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In the fall of 2008, Heath Jones, Rob Heywood, Bren Letson and Mac Pirkle began formulating a plan for creating a Multi-Media Ministry at West End. The team presented our results to the Ministry Support Area on February 19 and then to the Ministry Table on March 10.

The purpose of this Multi-Media Ministry is to integrate photography, video, audio, music, visual arts, computers and other technology into the efforts at West End to live out our Vision and Mission.

As congregants, we really connect to each other’s stories – the unique journeys that each of us takes to arrive at this time and place. Collectively these stories are our church.

These stories transform us. We are amazed and inspired by each other. We see things in others that change us, and we reveal parts of ourselves that were hidden away.

By sharing our stories, we live into our Vision to be the Loving Light of Christ: Connecting to each other and transforming each other.

Not just those who are part of the West End congregation, not just those who believe the same things we do, but all of us are transformed by the stories of each other’s lives: the neighborhood, our friends, visitors to our website, and visitors to our front door.

Anyone who is curious, anyone who wants to know, benefits.

Because of the creativity associated with multi-media applications and expressions, a Multi-Media Ministry must be multifaceted. Archival records, creative expression, information dissemination, and education are necessary components to this ministry.

The use of multi-media demands forethought and intentionality, and using multi-media as a ministry tool presents the challenge of how to make the tools available to as many creative members of the church as possible, and to others who want to observe and participate.

Additionally, we need to be good stewards. Knowing we can’t do everything, we need a process to help us determine a realistic number of meaningful projects.

In today’s world, multi-media platforms and applications are as advanced as current technology will allow. Multi-media technology at West End is very limited, so we begin exploring a multi-media ministry with precious few resources.

The Ministry Support Team and Ministry Table enthusiastically supported the plan outlined a document presented to them. The plan calls for creating a larger multi-media team and executing a few core activities in the remaining months of 2009.

The first task of the new Multi-Media Ministry team is to expand its numbers. Team members are seeking interested and passionate candidates. Primary responsibilities are:

• oversight of the new ministry’s activities;
• review of multi-media proposals from church members;
• promotion of multi-media projects at West End;
• planning and coordination of training for multi-media projects; and,
• leadership and volunteer work on various multi-media projects.

Here is the plan outline for the next six months:

• Expand the Multimedia Team by adding 10 members.
• Establish the process for doing projects.
• Create the “Film Christ” – a multi-media project with the youth.
• Videotape a sermon series with senior minister Dr. David Lowes Watson.
• Educate the church about the Multi-Media Ministry.
• Upgrade current storage in the Multimedia Center.
• Set up dedicated media cart in Reed Hall.
• Implement training for uploading photos, archiving video interviews, creating Power Point, and video basics.
• Request staff assistance from a staff person excited about this ministry.

Are you willing to serve? Then call Mac Pirkle at 585-1397 or e-mail mac@ep-video.com.