Trinity's Online Ministry: Behind the Scenes | Trinity Talks Podcast

Hello, everybody. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. How's it going? This is good.

This is a great morning. I'm really glad to have Alex and Christine and Pradeep with me

today. This is Trinity's media team joining us today for Trinity Talks. And we're going

to be talking about media in ministry. Say that three times fast. So you're not wanting

to try. OK. No, this is going to be really exciting. So how are you guys doing on this

Family Day weekend? Wonderful. Great. All right. I know that even when we're here on a Sunday,

it breaks up our Family Day weekend. Do you guys have any plans for these three days?

I have some cousins in Uxbridge, so a bit of a drive from where I'm at now, but go hang

out with some family there. Nice. Yeah, relax. Family on Family Day. Relax. Hang out with

family. Yeah. So say my wife is not here. She's traveling. So I'm here with my kids

and with some of my cousins. We may get together tomorrow. Nice. So family on Family Day. Actually,

I've got a bowling party planned with my parents and my kids too. Yeah, we're going to go do

that tomorrow. It's kind of our Family Day tradition. Well, I'm happy you're here with

me today because we are going to be talking all about the importance really of media in

ministry. And some people who may be watching or listening are really familiar with media

and understand and know all about it. But there's probably a lot of people too who don't

know as much about media and maybe even just the importance of the camera work and the

sound and everything that goes into the media here at Trinity and even the why behind it.

So I'm hoping we can really dive into that today. Now, media has evolved here at Trinity

too. I mean, for my time, I've seen a big change in the way we reach and communicate

through our videos and through our socials. And I know that it's still ever evolving.

So Alex, first of all, you're our media director here. So you know what's going on. Can you

let us know what is media ministry at Trinity? I think, I don't know, the best way to describe

it right now, I think, is like bringing our ministry here at Trinity outside of the four

walls, I think. And media just really allows us to get past the restraints of a building

and share that around the world. We have people all over that have been tuning in for a bit

and we hope to get more. And yeah, a lot about accessibility too. Some people, if they're

not around, miss out on the area, if they can't get out, and just reaching a younger

audience, that's online as well.

So so much actually, there's a lot in there. So you come in on a Sunday morning, Alex,

and you arrive about an hour or two before church starts. So what does a Sunday morning

look like for you? And I'm asking this question because you're here on a Sunday morning. We

often see Libby, we see Rob, we see a lot of our volunteers, but you're kind of hidden

away in our media booth. And a lot of people probably don't see you and see the behind

the scenes. We're going to talk to some of our volunteers as well about that. But what

does it look like for you? Because you're busy. There's a lot going on.

I think, I don't know, a lot of it, I mean, in media in general, a lot of it is problem

solving for the most part. And that's the one constant is that there's something that's

going to happen that you got to fix. So putting out fires is a lot of it. So ideally, you

don't notice things. I'm not going to point out. But if you're a keen eyed listener and

watcher here, there's a mistake that happened earlier in the service. Can you find it? Oh,

all right. You're tuning in bright and early. But yeah, so I come in, I got to make sure

all like the studio here is all set up, got to put mics in, make sure the cables are good,

set up cameras. Lots of cameras get set up in the sanctuary, cables, all that whole thing.

Then we got to make sure and test it and actually make sure it's actually going. Sometimes it's

been had in the past where, you know, cables left unplugged and then you try to go that

shot and it's not there. So trying out those preparing for the service is like really important

that aspect. And then also kind of talking to the volunteers, making sure everybody knows

what they're doing. If we need to change some things up, like today, we have two camera

operators. Usually we have three. So it's kind of like shuffling around who goes where

and it's kind of like managing that from the back. And then, yeah, that's a lot during

the service, though. I'm up switching usually. So right now we have someone else that's doing

the switching. This is a interesting coordinating that had to get done here to make this happen.

I'm glad I could be here on the other side of the camera today. So we need someone else

there. So shout out to Jamie. Yeah. Yeah. So it's great to have people that are being

trained and we have another switcher in our midst over here. And yeah, so a lot of that's

during the service, a lot of switching, making sure everything you see online, all those

cameras have to be switched, overseeing the audio, everything has to be working well for

that. Well, it's well done. And I just want to say that recent survey I sent out to a

lot of our online viewers, I got some feedback from a lot of people. And one thing that was

sort of consistent from a lot of people was that they really feel immersed in the Sunday

morning experience because of the camera work. And all three of you have done camera work.

And I think that's really important. And so thank you for that. But what I'm wondering

is led you to this role here at Trinity. See, it's interesting actually, because like this

role didn't really exist not that long ago. So pretty much COVID got a lot of churches

online. And so I was already in the sphere, I was finishing up my school. I was doing

some part time editing for a church downtown. And then when Rob came to this church, he

knew me from there and pulled me in, started doing some stuff there. And then the role

of like media director at a church is now a thing. And then so I was brought on full

time. So I just enjoy being able to use a variety of my skills in this in this work

environment where like it's not just video, not just photo, but it's graphic design and

audio and and just having that opportunity to have a real purpose to it. A lot of times

with with video, like I've done lots of freelance video stuff. It's great. I love covering events

and like weddings and stuff. But it's nice to have like a big purpose and have a lot

of people benefit from this. I don't know. It feels it feels good to be in that position.

That's great. That's great. Now, Christine, you, unlike Alex, you're not here employed.

You come in as a volunteer on Sunday mornings. You're one of our more recent volunteers to

the media team. So what brought you into wanting to help out on a Sunday morning in this way?

So I joined in the fall of twenty twenty three. So I've been here about half a year on the

team and the church was looking to expand to two services. So they were looking for

additional volunteers and we did that expansion in November. So it's just growing with the

ministry of the church and it's wonderful to be here. Yeah. We're glad to have you on

the team. You do a great job. And Pradeep yourself, you've been on the team for a little

bit longer than six months, I believe. Yeah, I've been here since the beginning. I think

I like I'm sent out for volunteers. Yeah, I signed up. All right. Actually, Alex and

I were talking about that just a few minutes before the show started and we were trying

to remember when the beginning was. When do you know a couple of years ago? At least two

years. Yeah. Twenty twenty three. Yeah. All right. So a few years ago. And what led you

to want to come and help out in this ministry on a Sunday morning? One is to serve God.

Another thing is to I think it gave me it gives me an opportunity to get myself more

involved with the church, the church activities. Otherwise, you just come in, listen to the

sermon and go home and have a cup of coffee. But this is you're more involved with the

church. Yeah. So it gets to, you know, allows you to grow. So what I'm hearing is through

connecting other people to Trinity, you're finding connection as well. Yes, definitely.

All right. So I actually wanted to talk a little bit about some biblical foundational

reasons for the importance of media ministry as well. And when I was going through some

some scripture quotes, I found a few that stood out to me that I thought really spoke

to the need and the importance of media and communication in general in this way. So I'm

just going to go through a few different biblical quotes. I mean, we can talk together about

unpacking how media applies to those actual scriptures. So the first one I have is from

Romans and it's Romans 10, 24 to 25. And Paul writes, And let us consider how to stir up

one another to love and do good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit

of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

So I hear the word stir up. So in what way does media help us as biblically instructed

to continue to meet together and spur one another on in love? I think I don't know.

One of the things that came to mind with that kind of like stirring up is that a lot of

our time now, especially younger generations do, but everybody's time now is spent online.

And so we're constantly engaging with the content and whatnot. And so if we need to

have that sort of place in there, we're kind of stir up the conversation and we provide

the message to the people as a part of their routine online. So we need to be there to

just give that input and just share the message that way.

Yeah. So, so many people, including myself, we leave this place after Sunday and we're

so encouraged and so rejuvenated. And we just want to spread that to as many people who

will hear it. And those who can't be here today or any other Sunday, they want to see

what they missed and hear the specific biblical teaching that we can use in our daily life.

So many people are looking for peace and joy. And if you are here listening online or coming

in person, you can get that. And that's just so exciting.

It is. It really is. One thing I'm not sure you know, we do have a podcast, so this is

taken and put on audio into the podcast. And we have listeners across the world who download

our podcast. I love that's one thing I love is looking at where this word is spreading.

So we've got countries in Europe and Asia and Africa that have all downloaded our content,

which is great. Absolutely.

For me, you know, like, right, every week we have a small group, you get together and

discuss the sermon sometimes, you know, like when you're when you missed a service or,

you know, probably you didn't catch it, you can always go back and go through that. And

also, we when we discuss the topic, the sermon and the previous service, it can sometimes,

you know, it helps us to go back and check and reflect on it.

So yeah, that's a really good point. We do. Like you said, we keep all of our live streams

up online. We also just have the sermon itself on YouTube. So if that is something you want

to go back and listen to again, it's there's that's actually quite easy to do that through

YouTube now. So I've done it before myself. Likewise.

And we're almost at a thousand subscribers. So if you're out there, you should hit the

subscribe button. I've always wanted to say that. Smash that subscribe. My kids say. So

another scriptural passage is at the end of the gospel. Let's go with Matthew. We have

to find the Great Commission and Jesus commands his disciples to go out and make disciples

of all men. And how in media are we living out that Great Commission? I mean, that's

a that feels kind of weighty when we say that. But how can our media here at Trinity really

help Trinity to live out that Great Commission? I mean, I think because we have access to

the resources that allow us to do this, like we're obligated to bring that message online

as well. And like it's such a big role now to where even if you're church shopping, you're

going around, a lot of people will check online. So having that access where it's easier to

find a place that resonates with you is kind of important. You want to be able to feel

welcomed. And that's one of the first things I felt when I came here. I felt like super

welcomed by everybody. And I think whatever makes it easier to find a community that you

resonate with is really important.

Yeah. Again, this place just brings me so much joy. And sometimes I'm talking to a friend

or a relative and they're going through something and I have something in my back pocket, which

is the sermon. And I can forward it to them and say, listen to this. You need this. This

will help you. So. So it's a tool beyond a Sunday morning.

And it's, you know, though, even though I don't directly, I'm not communicating, but

I'm kind of facilitating it. Right. So that kind of, it becomes part of, makes me part

of that process.

Absolutely. And it really is true, which leads me to my last scriptural point here is in

first Corinthians 27, Paul explains that we are all the body of Christ. So everyone has

a role to play in the greater church and in the greater body of Christ. So like you said,

you may not be on the screen delivering the message, but you have a role to play in how

that message is delivered.

Yes, indeed.

Yeah. So how do you see yourselves fitting into that larger body through media ministry?

Consider your gifts. I think this is a time to, well, one thing, Christine, I know you

mentioned that you work in art.

I do.

Right. So you don't work necessarily in media, but you have an artistic eye.

I love taking that perfect picture. And if we're just outside of the church, if we're

doing something as a family or friends, I'm always a little bit, I was taking pictures

in there, just like send it to me.

So you have that, you have that special gift is getting a good, good shot.

And very quick learner, might I say, and you're to try so many roles. It's actually amazing

to have such great volunteers.

Yeah. It's fun to learn what I don't know. Absolutely. And Alex is a great teacher.

Not everybody has that too. A lot of people can be scared away. So if you ever feel like

I can do this thing, it's, I don't know, I feel like it's, it's fulfilling to be able

to use those gifts, knowing that you're in a position that's kind of special and not

everybody has those. So it's, it's nice to, to be able to use those for.

What do you think you bring to this pretty? I don't know. I know commitment is one because

to have a volunteer at a church is, you know, committed to one ministry for this long is

a beautiful gift in itself.

Like I said, you know, it gives me, I don't know, I think it gives me a push to be come

to this church, you know, like be involved. And it can, it's like Alex, it is fulfilling,

you know? Yeah. Yeah.

It's well needed. I'm glad. I always count on Pradeep to come in whenever we need. So,

yeah.

And so, and Alex for yourself, so how, how do your passions and your expertise even contribute

to this ministry here?

I mean, I just feel like the talents are kind of well used in this environment, I think,

right? Like for the time that I'm going to be here, it's really great to have that opportunity.

There's so many different roles here that need tending to, and it's, I like being in

that position where I can learn myself, but also offer up that final product and, or we've

been talking about too, just like, yeah, what's online, being a part of that process, it's,

I don't know, I enjoy that. So, yeah.

Nice. Nice. And I think we'd be amiss, guys. We are talking about media, media and ministry,

but media extends beyond the church, guys, right? So I just need to ask you a question

about your, some of your favorite pieces of media that you have had throughout the year.

They didn't know I was going to ask this question, but I'm going to, I just think it may be fun

for the audience to learn a little bit about you and some of your favorites when I'm going

to ask them. So in terms of movies, do you guys have a favorite movie that you, well,

let's, you watch? Which one do you go back to time? They're thinking about it. I'll tell

you mine's Titanic. Titanic. I can't get enough.

The movie changes like all the time. I think like, like I hadn't watched for whatever reason.

I hadn't watched Narnia in forever. And then the other day I was like, oh, I could just

watch Narnia. And I was like, wow, I totally forgot that I actually love these movies.

So yeah, but it definitely changes based on what I'm just like basically binging at that

point. Right. Okay.

For me, yeah, like, like I said, you know, it, it kind of changes depending on the mood,

depending on the circumstance. But one thing that is kind of being constant is like the

Christmas movies, you know, like Home Alone. That's a good laugh to watch with a family.

It's a good laugh. It's true. What about you, Christine? I see you deep in thought.

Yeah. Cause I can't remember the name of the movie that I just watched. It's not one that

I watched over and over again, but my husband told me you would really like this and you,

you should watch it. And it was a movie about a football player who, do you know it?

I forget the name, but I'm sure I've seen it. I'm sensing some telepathy here because

there are several football player movies out there. So yeah, he's one who just had life

struggles and the blind side. No, no, no. It's not the blind side. No. Oh, that's when

you were thinking about anyways. Oh, all right. Well, we'll come up with it and we're going

to post it on our, on our, on our feed underneath the YouTube. So we'll come up with it once

Christine comes up with it. I definitely watch more TV shows. All right. So what's your favorite

TV show guys? For me, it would have to be Breaking Bad. The whole thing was just so

well done. It's incredible. The detail there, like every aspect of that show was just so

well thought out storylines. Insane. I might actually agree with you. That's probably one

of my all time favorites. And did you ever do the, uh, Better Call Saul? Yeah. Watch

Better Call Saul, El Camino. Get it all done. They're all great. Yeah. Definitely a binge

worthy show for sure. Dangerously binge worthy. Well done. Yeah, it's good. Do you guys have

any favorites? TV shows? I don't watch that many TV shows. I watch more of the YouTube

videos, things like that. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Like I like to watch comedy. So, but I'm from

like old school. I don't know about a show called According to Jim. I don't know that

one. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Well, we'll put a link to According to Jim on the bottom of

the speed as well. Well, I just wanted to say thank you to all three of you for joining

me and actually coming in front of the camera instead of being behind the camera. I hope

to actually have you in front of the camera again sometime because it's been a pleasure.

It's wild to be actually in the studio right now after all the setup it's taken to get

here. It's, it's been a long road, but here we are. And it's, it's, uh, I know it's just

the beginning of something even bigger and better. Yeah. So thank you to everyone who

watched and who hopefully learned a little bit more about the media ministry here at

Trinity.