Today, I asked a question to which you'd think I should have known the answer, but I didn't. At the point of needing to know, what were my options? I could either pretend and hack my way through a situation, wasting time (and maybe money), or simply admit that I don't know everything and swallow my pride. So I asked, and I got the answer. We've all been there, right?!
October 2012 marked 21 years of business in Columbus, Ohio. In that time, we have worked with thousands of people on just as many audio, video, and/or lighting projects. Our team has between 8-35 years of experience, and I learn something new every day. I often joke with our clients who work as solo pastors that "they don't teach 'this stuff' in seminary." And they don't. Off and on over the years, I've been approached about teaching a technology class at one of the local seminaries, but despite the fact that I think that it would be a practical course, it hasn't panned out.
Thankfully, we're good at some of those things that either weren't taught in seminary, or that you've never done. What's the proper way to solder a microphone cable? Should I try to fix a microphone cable? What type of earset microphone would work best? How do I decide whether it's 'worth it' to buy the more expensive microphone? Why shoiuld I pay more for an SM58 than a PG58, since they look the same? How do you connect a DVD player to a video projector? What does it mean to 'pull wire'? Why is there a hum in my system after the electrician installed that new lighting fixture? What's the best way to install a speaker? What can I do to make my sound system sound better? Why is there a purple spot on the screen? Can I hook up a 70V speaker that that amplifier? What is a 70V speaker? How far away do I need to hang the projector from the screen? Do I really know how to safely hang the projector, or should I pay someone to make sure that it's done correctly?
Being a church staff person – whether a pastor, worship staff, or a tech director – is tough. You need to have a very broad skill set. Along the lines of technology, in addition to needing to know answers to the quesitons above, there's also management of volunteers and projects, set design, audio recording, preparing sermon notes for the projector, volunteer training, and the list goes on, and on.
You have a job to do, and by answering your questions and providing the right solutions, we can help you do what you do best. After 21 years here, I still learn new things every day. If I can help you do the same, my day is complete, so ask the question!