The Preparation "H" of Media Ministry

I was having a conversation with a couple people today about the frustration in getting some pastors to prepare and plan ahead. There is always one reason or another as to why they "can't" plan ahead.

But their inability to plan becomes your discomfort when they expect you to pull a rabbit out of your hat. You battle yourself. Are you letting them down? Could you have done something different? Will you loose your job if you say you can not complete the job by the deadline? Where do you draw the line?


Now I'm going to be very blunt about this. 90% of all pastors can not and will not ever plan ahead when it comes to the Sunday worship service. Their idea of planning ahead is getting you the sermon notes on Friday afternoon instead of Saturday morning. Or ask you to make a video on Thursday for the upcoming Sunday service. Essentially their lack or preparation becomes the pain in your (clearing throat) backside. It hurts like crazy, but they promise to get ahead of the game for you. So you bite your tongue, apologize to your family for abandoning them, and do what it takes to get the job done. Then next week or a few weeks later, the same thing happens all over again. Your family becomes more frustrated with you, and begin to doubt the Christian values of the pastors (after all doesn't family come after God, but before job.) The exception becomes the rule.

Media is a wonderful tool to help minister the Word of God. But the reality is, media does not happen over night. At least not good media. And if it is not good, then it becomes a distraction.

These truths were so vividly presented to me a few years back by Anthony Coppedge who introduced me to the Reality Triangle. If pastors actually took the time to look at what they are doing to their staff by not planning. And how they are short changing their congregation, they would be appalled.


I believe that most pastors are trying their best. They are just afraid to take the recommendations of someone who may not have the bible school or seminary education, but does know what it takes from a media standpoint to put on a 1 1/2 hour service twice a week, 52 weeks a year.

The reality is that most of our pastors are still trying to teach as though it is 1949. Even if they have only been in the ministry for the last 10-20 years. One pastor every week...a couple hundred people..no outside distraction. That is not the reality of a church in 2007 that employs anyone for media purposes.

So pastors, I plead with you to plan ahead. Plan your messages out in advance. The Spirit can still give you changes in the days before, but by being ahead of the game, the media ministry can help support you with unparalleled ability. I realize that the message is not the only thing you are responsible for. But it is the single most important ministry you will perform each and every week. Help us media folk help you.

Otherwise we are going to have to stock up on Preparation "H".