You’ve Been Given A Platform | Producing Worship
Joe Way, PhD, CTS
As many of you are aware, although I spent basically my entire career in the entertainment, arts, and AV production industries, my degrees aren’t quite in those. My PhD is a dual-discipline doctorate in Theology and Technology from the University of Birmingham UK: I wrote the first “theology of church production.” Likewise, my bachelors degree is in Philosophy and Greek Archaeology from USC, and my masters is in Applied Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary. Prior to USC, I worked as the Director of Multimedia Services at California Baptist University, and former to that I served as the technical director at two different megachurches in Southern California–Saddleback Church Aliso Viejo and Compass Bible Church Aliso Viejo. My first break into writing and publishing was due to Church Production Magazine; and, there would be no Higher Ed AV Podcast if it weren’t for Church Tech Weekly and the mentorship of Van Metschke. There is no doubt that my faith–and that work I’ve done for-and-through it–has been foundational in me becoming who I am today.
When I pivoted Higher Ed AV (HEAV) from being just a weekly podcast to being a media company with multiple contributors and “sub-brands,” I did so for one simple reason… to be a platform for others. Likewise, because my work at a religious college was a major part of even why I am able to be where I am now, I wanted one of the “columns” to speak to-and-for that audience. (Fun fact: 20% of the colleges in the United States are of religious affiliation, so simple math says that 20% of HEAV’s readers work at an affiliated school.) Hence, why I invited Steve Gibbs Jr to start the “Religious Perspectives” column (which morphed into “Small World AV“). It’s been awesome to see how HEAV was able to help Steve direct his voice. But the “religious” platform isn’t complete, and why I have decided to continue it with the “Producing Worship” column. (Yes, named after my book, don’t @ me. ?♂️??)
And speaking of platform… I was reminded this week how truly blessed I am to have a platform to speak from, both because of what HEAV has turned into and because of the doors that other people opened for me. I didn’t create this platform myself. In fact, if it were just me, no doubt it would have failed long ago.
For the last six months, I purposely sought out new voices to be heard on the Higher Ed AV Podcast because of a conversation I had during “pre-chat” recording time. I was reminded that I originally started the podcast to “meet other tech managers” because I really didn’t know anyone after transitioning from the entertainment and church industries into the higher ed vertical. At some point, I slowed down in reaching out to new voices. I got comfortable with the “bread and butter” that started it all. That needed to change. So, with few exceptions (i.e., tradeshow coverage episodes), I got it back on track. And I have been more than blessed in hearing the career stories of so many new higher ed professionals’ voices since then. And, I hear the feedback; I know you all enjoy it too.
Yet, it is more than that. It’s more than just interviewing new and different guests. Their voices need to be heard. They must be heard. Your voice must be heard. Our vertical’s spotlight is often flooded by the same handful of us who are in organizational leadership positions and in the miscellaneous manufacturer case studies (me included). Yes, I am completely blessed to be able to fill a void, but now it’s time for others to do so as well. The higher ed vertical is the fastest growing of all the AV verticals and with the highest percentage of “end users” becoming certified “in-house integrators.” We have both an opportunity and duty to influence and direct the AV industry as a whole. Higher ed isn’t just a vertical, it’s a community.
“For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body” (1 Cor 12:12). It’s been shown in study after study that diverse leadership can have a positive impact on results. When we bring various perspectives and life situations together, we all get better. It improves decision-making do to a wider range of perspectives to be considered when making decisions, which can lead to better outcomes. There is increased creativity and innovation because new ideas and approaches are brought to problem-solving, leading to more creative and innovative solutions. Likewise, there is greater satisfaction when we gather, because diverse experiences allow others to have experiences that reach outside their norm. Diverse groups see enhanced performance that fosters a positive, inclusive culture that promotes collaboration and teamwork, leading to better performance from the team members. People feel valued and heard. And last, there is better financial performance because they see opportunities that a solo experience does not. I can only imagine what HEAV would look like and the impact it will have when more voices are heard.
Your life and your experiences are your platform. The things that seem mundane to you–because you do them on a daily basis–are the exact things that others need to hear. Your ability to put what you do, think about, question, struggle with, and celebrate, into words and voice help connect us to one another. You become the light others need: “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house” (Mt 5:15). It takes a village. We need all of us. Through every tragedy or trial in my life, I would question “why, why is this happening to me?” But, as I have found, that’s the wrong question to ask. The right one is, how can I use this to benefit others who later go through a similar trial? Through all trials, there is a purpose. As a higher ed vertical, we often talk about how we can feel isolated in our jobs and on our campuses. We often feel like it’s Groundhog Day again and again. Our jobs are basically installs and support tickets, installs and support tickets, and more installs and support tickets. But the fact is, we are all going through the same things on our campuses and need to know the same information. Therefore, we are the greatest resource for our vertical. This is why we need to look outward, beyond our offices, and to places like Higher Ed AV, HETMA, ETC, LTSMG, and other higher ed organizations. These are places for voices to be amplified and supported.
I have said this many times before, I struggle with imposter syndrome… big time. I know the fear of “putting yourself out there.” I know it’s strange because I’m the guy who shows up at InfoComm in light up shoes and won’t put a mic down once one is handed to me. But, that’s just show business. It’s easy for me to perform. It’s much more difficult for me to be vulnerable and take a risk. But, it’s when you step outside of your comfort zone that real change happens–both personal and in others. God gave you the spirit of courage, not fear… of power and love, to be used for others (2 Tim 1:7). Have faith that someone out there needs what you have to offer; they need to hear you. What I have found, it’s not my elaborate writings I spend days composing that are the most effective, it’s when I give one simple spur-of-the-moment insight that I may not have thought was spectacular, but it’s just what another person needed to hear in that exact moment.
And therefore, this is an open offer… If you work in the higher ed vertical and desire to put anything into words, through any type of medium–articles, podcasts, YouTube, case studies, etc.–I am opening up this platform for you. Higher Ed AV will host it, publish it, and promote it for you. Whether you want to start something on a regular basis or just have a one-time thought, this platform is yours. All you need the idea and the draft. You’ve been given a platform; how will you use it to impact others?
Please note: due to the “religious angle” of this column, it will continue to have biblical references in future months. For a complete understanding of the biblical case for technology, order your copy of Producing Worship, at Amazon and Target.
