Greg Atkinson

TODAY is THE day to order your copy of Igniter Backs 03. It’s inevitable – you’re going to order it anyway. BUT, today and today only, you get a FREE Igniter t-shirt with your order (you choose size and style). Igniter is excited about this release and feels like the IgniterBacks on this volume are the most usable yet. First, they are offering each Countdown and Loop in 4 formats (including two HD formats). They have also done a better job of making sure the media on all three discs compliment each other well. For instance, if you see a motion loop you like, chances are there are a couple other loops similar as well as a countdown and some stills. That way, you can program your whole service with the same theme or ‘look’.

By the way, they’ll still throw in the Starbucks card (you get one for spending over $20 in the store on shippable items).

PERSONAL:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: IgniterBacks 01 and 02 are essential tools for every church’s media library. I’ve got ‘em, I use ‘em and I HIGHLY recommend them. IgniterBacks 03 is an improvement upon an already top quality product. I urge you to get your order in today. If you don’t have any of the volumes, get with it!

NOTE:

Please know that I understand many of you don’t have media budgets to order from. I know many of you pay for resources out of your own pocket. For those of you in this category, you have to be even more discerning and really be choosy about what you purchase. IgniterBacks won’t let you down or disappoint. If I had to pick one product (containing stills, loops and countdowns) to build my media library, I would purchase the entire set of IgniterBacks.

Something that is pretty cool and very special to me are the roses we display on our stage each week. The roses represent someone that has come to Christ in the past week. White roses represent children. Yellow roses represent youth. Red roses represent adults. Yesterday we had two red roses. I love the constant reminder of changed lives and what we are to be about. I’ve been on staff at Bent Tree now 6 months and there hasn’t been a Sunday, yet, where we didn’t have at least one rose on the stage – that’s amazing!

Another local church, Irving Bible, has their congregation members light candles each week and place them on the altar. The white candles represent something that God is up to in their life. The red candles represent someone that has come to Christ in the last week. It’s cool to see the red candles sprinkled throughout the sea of white candles.

Do you do anything like this at your church?

If you get a chance, read my article “Merger” in Christian AV Magazine. You can probably relate to it. How is the relationship with the musicians and techies at your church? An even better question is: Do you see the technical people at your church as artists? Do they see themselves as artists? My title at my church is Director of TECHNICAL ARTS. I believe that lighting, sound and video are arts and ways to express our gifts, talents and love for Christ. Your thoughts?

It took a hotdog eating contest to determine what they’d do, but Jeff represented and pulled out a close one with Trent. Since Jeff won the hotdog eating contest you can get a $20 Starbucks giftcard with the purchase of any shippable product over $20 (now through August 12) – that’s a great deal. Even though I’ve got everything Igniter has ever put out, I’m tempted to buy something just for the giftcard.

EXTRA:

There is a new site offering design inspiration for church graphic designers and web developers. It’s called Faveup. Check it out!

This just in from the “Think, Jump, Yak” blog of Kim Gentes. He did a technology and worship resource lineup. I was honored to have my blog listed on his list, but also found out about a couple of new resources that I wasn’t aware of. I definitely think it’s worth checking out (click HERE). Speaking of resource links, I’d encourage you to click on my LINKS tab at the top of this blog.

Yesterday was great. Brenton Brown (and his amazing band) led worship – they rocked and really were sensitive to the Spirit. Our worship pastor preached and blew me away. We had a high school senior video direct for the first time and he did wonderful (keying and all). There’s no turning back now – we’ve started keying and we’re not going back. It was just a great day all in all. I love my church and am proud to be a part of it.

REMINDER (I’m looking to hire a full-time Audio Coordinator/FOH Engineer – PLEASE let me know if you know of someone that would be good for this position. Below is the job description:

Overview

Bent Tree Bible Fellowship, a 5,000-member, non-denominational church located in Carrollton, TX (a suburb of Dallas), is accepting applications for the Audio Coordinator position. Bent Tree Bible Fellowship currently holds three Sunday services (2 in the AM and 1 in the PM) in their current worship center. A new 3,200-seat worship center is being built and should be ready in late Fall of this year, at which time the church will go to 2 Sunday morning services. Bent Tree is seeking a full-time Audio Coordinator who will be responsible for overseeing audio systems for all worship services and special events that occur on the church campus. In addition to mixing front-of-house on Sunday & for special services, this position would include implementation of production team’s weekend sound goals, oversight of regular maintenance of existing equipment, sound support for itinerant ministry events outside of weekend service, team building and interaction, potential studio recording opportunities, and much more. You’ll be working directly with the Technical Arts Director on a week-to-week basis in addition to our large volunteer team and Worship and Arts staff.

Job Summary

The Audio Coordinator will lead volunteer audio teams and team leaders and so will need to be comfortable leading and managing people. The Audio Coordinator will eventually oversee audio editing and sound design using Pro Tools and other editing equipment once the church’s recording studio is complete. Lastly, this individual will oversee the operation, distribution, and maintenance of all audio equipment and systems throughout the campus.

Duties

* Oversee audio needs for all weekend services.
* Oversee all sound equipment on the church campus.
* Oversee systematic recruiting and training of audio team workers.
* Work with the Technical Arts Director concerning the acquisition of new equipment and software.
* Oversee the maintenance and repair of audio equipment and software.
* Ability to set up and operate advanced sound system (96 channel Digidesign Venue) and has at least 1 year experience with digital consoles and comfortable mixing at least 40 channels of audio.
* Oversee a budget for area of responsibility.
* Provide stability, leadership and mentorship for Audio ministry.
* Develop and implement training for secondary and volunteer audio staff.
* Oversee digital audio recording and editing of conferences, seminars, sermons, concerts, and other activities as requested by Worship & Arts staff.
* Oversee audio recording for website and podcasts.
* Oversee audio needs for small classroom settings and other smaller church functions.
* Oversee training of non-audio lay persons in the use of audio/visual classroom equipment.
* Maintain inventory of audio equipment.
* Maintain current knowledge of new technology and availability of latest audio equipment and supplies on the market.
* Fulfill other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

* Has a strong relationship with Jesus Christ.
* Must be an equipper and lead as such. The Audio Coordinator will have to multiply himself.
* AS/BS in Audio Engineering or related field is preferred.
* At least three years previous experience in related field.
* Organizes simultaneous multiple tasks.
* Operates with thoroughness and attention to detail.
* Works cooperatively with maintenance team, custodial staff, pastoral members, volunteers and general public.
* Act as a troubleshooter and makes mid-course corrections as needed.
* Has a strong knowledge of signal flow & RF wireless mic programming.
* Has experience with a digital console. The new worship center will have a Digidesign Venue as its sound console (prefer someone with experience on the Venue).
* Ability to troubleshoot and do basic repair on electronic equipment.

Additional Skills that are beneficial to this position

* Administrative skills
* Teachable and able to teach
* Leadership/supervisory skills
* Passion for excellent sound
* Participation in weekly planning and production meetings
* Ministry experience (volunteer recruitment/training)
* Keep a neat stage/platform
* Self-motivated to manage work-load
* Humble, servant attitude
* Love the Lord, show up on time, work hard, lead by example, pray often, rest hard, do it again!

Salary

This is a full-time position with benefits (40 hours/week on the average.) Be aware that there are peak ministry times 4 times a year where you’ll probably work over 40 hours (Good Friday/Easter, Christmas, Summer Fine Arts Day Camp and Fall Missions Festival). Feel free to check out http://www.btbf.org for more info about our church. Resumes and demo reels or CDs can be sent to Greg Atkinson at the church.

Email resumes to: gatkinson@btbf.org

Contact Information

Bent Tree Bible Fellowship
Attn: Greg Atkinson
4141 International Pkwy
Carrollton, TX 75007

Phone: 972-306-4477
Fax: 972-306-0894
Web Site: www.btbf.org

Last night we had our Video Director training. I really appreciate so many of you posting tips for Video Directors. I met with 2 of our video team leaders the night before and read them your comments. That then gave us a launching pad to come up with our own, unique dos and don’ts, etc. I put together a notebook with 3 different handouts in it. I gave each Video Director a Blockbuster gift card and a notebook.

We sat in a circle and discussed the main handout that I created, which covered basic tips, guidelines and standards. This apparently had never been done, so it was cool to get everyone on the same page. We had a great discussion then went upstairs for our hands-on portion of the training, which was to make sure that all of our Video Directors know how to key. From here on out we’ll be keying names every week, as well as occasional specials that are done in lower thirds.

I know many of you may already be keying every week, but for my church (I’m still fairly new there), this was new and something that I’ve been wanting us to add consistently for a while. Now, moving forward, all Video Directors will be required to be able to key. It was disappointing to have 2 Video Directors that didn’t make it out to the training session. This was the first training session for Video Directors held at my church in years (if ever). I’ll have to catch up the 2 that missed on all we covered last night.

All in all, it was a great and fruitful night and I’m pleased with the outcome of it. Everyone seemed to appreciate being given set guidelines, dos, don’ts, procedures, etc. I’m happy that our crew will be functioning in more of a professional manner and maintain a level of quality each week.

***Thanks for those of you that emailed me your Video Request Forms. If you have one and haven’t emailed it to me, please do. I’m taking ideas from several to create our own. Once I finish our form, I’ll make it available to anyone that wants it.

EXTRA:

2 days ago I attended a luncheon of local tech and media directors. It was fun to meet guys from different churches around Dallas. Those that know me, know I’m a big networker.  I’m actually in 2 groups like this. This one was a “ya’ll come-type group” for many churches of all sizes. I’m also a part of a smaller group of 5 guys from similar churches that get together regularly. Do any of you have a local tech director meeting in your city?

This Sunday we have Brenton Brown and his band as guest worship leaders. Brenton has written such songs as “Hallelujah (Your Love is Amazing)”, “Lord, Reign in Me”, “Hosanna” and one of my favorites: “Everlasting God”.

PLEASE NOTE:

I’m looking to hire a full-time Audio Director at my church. I started 5 months ago as the Technical Arts Director (I oversee the entire sound, video and lights ministry). This is my first hire and thus the first addition to the Technical Arts staff, which will eventually include other key staff, such as a Lighting Director and a Video Director. This first hire is crucial as we prepare to move into our new worship center and switch from an analog to a digital console (The Digidesign Venue). Tomorrow I’ll post the job description on here. If you or someone you know is interested in this position, please email me at gatkinson@btbf.org.
EXTRA:

One of my favorite bands, Mute Math, rocked David Letterman last night! Who saw them represent?

As I mentioned before, I’m holding several training sessions at my church this summer. The first one is for video directors/switchers and is this Thursday night. I have some “in-house” things that I’m going to talk about as well as some skills we’ll seek to learn/improve. I’m curious, though, if any of you have 3 tips or guidelines that you would share in general with video directors. I’d love to hear them.

EXTRA:

Simpsons fans will dig this cool interactive promotion for the upcoming film based on the animated family. You can go HERE to get “Simpsonized.” Basically, you just need to upload a photo of yourself to get transformed into a character.

BONUS:

“Five Storytelling Secrets for Pastors and Teachers” by Steven James:

• Key #1 – Let the story speak for itself.
• Key #2 – Stop telling your listeners what happened and start showing them who struggled.
• Key #3 – When you tell stories from your life, always be the mistake maker.
• Key #4 – Never tell the same story twice.
• Key #5 – Pretend Less; Believe More.

To read the entire article click HERE.