FIRST IN LAST OUT
IT ’ S CHRISTMAS TIME ! | Todd Elliott
It ’ s Christmas time !
Rehearsals . Christmas parties . Rehearsals .
Christmas shopping . Rehearsals . Baking cookies .
Did I mention rehearsals ?
For most of our churches , Christmas is a time when those who wouldn ’ t normally be at church are coming through our doors . As a result , there is a lot of pressure to make things amazing for these new people . We want to be at our best , but often we are so drained . We don ’ t stand a chance .
Just like the Apple watch reminds us to “ breathe ”, I would recommend something similar .
Stop and remember why you decided to get involved doing production in the local church in the first place .
Stop and remember that God came in the form of a man to set you free . Not just the new people coming through the door .
Stop and remember that God wants to be continually making you new . Not to have you driven into the ground just for the sake of Christmas .
What you do is vitally important to the body of Christ that you are a part of . Nail it ! Do your best ! Embrace being “ First In , Last Out ” because that ’ s who God created you to be !
I was reading Mary ’ s song this morning , found in Luke chapter 1 . Here is someone who God chose to use in an unlikely way . May your perspective and your prayer this Christmas season be similar to hers , “ My soul glorifies the Lord , and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior , for He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant ”.
Todd Elliott Todd is a
writer , speaker , technical artist in the local church and founder 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 . In his free time , he enjoys being inspired by Winston Churchill speeches and visiting the gravesites of U . S . presidents . Residing near Chicago , he and his wife Bissy have three kids and a dog ... none of whom are into production . filo . org