I love working in my studio producing music–taking a song from conception to completion. I also enjoy it when my songs make their way onto other people’s recordings. I equally love to produce my own projects every couple of years. Gary Sadler and I are getting real close to completing a project that we have been working on for some time. People often call on me to produce their projects for them. When in the negotiation stage of a project, I try to communicate to the client a very simple concept. It is applicable in a host of other industries and helps to illustrate three aspects of the production process.

I use a triangle to show the distinctions between quality, time and money. Most clients have a limited budget to put toward the end result they desire. Some have a very short turnaround time for which they need it done. Everyone, of course, wants quality. My theory is you can have only two sides of that triangle, not all three. You can have quality with little money and the turnaround time will suffer. You can get it cheap and fast but the quality will suffer. And the point I end up making to most clients: you can have quality in a quick manner, but its gonna cost you!

Quality is always a premium in any economy. Excellent work is my best calling card. This quote says it all in a nutshell:

Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence. ~Author Unknown

The ability to create a purpose-filled worship experience on a weekly basis is a skill that is lacking in many church leadership teams. Just because one has an excellent preacher, a great band, a talented group of singers, an able technical crew, an expensive sound and video system, and a beautiful, spacious facility, doesn’t guarantee that the ultimate goal of the service will be fully accomplished. The way by which we facilitate worship each week might vary with musical style, liturgy or ability, but it is probably agreed that the goal is not simply to wow people with a great production. Rather, our aim should be to help facilitate a one-on-one encounter between the participant and God; what happens on campus between the participant’s arrival and departure must be scrutinized and adjusted for maximum impact to allow a seamless, uninterrupted flow in the worship experience.

Whichever team or person that has the responsibility of designing the worship journey each week should ask these simple questions: 1) Who is my audience? 2) When does the participant’s journey begin and end? 3) What is the big idea? 4)How much time do I have to accomplish the big idea? 4) How do I flow between each piece seamlessly? 5) Do I have the infrastructure, the teams, the resources, the preparation time, etc., to accomplish this initiative? 6) Does each team leader have clear instructions and deadlines to adequately bring quality results in a timely fashion?

I can hear a collective laugh and then hear many say, “What kind of fantasy land are you describing? My church could never accomplish this structure, planning, or delivery!” The point in this installment of Creating Great Moments In Worship is that an effective team, along with the empowering of the Holy Spirit, is the source from which an effective weekly worship journey is accomplished; it cannot happen all by itself or through just one person–it MUST be realized through a team effort.

Here are some tips for choosing team members that will help accomplish your goals:

First, don’t look for the perfect person–they don’t exist! Rather search for promising team members–they may be musical, technical, or administrative–but their basic ability, willingness to learn and serve in a volunteer capacity are the primary requirements. (In the case of volunteers who will be working with children from newborn to college, it is imperative to acquire a background check; a church or organization at any stage of growth must prioritize the safety of children).

Second, know your limitations and look for people who will compliment your team with skills you may not possess.

Third, have a weekly production meeting with all of the leaders, sitting at one table, going over the necessary production details. The agenda each week may consist of a critique of last week’s service (celebrate, too!), discussing this week’s service, and future services that may need early attention like Easter, Christmas, special services, etc. It is important that each aspect of the service be discussed with the group, and that there be consensus, since unnecessary surprises should be avoided. The pastor, administrative leader, or the worship leader may oversee this weekly production meeting…just make it a priority to have one!

Even a small church of 100 members or less can implement structure and a leadership team that will enhance the simplest production. I can almost guarantee that, if some of these suggestions are heeded, your people will have a greater experience in worship, and you will probably begin to see an increase in attendance as well.

Look for Creating Great Moments in Leadership, Part 3, in the coming weeks. For questions, comments, suggestions or for information on how Jamie can assist you and your church, please send a note to : jamie@jamieharvill.com

Brenda and I came out of hibernation New Years Day to do some shopping; the Christmas cash and gift cards were burning a hole in our pockets. So, as I have been looking for a vintage pair of boots, we made our way into a local shoe repair to see if they had any unclaimed items for sale. In broken English, the man asked for my shoe size. He thought for a moment, turned and disappeared into the back room. Surprisingly, he returned with two pairs of  black, well-worn, re-soled western boots and plopped them down on the counter. He mumbled more indiscernible English words mingled with Chinese and handed me the first pair. The size said 9 1/2 on the inside but, forcing my foot into the top, I knew it would end up being a losing battle. So I traded those for the second pair. The tops were like glove leather, crumpled over after years of use, and the full quill ostrich uppers were pristine. I knew this pair would be a steal–probably retailing for around $400, new–and the beautiful thing was…they fit! The shop owner slurred, “Sevendee dolla!”

I wasn’t going to fall for the first offer (he needed to recover his costs but I know that the labor was negotiable), so I offered forty bucks. Acting insulted, he clear the boots from the counter and waved us away saying, “You waste my time–I not work, when talk to you!” We were just about to walk out empty-handed when he motioned us back to the counter (my newly acquired bargaining skills from watching American Pickers had prevailed!). Sarcastically, I shot back with, “I thought I was wasting your time…” Eying a worthy opponent he returned, “Fifty dolla?” I told him he had a deal and I handed over my debit card. Brenda reached to take the boots from the counter and out from the pull-straps fell a folded claim ticket with the name of the original owner. When she saw who it was, she elbowed me. I looked down, and it was one of my favorite guitar players of all time. I was just listening to his music the day before, and today I have his boots!

I walked out of there with a pair of killer, vintage Tony Lamas and a promise for a great 2011. I knew it was a nod from God as if He said, “I’ve got some great things in store for you this year, Jamie.” I take it as a blessing and a challenge. I certainly have some big shoes to fill!