Why is Cross Training Important?

Cross Training is a term many know. For the purpose of this post, let us define it as “training team members to serve in more than one position on the Technical Ministry team.” Let us take a look at the reasons for cross-training from the standpoints of the team, the leader, and the church. I’ll finish up with some basic tips for cross training and a few final thoughts.

First of all, from the team standpoint, this keeps the job really interesting. They are continually challenged to become more skillful at their craft. This also really changes their awareness of the needs of the other positions. For example, a camera operator who learns to video direct is much better for the camera experience. They are much better at communicating their wishes to the camera operators they are directing. I have found that the more cross trained people there are on the team, the better the communication and the better the overall production.

From the leader’s standpoint, cross training provides unparalleled flexibility in adjusting to service demands, team members who missed their service date, and supporting team members who are having a really tough day. It saves the leader from performing three positions simultaneously and trying to keep track of all the details. Trying to do three positions at once is nothing but a recipe for technical service disasters and burn out for the Technical Director.

From the church’s standpoint, they have great technical consistency to the worship services. The church leadership and congregation never need to know about the challenges that occur when someone doesn’t show up or a service’s complexity pushes the boundaries of the normal service day. Cross-training mitigates the challenges to something only those of us behind the scenes know about.

Some tips for cross training, the first place to start is ask if other positions interest the person. Secondly, I tend to keep them in the area they started due to the aural/visual dynamic written about on Monday, June 8.

I also try to move them through progressions of complexity and/or responsibility. For instance, I move robotic camera operators to the manned camera, then to the stage camera, then to shading, and so on. This also means that you really get to know someone from a servant standpoint before they move into positions of greater responsibility such as Video Directing or Live Audio. This is also a great way to find the people who have the passion for Technical Ministry and might be good candidates to become a Technical Director.

Also, do not be afraid to make people move around. If someone is not clamoring to change positions, I will usually move them to a new spot at least once a year.

One warning to leaders of the teams, if you cross-train someone into a position of responsibility, you have to let go of the responsibility. It does no good to train someone to fill a position and then always second guess or over direct them. If a person is well trained, you can let go of that part of your job until they have a problem.

My final thought for this post is to say “Try to cross train yourself out of a job!” I consider my job to be properly done when I don’t have an operational position during a worship service.