We all know that sense of dread and discouragement after a particularly tech-distracting Sunday. Mistakes and seemingly random problems are a simple fact of using technology of any kind. But do we (and the leaders of our churches) really understand this?
For many churches, the use of technology is based largely on assumptions. Some churches believe all technology is good, technology should not cost lots of money or take a long time to install and configure, and that there should never be issues with the technology we use – especially because it is expensive and takes time to install and configure correctly. These are some of the common beliefs that churches have about using technology.
Technology is man-made. When we employ technology to support the life of the church, we must recognize what it is and what it isn't. Technology itself fails, has design flaws, and interacts with other technology, humans, and environments in ways that its non-all-knowing creators did not foresee or intend. The technology humans have created exists within and is effected by this fallen world. Feedback certainly would not exist in a world without sin (and the sound guys all said ”Amen”!).
Sometimes this type of thought process feels like an excuse for less-than-excellent performance. Church tech servants need to understand this reality. We also need to help the leaders of our churches to accept it. When your church spends tens of thousands of dollars on equipment, it seems like it should function flawlessly – only this expectation will never be met. When you add in the factor of human operator error, the possibilities are nearly endless. So how can we plan for those inevitable times when humans or equipment fails?
Here are a few suggestions:
- Take responsibility for issues that are your fault or the fault of your team. If you always blame the limitations of technology or the fall for issues that occur, it will certainly destroy trust and work against unity – not to mention discredit you for making excuses.
- Have conversations about the limitations of technology before issues occur. Job interviews and staff meetings are good venues for these conversations as well as anytime the subject comes up casually.
- Work extra hard in preparing for each weekend service, prayerfully anticipating potential issues. Asking good questions in staff meetings about the next week's services and giving your operators training that prepares them for the situations they are likely to encounter based on your church's unique situation.
- Put policies and processes in place designed to foster consistency by giving technical systems operators familiar patterns. This will not only provide the immediate benefit of consistency, but will also help you acquire the proper gear which reduces issues in the long term and limits the need for repairs and replacements.
- Be prepared to demonstrate measures you are taking to minimize distractions and mistakes such as training, policies and processes, etc
Technology and humans will fail. Some Monday's are going to be more discouraging than others. But with the right perspective, we minimize distractions and discouragements, and keep the main thing the main thing.
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