FIRST IN LAST OUT
IT’ S WORTH IT( FROM THE FILO BLOG ARCHIVES) | Todd Elliott
I gave an interview for a local magazine years ago. It was a local magazine highlighting local businesses, and they were interested in knowing more about the Global Leadership Summit, hosted every year at Willow Creek Church. They wanted to talk to me about the technology involved to pull off a live broadcast event for North America, and then how we rebroadcast it to people around the world.
Sitting in front of the blank page of this blog, already worn out from the stress of the Easter production coming up, a question from this interview popped into my head. I’ m not sure if they asked the question or if I just started talking about it, but the idea of“ Why do you do this?” came up. Hopefully, the answer I gave will help remind you and me why being worn out from Easter matters.
I could do production almost anywhere, for any reason. Many of the people I work with do some freelance side work, and it is generally corporate meetings or product launches. At the end of the day, these meetings are all about making more money for shareholders. The side work is helpful for a couple of reasons. One is that it helps to earn some extra money for individuals from time to time. The other reason is that it is a great reminder of the privilege it is to work for a purpose greater than shareholder value.
As you live out the run-up to Easter, remember that we get to do this! You can work your butt off and be just as tired as you feel now, all so a company can make more money, or you can do it all so that people can hear the gospel message.
Whether you are on staff at your church or a volunteer, you are investing your time for the sake of people.
[ Pause. Think about that.]
Lives will be changed forever by your efforts this week and next.
[ Pause. Picture someone you know.]
All those long hours you are putting in or will put in, are for the sake of those who are far from God and will hear of his love for possibly the first time.
[ Pause. Let this thought help you to the finish line.]
In case you don’ t hear it from anyone else,“ Well done. Way to go.”
[ Pause. Believe it.]
Interested in joining a community of other technical artists trying to create healthy environments where we can work together, encourage each other, and help us all thrive in this church production life? Join the Community!
Todd Elliott Todd is a writer, speaker, technical artist in the local church and the Founder & President of FILO, which stands for First In, Last Out. FILO was born out of his own need as a technical artist in the local church to be in community with other church tech people, to learn new ways of doing things and to be inspired that what he did mattered. The more FILO-type people he met, the more convinced he was that these are things we all need. That’ s why FILO exists: to equip, encourage and inspire technical artists in the local church to become the best version of ourselves. Formerly the Technical Arts Director at Willow Creek Community Church, he started FILO in 2015 to help other technical artists become more effective so that the local church can be more effective.
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