How To Lead When You’re Not In Charge

Kind of amused when I saw this book shared by my friend in her FB account last June 25, 2024.  This question is kind of common when you see the need but nobody is in-charge.  If there is, sometimes, the authority is being question one way or the other, right?  Why?  Because of qualifications of credibility and integrity.  

I really wanted to read this book.  Kind of curious what is all about and looking forward for the day to read it.

When I started my FB live on January 19, 2019, at first, it was just for my documentation but I never thought that it will be the beginning of the church livestream ministry. 

How it started?  January 19, 2019, I got bored watching worthless reels and FB live.  Though it helped me to kill time, I’m kind of fed-up watching those and I heard myself saying this, “Why not start recording the Sunday worship instead of watching these worthless videos?  If other people can do worthless videos to entertain, why not spread the word of God by using FB live?”   The moment I decided to do it, I stopped watching FB live on that day and did my first ever FB live. Saturday Vigil.  

I used my smart data in doing my FB live and since the signal was not good in the church, the streaming was on and off.  Despite of that, I felt good because one way or the other, I was able to share the word of God online and introduced to the public how we worship.

January 20, 2019, Sunday, the Feast of the Lord, the Giver of Life also known for the ICCEC as All Life Is Sacred Day marked my first Sunday livestream but it only covered the homily.  To be honest, I don’t have plans to cover the entire worship service then because it excessively consumed my data but after that Sunday worship, I felt like I’m missing something.  The online service is not complete so I’m not satisfied at all. I mean, we’ve church members and relatives living abroad and other parts of the Philippines so attending the online worship service can help them relieve the longing for their family and church.

The next Sunday, the whole service was on livestream and guest what was the theme on that day?  It’s “Walking In Fulfillment of Sacrifice”. I believe, there is no coincidence but everything was orchestrated by God.  The title itself reminded me that it's worth to sacrifice something for God's kingdom.  From that Sunday onwards, I was on live streaming for the benefits of others. 

Was I being questioned in doing the live stream?  Of course! by some critics but I don’t care at all because at that time, I’m using my personal account so it’s my responsibility.  Did I ask permission from the Bishop to do livestream?  No, not at all but he never told me to stop either, instead, he supported me.  When my phone was broken, he lent me a spare phone to continue my live streaming until I got my own phone. 

One of the amazing things that had happened while doing the live stream was, God answered my prayer.  Dcn. Elijohn gave me a Zhiyun Smooth 4 Gimbal so that my live stream will be stabilized and also for convenience.  He doesn’t know that I was desiring for a new tripod so when he learned that I was praying for it, he was delighted for being sensitive to the need.  I believe, it was the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Every Sunday is a learning process and as I improve my craft, I started discovering the creativity in live streaming.  I may not be a part of the Media Ministry but what I was doing at that time was one way or the other fulfilling the ministry I really wanted since the beginning.  

On November 3, 2019, the Media Ministry adopted the FB livestream and though I was relieved from doing it, I was still there assisting the person in-charge until they were able to master it.

When COVID-19 hit the world in 2020 and due to border restrictions, online streaming was one of our options to attend the mass and since we can't go to church, Primate Ricardo did his online teaching on Psalm 91 and Faith For Our Times for us to be strengthened our inner man.  To this day, the online stream  saintmichaelkalibo.com is doing a great job because somebody who has broaden knowledge in mass communication is in charge of the ministry.

Looking back to the beginnings of the online stream, I was grateful that I started the small act because without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I can't be able to make it.  Yes, I was questioned and I was criticized but I stood up simply because I felt the need of doing it.  Who would have thought that pandemic would hit and freeze the world and that, the online streaming will be sought-after?  Nobody knows.

This account is not for me to show off or to be recognized of what I did.  No, that is not my purpose.  I am sharing this because I believe that there are people out there who wants to do ministry work but one way or the other hesitant to do it for fear of men, for fear of being question and the likes.  

As what Primate Ricardo says, "if God tells you to do something, do it."  Don't be afraid to start small.  Whenever you see the need for the kingdom work, pray for it and then do it.  Just like me, I thought, it's just for my own documentation but I never expected that God will expand it for His honor and glory.  

When we do things for God and if it is aligned to His will, plans and purposes, He will send you help and the right people to fulfill it.  To God be the glory!