Relationship between IT, Communications & Media

Posted by David Drinnon on Dec 1, 2008 | 120 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.equipthem.info%2F2008%2F12%2F01%2Frelationship-between-it-communications-media%2FRelationship+between+IT%2C+Communications+%26+Media2008-12-01+06%3A06%3A20David+Drinnonhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.equipthem.info%2Frelationship-between-it-communications-media%2F

Both the church and technology are ever changing. Churches have to work strategically to maximize its staff, resources, and work processes; otherwise, they'll likely experience duplication of effort, inefficiency, excessive expenditures. This is more true with IT, Communications and Media than any other area of the church. These 3 areas are technologically driven and technologically dependent. Churches can't afford to operate inefficiently because of the high cost of technology. The three diagrams below show the overlap that often occurs between these 3 entities. The overlap may vary based on the size and complexity of the church, but as a church grows these areas of overlap are real issues. It is obvious these 3 areas must work together in unison for a church to be strategic and effective in its use of technology.

The Shared Ministry (Functions) of IT, Communications, and Media

The Shared Technical Resources of IT, Communications and Media

The Shared Staffing of IT, Communications, and Media

As you can see, when these three aren't working together, you will find the following issues:

A. Decentralized Purchasing and Reduced Purchasing Power with Vendors.

B. Employing redundant personnel.

C. Defining redundant working processes.

D. Wasted time getting department heads to agree on priorities, projects, and availability of resources to get things done.

Conclusions:

1. Establish 1 person (the Triad Team Leader) to oversee all 3 department who shares a seat 'at the table' with the senior leadership/pastors of the church. This person needs to have both a heart for ministry, a technical bent, and a very defined vision for how technologies may be used strategically for the church.

2. Appoint a team leader for each of these 3 teams and define a clear chain of command.

3. Each week the Triad leaders meet to share project updates, weekly tasks, and reevaluate project priorities.

3. Locate (i.e. office) all personnel from these 3 departments into one central location to streamline internal communications, project collaboration, creative teamwork, etc. It helps to have a really good conference room.