What is Our Purpose?

One of the most critical and often forgotten elements in any endeavor or quest, is the understanding of clear direction or purpose. Without this key element, the focus of what we do or why we do it can be confusing or even lost. The church's direction and purpose is clearly given to us in the Bible. What about the Tech Team? Is it important for us to have clear direction and purpose? The answer is obviously yes!

Regardless of the size of your team, whether you're going it alone or are part of a large team, a statement of purpose is a must. The need for such a statement is especially important for techs. This is because we have a tendency to focus on the hardware and its operation instead of why we are serving. By the way, I don't recommend "going it alone". The size of the smallest team should be at least two, if only to allow time for each one to rest and worship.

The purpose statement keeps us focused on why we do what we do. It can be reviewed as conflicts arise (often caused by major production stress) and serves as a tool to get us refocused.

This statement should be a formal document, developed by the team, and should include three basic elements: a single statement of purpose, statements of direction, and finally a biblical basis for ministry.

To help you develop your own statement of purpose, I would like to provide an example of such a document.

Statement of Purpose

The Technical Ministries Team exists for one purpose: to invest ourselves in a ministry that will directly support and reinforce anything and everything that goes forth from this church that requires the support of lighting, audio, video, graphics, or any other form of technical or stage support, in a manner that is pleasing to God, and will provide for a better reception and understanding by all those who are touched by our efforts.

Statements of Direction

• We are to encourage and support other members of the team and those whom we serve through our technical gifts.
• We are committed to being professional in our craft, in the execution of our skills and our relationships with others.
• We are to submit to each other and to our leadership, out of respect for each other as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
• We are responsible, individually and as a team, for our technical and spiritual development through study and commitment.
• We are to build up one another, and have the responsibility of eliminating any word or action that in not constructive to our team.

Biblical Basis

As we serve, we embrace the scripture "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain

conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should

look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

Once you have written and adopted your own statement of purpose, print it on a large sheet of paper, have everyone on the Tech Team sign it, and post it for all to see so that it can be looked back upon when needed. Without such a reminder we can lose focus on what we do and why we do it.

It is the skills that God has given us that allow us to do what we do. It is the statement of purpose that keeps us focused on how and why we do it. I would encourage all Tech Teams consider the adoption of such a document, review it regularly, and keep it at the center of their ministry.