Josh Basil
Weekly Report # 1
January 28, 2007
I sat in the sound booth and observed all that goes on with the audio/ visual department.
When I got to church, I began looking for the soundman to explain the situation. I found him and introduced myself. His name was Tom and he was a really nice and understanding guy. He gave me a quick overview of what was what and certain things that were happening in today’s worship service. I already knew almost everything he was telling me because I work for a traveling sound company, but I wanted to hear his situation and view on things. He was explaining that the different frontline singers they have from week to week determines what volumes that mics will be set at. One of the singers that was there today sings really loud on her own, so he had her almost all the way down! Tom showed me the recording system they use and how it hooks up to the computer. It wasn’t part of Tom’s job, but the power point changer was also in the sound booth. I learned the importance of noticing where people sit. He showed me how they have a different volume control for the back speakers because that is where most of the older people sit. Today was the associate pastor’s last day, so there were a few special things. We had to get a cd ready for a lady to sing a special song. We turned the monitors off for announcements because most people aren’t used to hearing themselves and will talk differently if they hear themselves in the speakers. The choir mics were turned off for the quieter parts of songs so Paula (the piano player and lead vocalist) wouldn’t have to battle over the entire choir. There was only one time throughout the service that the monitors needed changed. The choir needed more lead vocals. The massage didn’t require much work from the sound booth, so we finally got a break! Towards the end (alter call) we turned most of it back on for the band. The alter call was finished and the band was slowing down, so we picked out a more upbeat worship cd and let that play until almost everyone was gone. As a result of this observation, I learned that there is a lot more work that goes into making a service sound good and run smoothly than most people think! It takes a lot of work and practice to become a good soundman.

So today i went down to the church for my usual tuesday afternoon of helping out with whatever is needed, but the only person there was Nancy (the secretary). The three pastors were all out running an errand. I was a little dissappointed because they know when i usually come down, but i was in for a bigger surprise! Besides helping, my goal for today was to get my paper signed for the practicum thing. I told Nancy i would just leave Pastor Todd a note and she asked if i knew that this was his last week working here? i thought she was kidding, but she wasn't! he resigns next week, so i guess i need to talk to the senior pastor about doing the practicum with him? Other than that i talked to Nancy for a little while (because we hadn't really met before) about a lot of different things. My visit was short and a little dissappointing.

this past week was a lot of work! the evil russian push up thing for hodson started, i had four quizes throughout the week, and i went to help out at the church twice. On tuesday i was asked to help the youth pastor because pastor todd was in a meeting. he needed help putting together a video of picture slides from their 06' trips and events. he asked me to help because he thought it would take forever, but he didn't know that you could "select all" and import into movie maker? duh, he thought i was a genius, when really i'm not even close! We went through and labeled all of the albums and he helped me put them in chronological order, then i put it all together, fifteen minutes later i was done, except his computer froze :( i did it over in a couple minutes and he couldn't believe i was done. there was nothing else for me to do so he asked me to find some funny videos that he could show at an event or something. pastor bob had to leave, but he just told me to save whatever i thought was good and to lock his door on the way out.
I went back on thursday and he was working on replacing a door. we talked about some of the churches history bacause i commented on the river that runs by the church. it dropped literally about ten feet from when i was there tuesday! he was telling me how the building means a lot to the people because the almost lost it a few years back due to flooding. he said there were tons of people there sand-bagging, which i thought was pretty sweet! The door took us cllose to two hours and we still didn't get it right, but it was hanging and worked (for the most part) so he had to go and said he would fix it friday. I am still learning all of the extra stuff that goes into ministry; technology, knowing the people and their history, and odd jobs like replacing doors correctly. anyways, still nothing that actually counts towards the practicum stuff, but i'm learning and having fun doing it!

hopefully this works?!?!!??!?!!?!?!?
i haven't asked yet, but i will probably do my practicum at lighthouse assembly of god. I usually go there when i'm here on the weekends, but lately i've been talking to the associate pastor a lot and we're getting to know each other better all the time! last thursday (11th) i went there around 3:30 to help mud some drywall and paint. there was a mix up on the time, but i went ahead and finished what they had started. It is different to see that side of worship positions, because we usually only talk about the preaching, counciling, etc. but i guess knowing other trades is expected? i'm not awesome at stuff like that, but i had done it a few times on mission trips in mexico. i learned that the spiritual knowledge is important, but the person who gets the job is the one that has a good personality, education, and work ethic. the mix is what churches are looking for, especially hard workers!