Greg Atkinson

I’m absolutely loving life in Southwest Missouri! I know I’ve neglected my blog over the last 3 months since I started my new role as a Campus Pastor at Forest Park, but it was a sacrifice that I had to make to keep my sanity. With settling into a new city/moving, new job, the tornado/disaster relief and the work of ministry – it’s been all I could do to occasionally blog for our church’s website and even that has suffered. I hope to get back to regular updates soon.

So, I’m putting together my team here in Carthage, Missouri – a great small town about 15 minutes from Joplin (where the Tornado hit and where our original campus is). Carthage is a unique and special small town (population 15,000-18,000). You can drive 15 minutes to Joplin and have a variety of restaurants, shopping and movies, but we have our own Drive-In Movie Theater on the original Route 66! Pastors at our church get a free annual pass to the Drive-In and all Carthage High School football games in the Fall. Football is big here!

Carthage is also home to Marian Days (currently going on this week. You have to see it to believe it). It’s when 70,000 Vietnamese people come to town and congregate for a week. There are tents and people everywhere! Carthage is also home to the Maple Leaf Parade (happening this October), which is the largest parade in the Midwest and will feature 50,000 people – again we’re a town of 15,000. In the late 20th century, the town began actively courting tourism, emphasizing its history (the Battle of Carthage, Victorian architecture, and Route 66), as well as its proximity to the Precious Moments hotel and store, along with the popular country music destination Branson, Missouri. Did I mention Carthage is also the home of the Precious Moments Park and Chapel, a tourist attraction with paintings and oversized depictions of the popular porcelain figurines? Come visit and I’ll take you on a tour. We are in what’s called the Four States Region of the country and are a short drive from Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, St. Louis, Branson, Arkansas, Kansas, etc. We’re just 6 hours from my old home in Dallas, TX.

So… I’m slowly building my team. Over the last 3 months, I’ve put together a lay Leadership Team. I’ve increased our Student Pastor’s time and pay and I’ve hired a part-time Kids Pastor. Now, for the next crucial step for our campus, I’m looking for an amazing and dynamic Worship Pastor to join our team.

Before I dive into the questions I have for you, let me mention that if you or someone you know is interested or looking for a worship position, please have them contact me. My church email is grega@fpbc.net. You can check out our church website at www.ForestPark.tv (please know we will build a new website in the future) and on Facebook. Forest Park is a dynamic and vibrant church in the Four States Region that is doing some very innovative things here in Southwest Missouri. We’re the only multi-site church that I know of here and we are what’s called a Pacesetter in the Missouri Baptist Convention – that means we’ve baptized over 100 people in a year. Our Senior Pastor has been here 15  years and we’ve baptized over a hundred people each year for 15 years – that’s over 1500 people! We’ve already baptized over 100 people this year and it’s August. That’s a lot for our part of the country. I say this because you need to know that we’re highly evangelistic and have a huge focus on outreach and evangelism.

I think I offer a unique perspective as a boss, Campus Pastor and friend to a would-be Worship Pastor at our campus as I’ve spent the last 17 years in worship ministry, producing worship experiences, serving as a Worship Pastor, Creative Arts Pastor, Tech Pastor, Director of WorshipHouse Media and consultant to some of the largest and fastest-growing churches in the country. I’ve had the privilege and honor to consult with some amazing churches, including Outreach Magazine’s Fastest Growing Church in the Country last year (12 Stone in Atlanta). I’ve also consulted and helped churches where Lincoln Brewster, Shane and Shane, Desperation Band/Jon Egan and the lead singer for Building 429 were leading worship. So, I know and have seen worship and the arts done on a high level and I have a true appreciation for what a Worship Pastor does, as well as a heart for worship. I’m a worshiper and when you lead worship at our church, you will look down and see me worshiping and focused on God (not my notes). All that to say, if you want to work for someone that “gets it” – give me a shout.

For the rest of you: What questions do you ask when hiring a Worship Pastor? I have some thoughts, such as:

• What is your definition of worship?
• Describe what worship looks like and why it’s more that music.
• What does it mean to live a lifestyle of worship?
• Do you have a theology of worship?
• Do you have a personal mission statement?
• Explain your call to ministry.
• Explain your specific call to be a lead worshiper.
• Have you studied at a Bible college or seminary? (this can be both good and bad – as far as seminary)
• Do you have a good grasp of the Bible, theology and consider yourself to be of sound doctrine?
• We are a Southern Baptist church with a non-denominational feel (we don’t use “Baptist” in our name and brand ourselves as Forest Park) – however, are you baptistic in your beliefs and in agreement with Baptist doctrine? (This is important to both me and our Senior Pastor)
• Do you play an instrument? Do you lead from an instrument?
• The Bible instructs us to “play skillfully.” Do you work at your craft? Do you exercise your voice and practice your instrument daily?
• How often do you introduce a new song?
• Do you write any of your own songs?
• Do you arrange songs? Do you arrange old hymns and breathe new life into them occasionally? (We don’t do a lot of hymns)
• Can you chart out music for your band? Can you listen to a song on the radio or iTunes and chart it out by ear?
• What are some of your musical influences?
• What are you listening to in your car, office and iPod?
• Can you coach a band and get the most out of them?
• Do you know how to give professional musicians direction?
• Do you know how to give weak or poor musicians direction?
• What are some of your core or favorite songs these days?
• Who are some of your favorite Christian songwriters?
• Who are some of your favorite non-Christian songwriters?
• How familiar are you with media, tech (sound, video and lights)?
• Are you comfortable and competent recruiting and building a team of musicians?
• Are you comfortable and competent recruiting and building a tech team? (We have a Multi-site Tech Director that will train people you recruit. You just need to find them.)
• Flat out: Are you a team builder?
• Are you an equipper or a doer?
• Can you work hard and play hard?
• What are your hobbies?
• Do you have a sense of humor?
• Can you handle pranks?
• Are you engaging in worship and do you connect well with people from the stage?
• Do you engage and connect well with people off the stage?
• Can you administrate and schedule musicians and tech team members weekly?
• How far out do you plan?
• How would you describe your abilities when it comes to creative worship planning and brainstorming?
• Do you plan worship in solo or are you a part of a creative planning team?
• Are you more creative or administrative?
• Are you a people person?
• Are you in a small group?
• Could you lead a small group?
• Would you disciple your worship team and volunteers?
• Are you comfortable in a multi-site environment (most of our teaching is done via video)?
• Have you taken the StrengthsFinder2.0 test? If so, what are your top 5 strengths?
• What are you top 3 Spiritual Gifts?
• Are you looking to settle down and invest in a community for a long time? (This is important as we’ve had some turnover in the past and our church needs some consistent leadership)
• Have you read the book Simple Church? Are you familiar and comfortable with the “Simple Church” philosophy? At Forest Park, we worship, grow and serve – that’s it. No musicals, no Passion Plays, no choirs, no orchestras. SIMPLE.
• Are you passionate about reaching the lost?
• Are you comfortable with an externally-focused church?
• Read through the 3 Lost Parables in Luke 15 and share with me what you think God was trying to get across about His heart for the lost.
• Will you do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ?
• Are you a team player?
• Do you have a strong work ethic?
• Are you driven? What drives you?
• Are you an intentional and strategic leader? Explain.
• Do you have a mentor?
• Do you mentor anyone else?
• How long have you been leading worship?
• Do you get pure joy in leading people into the Presence of God?
• Are you a Mac or PC person?
• Do you use tracks?
• Are you comfortable playing with a click?
• Explain your struggle with pride. I ask because I’ve yet to meet a pastor (Worship Pastor or Senior Pastor) that doesn’t struggle at least a little at some point with pride.
• Do you struggle with porn?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• What would your wife say is a weakness for you?
• What are the last 3 books you read?
• Who are some of your favorite authors?
• Do you know who A.W. Tozer is? Have you read any of his work?
• Who are some of your favorite preachers?
• What’s your favorite movie?
• What’s your favorite sport?
• What makes you laugh?
• Who is the greatest boss you’ve ever had and why?
• What conferences do you go to?
• Who do you think are the leaders in design today (name companies that have a strong brand)?
• Who is your personal favorite worship leader?
• Why are you looking for a new church?

These are just the first questions that popped into my head. What are some questions you’d add? What did I miss? Help me out, friends.

More and more, churches are turning to staffing specialists to get the right people on the bus. Last month, two of the leading search firms in the church world united. The Vanderbloemen Search Group (specializing in large church executive searches) and Help Staff Me (specializing in mid-level staff) have combined their resources and expanded their networks of relationships.

I recently asked the head of the firm, William Vanderbloemen, “What’s the best way to get promoted?” Here’s his answer:

“The single best piece of advice I’ve heard for succeeding in work didn’t come from a textbook or an expert; – it came from a most unlikely place….a job interview.

I was conducting an interview a while back for a search. The candidate, who had a good job, and had no reason to leave his secure setting sat in front of me, and I asked him why we were meeting. His response:

“I love my job. This is a good church. But I want to be somewhere where my ideas and vision are celebrated, not just tolerated.”

That’s a great lens for thinking about how to succeed in your work environment. Do you celebrate your work, or just tolerate it?

The best employees I see, and also the ones who get the most promotions, are the ones who don’t just tolerate, they celebrate. They celebrate their boss, even when that boss is imperfect. They celebrate their job, even if it isn’t the dream post for their life. They celebrate their church members, even when they act like they really, really need a Savior.

Think of Joseph serving while in prison. Think of David serving as a shepherd. Think of this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.

“God doesn’t just tolerate you. He celebrates you.”

Try the same attitude at your work, and I bet you’ll be more productive, more appreciated, and likely promoted.

Follow William (@wvanderbloemen) and Justin Lathrop, founder of Helpstaff (@justinlathrop) on Twitter to receive regular pointers and insights on trends they see in the church world.

My friend, Dave Grumme, from Sugar Creek Baptist Church in Houston, TX is looking for a Creative Media Producer. This isn’t just any church, friends, this is the church that wins every film festival it enters. This team produces the finest media of any church in America. I was a judge at a film festival once where they won every category they entered, plus the they were the overall winner. Working with Dave will stretch you professionally and spiritually. If you are a talented media producer, I strongly encourage you to pray about this opportunity. Below is the job description from them:

Company: Sugar Creek Baptist Church
Job Title: Creative Media Producer
Description: The Creative Communications team at Sugar Creek Baptist Church is a highly creative and collaborative environment. We are a team of producers, directors, artists, designers, writers, programmers, technicians and musicians who are passionate about developing and executing shockingly beautiful, creative media to reach an audience who respond to spiritual concepts spoken in a visual language. We are currently seeking a full time Creative Media Producer to add to our team.

JOB SUMMARY:
The Creative Media Producer is a creative, energetic and organized team member with the ability to conceptualize, strategize, create and produce long and short form video projects, interactive media, and motion graphic designs. The primary focus of this position is to develop and produce creative media for our Student Ministry through individual ability and by building and leading a volunteer ministry.

This will involve:
Pre-production: concept meetings, script-writing, storyboarding, scheduling, and budgeting.
Production: Directing cast and crew, acquisition of video and audio, lighting and photography.
Post-production: logging, digitizing, editing, design, mixing, color correction, and output to various media formats.

The CMP is a devoted follower of Christ who maintains a life of spiritual development and accountability. The Creative Media Producer is a team player who exemplifies a positive “can do” attitude, creates and maintains a superior working environment and fosters an attitude of professional excellence.

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
A committed follower of Jesus Christ with a call to ministry work for the purpose of utilizing video production to impact our community and world for Christ.
One year of professional video production experience.
A pro-active work ethic including a self-motivated drive for quality and creativity.
Excellent project management skills and ability to multi-task several projects at the same time.
Flexibility to adapt to unforeseen circumstances and a strong commitment to meeting deadlines.
Extreme attention to detail and a passion for excellence in creative and technical production.
Strong creative abilities.
Experience and training in digital video production exhibited by a professional reel.
Experience and training in studio and field production including lighting, audio and camera work.
Experience and training in post-production work including non-linear editing, compositing, and motion graphic design.
Expert use of the following programs: Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, DVD Studio Pro, Keynote, Soundtrack, Motion and Compressor

APPLICATION:
Sugar Creek Baptist Church offers a competitive salary and benefits package. This position is based in Sugar Land, Texas (a suburb of Houston) and the successful candidate will need to live within commuting distance or relocate.

To Apply:
1. Email a cover letter and resume including salary requirements (PDF is preferred). Submissions will not be considered without salary requirements.
2. Email links to your on-line work samples with detailed information about your specific involvement.
3. Mail a non-returnable DVD of your work to the address below.

Sugar Creek Baptist Church
Attn. Pastor of CC
13333 Southwest Freeway Ste. 200
Sugar Land, TX 77478

My friends, Nelson Searcy and Jason Hatley, at The Journey Church in New York are looking for a Pastor of Media. This is an awesome team, an amazing church and a special ministry where God is moving in the “Big Apple”. I highly encourage my tech friends to pray about this opportunity.

Below is the job description:

Are you passionate about raising up volunteer leaders, directing the media area at one of the nation’s most innovative churches, and growing a production ministry in a multi-site setting?

Are you interested in expanding an already healthy volunteer base of over 35 team members (camera, lights, stage, switchers, editors, etc.) to a structure of over 100 volunteers?

Can you join with our worship arts staff to lead at a very high level, and bring creative and technical excellence to the Sunday service, to worship planning, and to cultivating highly experienced technicians in New York City?

Are you interested in helping a growing church continue to grow?

Do you have a high view ‘serving as part of discipleship’ and do you have a strong desire to reach unchurched young professionals and artists?

This is an equipping position to make a difference with the best and the brightest from around the world that make up the Journey Church in NYC.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
- A Solid Calling to New York City
- The ability to mobilize and lead a growing Media/Production Team in an ever-growing environment
- A passion for the Bible and innovation
- A team player
- A high level understanding of media, including contemporary/secular films, video editing systems, technical systems (lighting, staging, video, minimal sound)
- Bachelor or Masters Degree
- Ministry experience in a creative, fast-paced, results-driven environment a plus
- A positive attitude
- A familiarity with The Purpose Driven Church Model
- A risk taker
- A passion for media and the arts
- A passion and drive for evangelism and reaching the unchurched
- A high commitment to the local church

*If you have interest in this position, please email Jason at jason@journeymetro.com.

This past weekend we hosted our top candidate for the Audio Coordinator position at my church. He ran Front of House for rehearsal and all day Sunday. The weekend went great and we received a ton of comments on how much improved the sound was. His name is Tom and he also has a great heart and is going to be a welcomed addition to our staff. Yeah God!

Wednesday night, our top candidate for the Audio Coordinator position flew in. I was with him and in several meetings all day yesterday. He’ll be here all weekend and run Front of House on Sunday. Pray that God would give us wisdom and discernment.

EXTRA:

One of my favorite producers, SermonVideos.com, has a new and improved website. Check it out HERE!

BONUS:

If you or creative people you know are into video production, you might be interested in this…

WorshipMusic.com is hosting an “I Will Remember – Music Video” Contest

They are looking for a fresh and well done music video to go along with song track “I Will Remember”. The entry who wins gets a $500 shopping spree at WorshipMusic.com. All those creatives and filmmakers at your church can get the details and info HERE.

The contest runs during the month of Sept., so its “go time” if you’re interested.

EXTRA, EXTRA:

Collide Magazine ships today. This is THE new magazine for those involved in ministry and media. If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can HERE.

My friend and co-host of our podcast, Anthony Coppedge, is now helping churches find qualified technical staff. I know there’s a great need for this because I get asked by pastors all the time who are looking for tech staff. This service is of no cost to you. Check it out HERE.

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

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?

The wonderful folks at Passion, including Louie Giglio, have released a special EP to encourage and minister to anyone affected by the events at Virginia Tech and for anyone just searching for hope in this world. To download the songs of hope, go HERE.

EXTRA:

The folks who you brought you Church Marketing Sucks and the Church Marketing Lab can now help you get a job or fill an opening. CFCC is now helping to connect churches and creative professionals with the launch of their job posting sites, the Job Lab and the Freelance Lab. Churches can post listings for full-time job openings as well as freelance projects and creative professionals who want to help the church can find the job or project to make that dream happen.

For a limited time postings are FREE while they bulk up the listings and work out any kinks. Check out the sites and spread the word. For more Center for Church Communication news visit their web site.