Topeka Bible Church hires Technical Arts Director to start June 17

Written by Bryan Nelson | posted in behind the scenes, church | 1 Comment

It’s been 5 months we’ve been looking for a Technical Arts Director to hire full time for Topeka Bible Church. After the initial pool of 50 candidates, we narrowed the field to 6.  After video interviews over the internet with 4 people from TBC (Carrie Davidson, Sam Reid, Doug Will, Bryan Nelson), we narrowed the field again to 2.  We invited those two candidates to come to Topeka Bible Church for a “get to know you” and roll with us during a Thursday/Sunday rehearsal.  After these two weekends, God made the direction for us clearly.  We extended an official offer to them — and they accepted this week.

Ben Salzmann will be the next Technical Arts Director at Topeka Bible Church beginning June 17. His fiancé, Rebecca, and he will be married in two weeks on June 1.  Then, Ben & Rebecca will be with us officially starting June 17.  That’s one month from now.  They made a second, very quick, trip to Topeka to scope out housing and they’ve landed on an apartment in SW Topeka.  Ben will arrive in Topeka with a U-Haul to move in on Saturday, May 25 (10 days from now).  We’ll send out a separate invite for those of you who’d like to be available to help him move in.

Ben and Rebecca

A little bit about Ben…

Ben hails from Connecticut, graduated May of this year from Cedarville University (Cedarville, OH), and just finished up a 3 month studio internship in Nashville, TN.  While his sweet spots are video/film and audio.  But he shines most as being a guy that you enjoy hanging with.  There’s much more to Ben than what’s listed here…but you can friend him on Facebook and then check out his personal website at benjaminsalzmann.com where you can see some of his prior projects and work.

A little bit about Rebecca…

Originally from  San Antonio, TX, she and Ben met at Cedarville University and have been dating for 4 years.  But that might be the longest she’s staying in one location, since her family moved frequently.  Her dad serves in the Navy and is currently stationed about 2 hours from Topeka.  She graduated in May of this year with a BA in Education.  She has connections with Summit Ministries in Colorado and would love for Topeka to have a stand-alone Chick-fil-A (with the rest of us).  Look her up on Facebook while you can at Rebecca Rich (soon to be Rebecca Salzmann).

On a personal note, I wanted to express how incredible of a Worship Arts Family God has assembled at Topeka Bible Church. I don’t brag enough about what God has done on this front.  Personally, this has been a tough time.  It has stretched all us us to be without a FT paid Technical Arts Director and a PT paid Tech Assistant.   It was just this last week we’ve taken the stage down and back up several times for Sundays, weddings, memorial services, and concert.  Carrie Davidson and Sam Reid have shouldered the weekly hours.  Each week for the past 4 months they’ve been keeping things afloat.  Many others have pitched in to help out as well.

It’s a beautiful thing (and a goal) that many people don’t know what goes into making the environment work each week. We don’t want people to know or see this stuff — we want them to focus on the reason they come.  For example, did you know that the power-up begins at 5:45am and the power-down usually ends around 1:00pm each Sunday?  Yup, they are the first in and last out.  Did you know each stage strike/setup for a wedding/concert/memorial requires a crew of 4 to work about 8 hours to pull it off?  Did you know that each week the sermon needs to be distributed to all channels (online Vimeo, TBC website, CDs, DVDs, Xenos) takes several hours each week?  Did you know the stage design took several months to put together and countless hours to build?  I guess I’m pointing out these things so demonstrate the incredible amount of availability Carrie, Sam, and others have given these past couple of months.  With “availability” being one of our core values, you guys have gone way beyond.  If it weren’t for this team — we’d wouldn’t have had a very smooth last couple of months.  Instead, ministry has happened without a hitch.  This is a huge tribute to the availability, attitude, and ability you guys have given.

I’m glad we’ll soon have our creative margin back! And we’ll have Ben and Rebecca to share the adventure with.  May God use us to lead people to new and deeper life in Christ.

Mother’s Day Video at TBC – get your tissues

Written by Bryan Nelson | posted in church, life | 0 Comments

Get your box of tissues. Here’s the video from Mother’s Day at Topeka Bible Church. It says what most of us have trouble saying. I love you mom.

5 Reasons a Tech Team Might Be Killing It

Written by Bryan Nelson | posted in behind the scenes, leadership | 2 Comments

Our Tech Arts Family has been killing it (good thing) these past couple of months. Why?  Some of it may be due to the following:

1. A Technical Arts Director that delegated responsibility, not just tasks.

2. An unpaid staff that is highly committed, available and teachable.

3. An open adventurous attitude of “we can do this, and it’s OK if we fail” by the team members.

4. The willingness to use the God given abilities, and to set those abilities aside to collaborate as a team to accomplish something greater together.

5. Lots of drinks in the tech fridge.

What makes a tech arts family kill it in your environment?

The King’s Brass in concert at Topeka Bible Church

Written by Bryan Nelson | posted in church, music | 0 Comments

Tim Zimmerman and The King's Brass

If you like brass, piano, organ at 100 decibels, then mark your calendar! The King’s Brass will be in concert at Topeka Bible Church on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 7:00PM.  Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass present hymn classics with a contemporary flair.  The King’s Brass features three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, percussion and keyboards.  These instruments blend together to create a time of innovative worship that will be enjoyed by all generations.  Secular and sacred music critics alike applaud their concerts as “superb in every way” and “innovative and well played.”  ”Truly, an unforgettable experience!”  The King’s Brass, formed over two decades ago, is comprised of professional musicians from across the country who desire to use the instruments they love to lead others in praise and worship.

The King’s Brass’ original arrangements are featured on twelve recordings.  The latest CD on the Summit Record label (www.summitrecords.com) is their “Classic Hymns” release, featuring organists Diane Bish, Rebecca Kleintop Owens and Samuel Metzger with the Ruffatti Pipe Organ of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.