup plan in place. And don't be afraid to use it.

Superhero Characters and Volunteer Thank You(s)

First off, thanks to the TONS of volunteers who serve on a weekly basis @ CF. Honestly, we could not do what we do without you all. CF would not exist, and I for one say thank you.

Now, I said that I was going to dress up as a Superhero/Villain, and I needed your help. Who should I be?

Captain Geiger of the Spaceship CF Enterprise... iJeff... MacMan... Bibleman... Six (the Cylon from Battlestar Galactica)... Duct Tape Man... all great ideas...

I was going to back out of dressing up. Really torn in what to dress up as.

I decided that I was going to go with Lex Luthor. I'm bald. I'm smashing in a suit. Should be a slam dunk. The problem is my big 'ol honkin eyebrows. Luthor lost all his hair in the comet crash in Supermandome... so my eyebrows and chest hair gotta go. Relax, I'm not that guy. I don't wax. The Goatee? well, maybe that's expendable...

So I struggled with who to be. Leave it to Paul Ronda for the save. "Luthor? You look more like Kingpin!"

Kingpin, in Marveldome, is a huge, bald villain/crime boss who goes at it against Spiderman, Daredevil, and a ton of other superheroes. He's a beast of a man, and if he's coming at you full steam ahead, you better move... I'm really not 6'7" and 450lbs, but you get the idea.

Yeah, that's who I am. Kingpin...

So thank you, Paul, for hooking me up with the idea. I LOVE IT! BTW, Paul, You get the giftcard hookup that I aforementioned in my blog. Tell me which store you want it from. AND since I don't think you read my blog, if someone could tell Paul he won, that'd be great.

So did I pull it off? Eh, it could've been better. But I win the COMMITMENT award for shaving the Goatee just for this event!

Thanks again to all our volunteers, especially our Media crew! You are greatly appreciated!!!

Media Reach Beyond

A couple weeks ago, I coordinated a Reach Beyond for the Media Ministry. Several people heard the story, and I quickly found myself on the other end of the camera. Note: I hate being on camera. And thanks again to the many volunteers who sacrificed a Friday night to come serve Miami.

Check out the video below. Thanks to Hector for making me look good. Believe me, that's not an easy thing to do.