Technical staff members and volunteers often have a difficult time focusing on worship when they come to church on their weekends off. They can't relax because they want to grab the controls and tighten up that kick drum, or slow down the video transitions on the IMAG, or highlight the soloist from a different angle or with a different color. Sometimes just sitting in church can be tech director torture. But is that the attitude our God and creator wants from us --- especially at Christmas time?
Christmas productions are usually the most technically and musically demanding events of the year. We're often stretched in ways that we don't expect. If there are technical problems --- an under-performing sound system, a weak lighting system etc --- Christmas is when it will be most evident. It's hard not to focus on those problems, especially when someone else is operating the system.
If this situation sounds familiar, let me suggest you ask yourself these three questions: 1) Are you being critical because the situation doesn't meet the standards for your congregation? (ie: are you getting complaints?), 2) Are you being critical because the situation is beneath the standards that God expects from us?, or 3) Are you being critical because the situation is not meeting your personal standards or tastes?
My guess is that the things that drive us crazy most often fit into this last category. In other words the things that we're most critical of are only things that we notice --- not the general congregation. In the grand scheme of things, they're probably relatively minor. And on the subject of God's standards; far be it from me to speak for our creator, but there's certainly nothing in the Bible about how to EQ the bass guitar, or properly shade a particular camera feed.
If your situation falls into category one or two, you likely have a valid reason for being distracted. However, if you find the source of your distraction simply has to do with a violation of your tastes or preferences, then it's time to check your attitude at the door and climb into the “time to worship box.”
There's always going to be something that could be better -- because no one is perfect. And that's the reason we need to be focused on God's word in the first place.
