ALF Lighting & Effects Handbook
ALF Lighting
& Effects
Handbook
Abundant Life Fellowship
Church Mission and Vision
Mission
We are on a mission to Excel in
Loving, Learning, and Transforming!
We are to love God, love his people, love our enemies and love our
neighbors as we love ourselves. (Matthew 5:43 - 45: Matthew 22:
37- 40: Matthew 25: 31 - 40: John 13: 34 – 35)
We are to learn what we need to learn in order to be blessed and
successful people of faith. (Psalm 1: 1 – 3; Matthew 11: 27 - 30;
Matthew 6: 25 – 33: 2 Peter 1:5)
We are to be God’s agents of transformation in our households and
in our world. (Matthew 28: 18 – 20; John 10:10 Ephesians 4: 11;
John 17:21)
Everything God wants to do for us, or through us will be
accomplished by our excelling in Loving, Learning, and
Transforming.
Vision
As we fulfill the mission we expect to see the following:
A Multiplying number of believers actively loving and serving
God
Believers learning and doing God’s Word and becoming
proficient in the
Skills and knowledge required for success in life.
Believers and their children becoming more joyful and
successful as they engage the issues of life.
Believers equipped and encouraged to take the paradigm of
Loving, learning and Transforming wherever The Holy Spirit
may direct.
ALF Lighting & Effects Core:
Mission, Motto, Pledge, Bible Verse
There needs to be a solid foundation of principles on which the
ministry operates on. The determined core things for this ministry
are the Mission, Motto, Pledge, and Bible Verse. The ministry’s
survival strongly depends on these factors.
The Mission explains what we want to do. The Motto explains how
things are done. The Pledge is a promise from one member to
another on how they will treat that member. The Bible Verse gives
this ministry a biblical purpose.
Mission
To Be Masters of Light
Whether physical or spiritual, ALF Lighting & Effects members strive
to be masters of light. We want to be a guiding light for Abundant
Life Fellowship Church and beyond with our extensive lighting
knowledge and spiritual maturity.
Motto
Safely, Quickly, Quietly
All lighting and effects must be done safely, quickly, and quietly.
They are in order of priority. So, above all else, we must do things
safely. If it cannot be done safely, it cannot be done. During lighting
and special effects functions, there will be times when we must
move quickly to meet cues in time. But, if we cannot move safely
enough, then we must slow down. Safely is number one, after all.
We move quietly to avoid being a distraction. Yet, we need to be
able to move quickly enough to meet cues. So, quietly can be
sacrificed for the sake of being quick or safe enough to complete a
task. However, being able to do all three is the ultimate goal.
Pledge
Kind, Honest, Respectful
Each member of ALF Lighting & Effects must be Kind, Respectful,
and Honest with other members. Unlike the motto, there is no set
priority of these traits. Each of these traits gets equal value. When
interacting with other members, the key is balance of these three
traits. There needs to be a family dynamic within the ministry as
well. Note: When memorizing and reciting this pledge, the order of
words does not matter. Remembering all three is all that matters.
Bible Verse
Genesis 1:3, Matthew 5:16
Genesis 1:3 says Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was
light.
Matthew 5:16 says, Let your light shine before men so that they may
see your good works and honor your Father in heaven.
“Let there be light”. As a ministry, we essentially bring these words
to life in a small way. It’s something we do, but it is also something
that enables us and gives us purpose. We “let there be light”. We
want to “let there be light”.
Adding Jesus’ words from Matthew 5:16, and we see that we “let
there be light and let that light shine”.
Serving On The ALF Lighting &
Effects Crew
Go and make disciples of men. Matthew 28:19.
The idea of serving in the church tends to be frazzled with the term
“volunteer”. The word “volunteer” means you have a choice. You can
do it if you want. It’s optional.
Yet, the command is to “go” and make disciples of men. This is our
job from Jesus Himself.
Through the ALF Lighting & Effects Crew ministry, we make disciples
of men through our lighting and effects. This is our response to
Jesus’ call and command. This is not a volunteer mission and should
not be treated as such.
We are here to make an impact on people’s spirits. Their lives. We
are here to touch somebody in a way they have never been touched
before. This is our job. God told us to do this. He gave us this
assignment. Do you think He’s okay with you not fulfilling such an
assignment?
That’s what it means to serve on the ALF Lighting & Effects Crew.
Everything you do on this crew is to save lives. Don’t take that
lightly. With the power of color psychology, we truly are making an
impact on people. We are enhancing the songs. We are enhancing
the atmosphere.
Now is not the time to confuse volunteer and service. Now is the
time to call yourself something completely different than volunteer.
But what? Should we call ourselves servants? Servants of our church?
Servants of the kingdom of God?
Let’s look at how Jesus felt about the word “servant” and what it
means to serve. “Servant” seems like a lowly title until you realize
just how important Jesus thinks it is.
Matthew 20:28 says just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Jesus came to serve. Serve what? His life. He came to give, not
receive. Just like a servant’s job is to give; not receive.
John 12:26 adds to the servant description. Whoever serves me must
follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will
honor the one who serves me.
As you can see, a servant of the Lord is who will be honored. We are
to serve. This is our job in the kingdom. If we wish to receive the
benefits of the kingdom, we must serve. But, as Jesus said, serving
is a very powerful thing.
So, proudly call yourself a servant of God. It’s a great honor.
Spiritual Light Development
Being a part of this ministry involves taking on light of all kinds. ALF
Lighting & Effects members aim to be masters of light. It all starts
with the most powerful Light of all: God.
The following statements are biblically based. They refer to you as a
light as well as how God views light.
1. I am a light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
2. I am a light to the “unsaved” (Gentiles) (Isaiah 42:6)
3. I am a child of light (John 12:36)
4. I am a light to those in darkness (Romans 2:19)
5. I wear light (Romans 13:12)
The following statements are how the Bible, and by supposed
extension, us, views light:
1. Light is a guide (Psalm 119:105)
2. Light gives clarity (Psalm 119:130)
3. Light is for everyone (Proverbs 29:13)
4. God is Light (Isaiah 60:19-20)
5. Light reveals all (Mark 4:21-22)
6. Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12)
7. Light is good (2 Corinthians 6:14)
8. God is the source of Light (Revelation 21:23)
Training Program
The mission of the ministry is for the members to be masters of
light. In order to master something, you must learn it. In the various
positions of ALF Lighting & Effects, there is a certain amount of
knowledge and developed skill needed. This training program has
been established to help you grow to become a master of light.
Your first level of training takes place while being a Lighting
Technician. Once initial training is complete, you will begin spiritual
light development. After that, you will have the option to become a
specialist. If that is the desire, you will complete another set of
training, more intense than basic, naturally.
Training never really stops once you become a specialist, especially
for a Technician because the lighting world is always changing and
updating technology so it’s important to stay up to date with that.
There is also more than one way to do lighting and learning about
them is time consuming. At times, the Lighting Designer will require
you to read and/or watch things that fall within your position of
expertise as a way to help you continue to grow.
The Importance of Punctuality
When attending meetings, services, and other church events,
sometimes we end up “running late”. It happens. However, we
shouldn’t take this lightly. We want to be on time for various
reasons.
When working with volunteers, you get the idea that people will
excuse not being punctual as “this isn’t my real job”. However, it IS
your job as we are called to serve in God’s house. By arriving late or
finishing late, without urgency, we are late for Him.
Let’s take a look at how the Bible addresses being punctual.
1 Corinthians 14:40 says “Let all things be done decently and in
order.”
The idea here is that we are meant to do things a certain way at a
certain time. Being late can throw things out of balance and order.
Ecclesiastes 3:2 says “A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is
planted.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 stresses there being a time for
everything. But, the main focus is on verse 3 because it presents a
warning about being late.
If a farmer plants too late, his crops will grow too late and he
potentially misses his harvest as the crops would still be trying to
grow as the seasons change.
Finally, a couple of verses from Philippians helps us see that it can
be selfish to be late.
Philippians 2:3-4: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or
conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than
himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but
also for the interests of others.
As I mentioned before, being late shows a lack of respect for others’
time. It makes you appear as only thinking about yourself.
Basic Terminology
Aims of Lighting: To enhance mood, atmosphere, and drama; to
illuminate the story; to separate planes; to suggest depth; to direct
attention; to reveal character; to convey time of day; to enrich and,
occasionally, bedazzle.
Ambient Light: The general Illumination for a room or other area.
Assignment Sheet: A chart that shows what form of lighting is to be
done by a chosen member of the crew.
Attributes of Light: Every source has five main attributes that affect
the quality of light emitted and the overall lighting-look: 1) Hard or
Soft (or in between); 2) Intensity (the amount of light); 3) Direction
(in relation to the lens/subject axis); 4) Color (of light emitted); and
5) Beam pattern (the Beam Angle, shape, and any shadow patterns).
Background Light: Reveals the character of the background and
helps separate it from the subject.
Backlight: Illumination on a subject from behind, causing a
separation of the subject from the background, often creating a
fringe of light around the subject.
Blackout: To remove or the removal of all or almost all light on the
performing area, usually done rapidly.
Barndoor: A front-of-the-light device having two or more pivotable
black panels used to shape the Beam and shade the camera lens or
scene.
Complementary Colors: Two colors of light that combine to make
white light in the additive color mixing system. For red, green, and
blue, the complementary colors are cyan, magenta, and yellow,
respectively.
Cue: A signal for a light change.
Dead: Anything that is supposed to be carrying, or has the potential
to carry electrical current, but isn't.
Dim: To change the intensity of an instrument. The state of an
instrument at very low intensity.
Downstage: The stage area nearest the audience.
Fade In: The gradual increase in intensity of light.
Fade Out: The gradual decrease in intensity of light.
Fade-To-Black: To gradually decrease the intensity of all lighting to
a blackout.
Fill Light: Fill is used to lighten shadows.
Followspot: A narrow-beam focusing instrument that is manually
operated, and usually comprises a powerful light source, an iris,
shutters, a color changer, and perhaps other features.
Gels: Used as a (mostly) color filter for a light. They typically come
in sheets.
Gobo: A general term for any opaque item placed into the beam of
an instrument that blocks a portion of the beam or the whole beam.
In this way, the light of the instrument is shaped by the design of
the item.
House Lights: General lighting provided for the audience area. A
type of Ambient light.
Instrument: In the theater industry, another term for equipment.
Juice: The popular way to refer to electricity.
Key Light: The strongest source of light in a three point lighting
setup.
Kill: To turn off one or more of your lights.
Light Change: To dim, kill, or turn on your lights while shooting.
Light Plot: A blueprint for lighting that shows outlets, equipment
layouts, accessories, and anything else lighting related.
Lighting Crew: A group of individuals trained in lighting skills and
techniques, and collectively assembled to work on a stage
production.
Lighting Design: The outlook and plan for the Lighting Crew
created by the Lighting Designer.
Lighting Designer: One who plans lighting compositions, lays out
light plots, directs the focusing of luminaires, and determines the
various intensities, colors, looks, and cues for a lighting production.
Lighting Technician: One trained in the lighting skills and
techniques necessary for the implementation of the lighting design
for a particular production.
Offstage: Out of sight from the audience.
Onstage: In sight of the audience.
Pan: To arc a light horizontally.
Pipe Clamp: A light support that attaches to a grid or pipe.
Practical Light: A prop light seen in the shot which can be operated
by the subject; sometimes doctored to control brightness, color, or
coverage.
Primary Colors: In light, the primary colors are red, green, and
blue.
Rigging: Generally, the support items used by riggers, such as
cables, ropes, pulleys, hoists, motors, chains, slings, etc.
Safety cable: Something that wraps around a pipe clamp and
hanging instrument so that, if the clamp-instrument connection
fails, the cable will keep instrument up.
Sandbag: A weight used to stabilize unstable Stands, Rigs, and
much else. Substitutes: heavy cables, cases, or rocks.
Secondary Colors: When two Primary Colors mix. Cyan is of Green
and Blue, Yellow is of Red and Green, and Magenta is of Red and
Blue.
Subject: The person or object being lit.
Throw: The distance light travels from Source to Subject, as in "a
long throw."
Tilt: Vertical arcing of the light.
Types of Lights and Effects
These are the names of lights used by ALF Lighting & Effects.
Uplight: The American DJ Wifly QA5 Par.
Followspot: The American DJ FS600 LED.
Accent lights: The City Theatrical Color Kinetics fixtures.
Broadcast lights: The Ellipsoidals that sit on the edge of the Tech
Box/Booth
Stage lights: The nine groups of four lights over the stage.
House lights: The lights inside the large white casing covering the
entire sanctuary.
Perimeter lights: The lighting that runs around the perimeter of the
sanctuary.
Perimeter Spots: Set of pinspots that run around the perimeter of
the sanctuary.
Flames: The American DJ Enferno.
Strobes: The American DJ Mega Flash.
Fog Machine: 400W Metal Fog Machine
Safety Standards
Intro
If it cannot be done safely, it cannot be done. Some safety rules
have been established for us to follow whenever we’re working.
Let it be said that the only people that are allowed to advise you of
what to do with these standards are the Lighting Designer or a
Lighting Electrician.
There are dangers in the lighting and effects world. You deserve to
know what they are.
Electrocution
Falling equipment
Fires
If we do things the right way, we won’t have to worry about these
things. These dangers come with the job so it couldn’t be possible
to tell you that we can completely avoid them and so, if you are
uncomfortable with the risks, you should probably reconsider your
role on the crew.
For all members of a lighting and effects crew, there needs to be a
basic understanding of electrical safety, which this document will go
over.
A lot of lights are hung in the lighting world. To avoid anything
falling on people, we need to make sure things are secured
properly. Lighting crews use these things:
Pipe clamps
Safety cables
Sandbags
One Major Rule
This is VERY important and there are no exceptions unless the LD,
LS, or ME says so.
Under no circumstance is anyone, other than trained members
of the crew, allowed to touch the equipment in any way.
This is very important. If you see somebody messing around with it,
they must be stopped. Here is why:
Someone could get hurt. People that are trained are aware of
the dangers of lighting and special effects and handling the
equipment. Someone not trained may do something with the
equipment that leads them to getting hurt.
This stuff is expensive. People that are not trained on it could
do something wrong and boom; messed up equipment. If the
equipment is damaged, it is on the church's hands to replace,
if the church would even bother to replace. So, the church
would only want people who are trained or "certified"
to operate the equipment.
What To Do If Something Happens
Things happen. People get hurt. If someone on the crew gets hurt,
or if there seems to be a serious malfunction of the equipment, the
first thing to do is to notify the crew leadership and/or a Lighting
Electrician.
You also need to pray. Prayer is a powerful weapon in a world where
we sometimes don’t have full control, like in emergency situations.
You need to remain calm. You must act swiftly, but, take a breath.
Breathe. Be ready to assist in any way that your crew leadership
instructs.
Do not touch anything that appears to be smoking, giving off sparks
or on fire. If a fellow crew member suffers an injury, notify crew
leadership. Do not touch the crew member.
Extension Cord and Power Strip
Safety
Let’s go over dealing with extension cords and power strips. As you
walk around the church, if you see things that don’t agree with what
is written here, you have the full authority to correct the situation.
Power strips cannot go into other power strips and/or
extension cords. Also, nothing is to go between a power strip
and outlet. Not even adapters and the like.
Extension cords cannot be taped, covered (with mat or rug), or
nailed/stapled in any way on any surface. Essentially, we must
think that a cord needs to be able to breathe. However, Gaffers
tape is acceptable for use on extension cords.
Extension cords cannot run through doorways. One major
reason is high traffic. Another reason is that the cords could
get pinched when trying to close a door and therefore making
the extension cord not only less effective, but greater risk of
fire hazard.
Extension cords cannot go into extension cords. This means,
essentially, we can only use one extension cord per fixture.
There is a way to control more than one fixture with just one
cord though. Using a multiple outlet extension cord will work
fine.
The thickness of the extension cord must not be less than the
thickness of the appliance’s cord being used with it. The
reason behind this is that the size of a cord factors in on the
usage of power. If a followspot has a large cable, that means it
uses a great deal of power. If you use a smaller extension cord,
all of that power has to now squeeze through a smaller cord,
and then you run the risk of the cord wearing out. It can also
lead to overheating which can lead to cords catching on fire
and you know the rest.
Extension cords cannot be used if they are torn in any way. The
wires within the cord are exposed and become a fire hazard.
Also, exposed wires can cause electrocution. You cannot try to
repair the cord in any way such as with tape.
A power strip’s casing should be plastic, not metal.
Only one power strip should be plugged into a single duplex
electrical outlet at a time.
Uncoil long cords when in use, to avoid overheating.
There should be no exposed cords and cables in the general
public. This is the congregational area on the floor and in the
balcony.
We must limit the usage of extension cords and focus on
plugging items in using the built in power cable in the nearest
possible outlet. If this cannot be done, use the shortest
extension cord possible.
Whenever we’re not in the building, all cords connected to fixtures
not in use must be unplugged. Before you leave, make sure to take
a quick walk around to make sure nothing is left plugged in.
Rigging Equipment
Gaffers tape is a special tape that originated as a tool for lighting
crews, but has expanded to many other industries. Use gaffers tape
to tape down power and extension cords.
Next are pipe clamps. The pipe clamp connects the fixture, like a
Par, to a stand, truss system, pipe, or whatever else you want the
fixture to hang from. Clamps must be tightened as much as
possible.
Safety cables are in case a clamp fails for whatever reason. The
cable loops through a fixture and a clamp, and, whatever the fixture
is hanging from. So, if the clamp was to fail, the safety cable will
keep the fixture in place, or at least keep it from falling on
someone. If a safety cable ends up being used in the form of
catching a falling piece of equipment, it must be replaced. A safety
cable has only one life.
Sandbags serve as anchors. These are placed on the feet of lighting
stands (and other gear that is extended to great heights), to help
prevent a stand from tipping over.
Fog Machines
Risk of electrocution is high with water based fluid and
plugging unit into electrical outlet. Do not plug in if nearby
area or the unit is wet outside of tank.
Do not touch body of unit while it is plugged in. It becomes
very hot.
Never aim nozzle at people, including yourself, while the unit
is plugged in.
Do not allow items in front of the nozzle, especially highly
flammable items.
The unit must be on a level, hard surface while plugged in and
during operation.
Both hands are needed to move the unit to prevent spillage.
Even then, leaks will likely occur.
Always have towel or related item to dry up spills. Last thing
needed is for someone to slip on a wet spot.
Other Safety Rules
You must not place items on the top of the ladder or a step on
the ladder. It could fall and hurt someone. If the ladder has a
tray designed for tool placement, that is fine to use.
In reference to previous point, you must not leave a ladder
unattended if it does have items on it. Someone may not
realize this, attempt to move it, and the item would fall,
potentially causing injury.
If the ladder seems damaged, don’t use it.
Don’t let anything block a fire exit.
Know where fire extinguishers are in church.
Positions
The ministry is split between 3 main positions: Designer,
Technician, and Electrician. The following bullet points do not cover
all responsibilities of position; but provide an overview.
Each main position has primary responsibilities.
Designers focus on creating the design and all of the
paperwork involved
Technicians focus on executing the design. They are also
responsible for live troubleshooting
Electricians are responsible for maintenance and inventory of
the equipment
Designers
Lighting Designer (LD):
The Lighting Designer is head of the ALF Lighting & Effects Crew.
Creates lighting designs
Has thorough understanding of electricity, color theory, and
geometry
Works with the electricians to ensure Safety Standards are
followed
Creates Light Plot, Magic Sheet, Cue Sheet, Shop Order Sheet,
and Ripple Sheet
Programs fixture profiles, colors, effects, and movement for
the cues
Runs focus
At least 18 years old and served as ALD for at least a year
Assistant Lighting Designer (ALD):
Assists the Lighting Designer in lighting design duties
Organizes lighting table
Served as Lighting Technician for a determined amount of
services while completing training assignments
Lighting Board Programmer (Board Designer):
Acquire and assign fixture profiles
Work with LD to program scenes and chases and other
elements via light board
Has served as Lighting Board Technician for a combined
determined number of events and productions or number of
services
Has completed necessary training as Lighting Board Technician
Technicians
Lighting Supervisor (LS):
The Lighting Supervisor is the leader of the Technicians:
Responsible for scheduling the Sparks for services, events, and
productions
Maintain the aesthetic integrity of the lighting design during
execution
Able to train members of the team in whatever lighting aspect
At least 18 years old and served as a Lighting Board, Special
Effects, or Followspot Technician for a combined determined
number of events and productions or number of services
Assistant Lighting Supervisor (ALS):
Assists the LS in responsibilities
Lighting Board Technician (Board Spark):
Triggering every lighting cue via scenes, chases, and bumps
Served as Lighting Technician for a combined determined
number of events and productions or number of services while
completing training assignments
Followspot Technician (FS Spark):
Knowledge and ability to operate color, intensity, shape, and
size of beam.
Ability to stay focused and keep a steady hand
Served as Lighting Technician for a combined determined
number of events and productions or number of services while
completing training assignments
Lighting Technician (Spark):
The Lighting Technician is the entry position to the ALF Lighting &
Effects Crew. After training, they become a specialist of Followspot
or Lighting Board.
Ability to setup, operate, and troubleshoot equipment
Responsible for all lighting instruments, accessories, control
consoles
Completes required training before moving onto one of teams
Electricians
Master Electrician (ME):
Creates and maintains Safety Standards
Leads Technicians in setup and breakdown for events and
productions
Enforces Safety Standards in ministry activities
Keeps track of crew equipment and supplies inventory
Leads maintenance in crew equipment and supplies
At least 18 years old and served as Deck Juicer for at least 6
months
Deck Electrician (Deck Juicer):
Troubleshoot power issues during productions and events
Assists the ME in equipment and supplies duties
Served as Lighting Technician for four months while
completing training assignments
Paths of Advancement
Everybody starts at a Lighting Technician. You can then jump into
one of the three teams. If design is your gift/calling, then you would
begin training as an Assistant Lighting Designer. From there, you
can become a Lighting Designer (there is only one Lighting Designer
at a time).
If operating the equipment is your gift/calling, then you will begin
diving into more of the specialty positions. You can train to be one
or both. From there, you can advance to become an Assistant
Lighting Supervisor and then Lighting Supervisor (there can only be
one Lighting Supervisor at a time).
If you would like to be a Lighting Electrician, you can become a Deck
Electrician. Then, move into Master Electrician (there can only be
one Master Electrician at a time).
Lighting Board Technician has a direct path to becoming a Lighting
Board Programmer if desired.
You can hold multiple positions within the ministry. Since all of the
lighting disciplines have a tendency to overlap, members typically
serve in multiple positions anyway. However, everyone will have a
primary position where they will serve the most.
Paths of Advancement Graph
Lighting Technician
Lighting Board Technician
Lighting Board Programmer
Lighting Supervisor
Followspot Technician
Lighting Supervisor
Deck Electrician Master Electrician
Assistant Lighting Designer
Lighting Designer
Discipline
Tardiness without notice:
If not for an emergency, if a member is running late or will be
absent, the crew member must notify crew leadership.
1. If a member arrives over 15 minutes late for a lighting and
special effects meeting (meeting, rehearsal, serve date), and
has not notified crew leadership before the start, a verbal
warning takes place.
2. If this happens three times within a five meeting period, then
it’s time for action. The member, crew leadership, and if the
member is a minor, the parent, will all have to discuss why the
member is late.
3. If this rate continues, crew leadership reserves the right to
assume that there are commitment issues. This will not
necessarily mean that the member will be removed from the
crew. Rather, their role could be diminished.
Absence without notice:
1. If a member has one absence and fails to notify crew
leadership prior to the absence, a warning will be made.
2. If this happens three times in a five meeting period, the
member, crew leadership, and if the member is a minor, the
parent, will have to discuss the next course of action.
3. If this continues, crew leadership, the member, and if the
member is a minor, the parent, will need to discuss the
member’s future on the crew. The crew needs people that can
be dedicated and able. If a crew member cannot participate,
then notify crew leadership.
Lack of Communication:
When a message is sent to a crew member and the crew member
has not responded within the given timeframe, there will be actions
taken. Essentially, crew leadership is being ignored, which is a form
of disrespect, which goes against the Pledge. Breaking the pledge is
a very serious offense.
1. If three messages within five messages are ignored, crew
leadership, the crew member, and, if the member is a minor,
the parent, must sit down to discuss the reasons for not
responding.
2. If this continues, crew leadership will begin excluding the
member from assignments that involve communication.
3. If this continues, the crew member will be asked by crew
leadership to not participate in crew activities. Again, ignoring
the leadership is a direct violation of the pledge and tolerance
for that is very low.
Training:
If a member has not completed training assignments, crew
leadership has the following options:
Demote member to lesser role that does not require as much
training.
If first option doesn’t work, member would not be allowed to
serve until completed training to satisfaction of crew
leadership.
Things that will result in immediate termination from the crew:
Intentional violation of Safety Standards
Intentional physical and/or emotional harm to other members
of the crew
Intentional repetitive breaking of the Pledge
Dealing With Crew Conflict
The best of friends have conflicts. We are not perfect and we will
have times of opposing views. We will have times where we hurt
each other, unintentionally. It’s a fatal mistake to think conflict
could never happen.
Read this passage from the Bible because that is the base of how the
ALF Lighting and Special Effects Crew will deal with conflict.
Matthew 18:15-17 (NKJV): Moreover if your brother sins against you,
go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you,
you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you
one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every
word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to
the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to
you like a heathen and a tax collector.
How This Applies to the ALF Lighting
& Effects Crew
Clearly, if one person has done you wrong, there are steps to be
taken. This is to ensure that the wrongdoer has a chance to repent.
Phase One: If a crew member has wronged you, you need to
confront this person using the Crew Pledge. If you are approached,
you must also face this conflict keeping the Crew Pledge.
Phase Two: If you and the crew member cannot come to an
understanding, it is time to bring a member of crew leadership into
the conversation. The leader is not meant to tell you how to address
your conflict, though it could happen. In keeping with the Bible
passage, he is present in the form of witnesses.
Phase Three: It’s not good that we come this far. At all. Yet, if the
ALF Lighting and Special Effects Crew cannot solve this problem
within our ranks, it will be time to talk to one of the church leaders
in the council.
Phase Four: This is the worst part. If, after the first three phases
don’t work, it will most likely mean removal of the member from the
crew.
Communication Standard
Lack of communication is a problem. Methods that have been made
available.
Slack
In person
If a message with a required response is sent, and the response is
not given in the given timeframe, there is a problem. The member
must have a reason why crew leadership has been ignored the next
time a leader and member meet. If there’s no good reason, crew
leadership will assume that they were being ignored. Here are a
couple of excuses that won’t be accepted:
I forgot
I’m busy
If you forgot, that’s not the crew leadership’s problem. You must be
responsible, and courteous to crew leadership. Everybody has lives
outside of the ministry and a lot of responsibilities to juggle. If you
can’t handle sending messages, then you’re going to struggle within
the crew. Do something to help you remember.
If you are too busy, then you are too busy. Just know that this
means you are too busy and crew leadership will take it as you
being too busy to participate in ministry. You most likely will either
be given a smaller role or encouraged to step down from the crew, if
only for a moment.
Slack Guidelines
You need to be able to do these things on Slack.
1. I am able to view and am following each channel that I’ve been
invited to follow.
2. I will tell crew leadership if I can't serve for my scheduled date
and will seek a replacement or trade-off for that date.
3. If someone says they cannot serve on their scheduled date,
and is seeking a replacement or trade-off, I will let the person
know if I can trade or replace. I will not be silent.
4. If a response is requested, I will provide it within the given
timeframe.
5. I will not allow 48 hours to pass without checking for updates.