In the two years we’ve been in the theater, we’ve learned little by little how to make life easier on our volunteers. We want people to serve passionately and to work outside of thei comfort zones. But, we don’t want them to do unnecessary work. We value excellence. But, we also value efficiency.
Every week during staff meeting, we talk about how to make our Sunday systems better, easier, and more efficient. In a portable venue, we have learned and continue to learn these things:
- If at all possible, put wheels on it.
- If at all possible, put it in a box.
- If at all possible, store it in order and close to its final destination.
- If at all possible, remove barriers to the flow. Eliminate the log jams.
- If at all possible, reduce the number of footsteps.
- If at all possible, leave a diagram, take a picture, or write on it.
- If at all possible, eliminate it. Being portable reminds you to be simple.
- If at all possible, don’t make people guess.
- If at all possible, install it. While you’re portable, you still may be able to eliminate setup by doing limited installations. We’ve installed some sound equipment and all lighting thus eliminating hundreds and hundreds of man hours in setup and tear down.
Raising the level of efficiency has honored our numbers of volunteers, multiplied them, and multiplied their effectiveness by freeing them up to better serve. If you’re in a portable setup, what are some of the things you’ve done that has increased your efficiency and has helped you to be more excellent at the same time? What are some things that you think can be done…that you/we haven’t gotten to yet?
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I remember when we started at the theater and all those stage pieces had to be hauled in each week, unloaded from the trailer, and set up. That was after the sound system, subwoofers, and speakers were hauled in and set up. Oh yea, that was after the lighting was carried in and set up, and the environments up front and kid’s life things. What a big difference. That mostly rested on the band, you (pastor travis), pastor jt (my dad), david crowley, dan bard, and/or anyone else who we could muster. Simple is good!
LOL. On top of all that stuff, we were so broke, we couldn’t afford to get appropriate equipment to rack the stuff. So, we carried it like a bunch of mules or camels (depending on your personality).
I agree with all of it. We had church in a tent for 1 1/2 years. Granted, the tent was on the church grounds, but we had to haul everything over from the building every week, and back after service. WOW, am I glad we are in our building now!!