Attention all clergy!!

My partner and I are excited to announce an exciting opportunity for you. In a few months we will be getting married and would like a custom marriage service designed for us. We want it to be special and unique, so nothing out of the box. (Or book)

So we decided that we would hold a CONTEST!! That’s right. Simply submit your marriage service that you designed for us to the email address below and we will review them. We look forward to announcing the winner on our wedding website. (What great recognition for you and your work!!)

Wait!! There is more. Not only will you be acknowledged for your hard work on our website and at our wedding too when the officiant we hire to perform your service gives you a shoot out!! But you will also receive a new Ipad for all your efforts.

We look forward to reviewing your submissions soon.

Okay maybe the above contest is tongue in cheek. But that is how the church comes across to graphic designers, web developers and artist when we hold a “contest” so we can get a free poster for an event or a new logo for our church.

I know it is well intentioned. But it is also insulting to highly trained professionals.

It says:

We do not value your work

We want something for free

We don’t understand the industry and therefor look amateurish.

I hope in the future we, clergy and church leaders, who want to have our own work valued and respected would afford the same respect to other industries. And we would always look to fairly compensate people for their hard work in their trained field of expertise and be grateful when those we have contracted for work offer it at a reduced rate or free as a gift to God.