Photo by Gerson Repreza on Unsplash
Imagine this scenario: You are on tech rotation for this week's services, practice is in full swing, and something just isn't right. Ok, it's not that something isn't right; it's that the band isn't right. Sharp, flat, fast, slow --- whatever it happens to be, it's right there and it's in your face. Here you are back at the board, cringing, hoping that nobody notices the wrinkles on your face, trying to nonchalantly turn the PA off. Act cool and nobody will be the wiser.
Alternatively, if for some reason that scenario doesn't strike a chord, how about this: As is normal for you, a Jedi of tech, you have done incredible amounts of due diligence in preparation for the weekend. You have previewed the set, memorized it, and have planned out some absolutely killer effects that will be loved and cherished by all. At the appropriate time during rehearsal you unleash a special massive concoction of delay, verb, and Donald Duck, and you do it with a skill and expertise that would make The Edge proud. However, despite your euphoria, you can't help but wonder if the dropped drum sticks and gaping mouths on the stage are indicating that something other than the celebration of your awesomeness is occurring.
So Yoda, what do you do?
What happens during that conflict can be quite telling of the health of a team.
Both scenarios describe a situation of conflict, one largely internal, one largely not. Though these two examples may or may not be ridiculous in form, I am sure you would agree that such moments of awkwardness occur within the ‘tech' and ‘talent' teaming found within the church. Sometimes they come from artistic differences. Sometimes they come from communication issues. And unfortunately, sometimes they come from a lack of familiarity or trust. What happens during that conflict can be quite telling of the health of a team. It is easy to assume that relationships are strong simply because they are productive or because they are creative. Sometimes it isn't until things are going sideways that we get a true picture of the reality of a relationship. I've often heard that the management and resolution of conflict within a team defines the success of the teaming. I believe that is wrong. Rather, I believe that the management and resolution of conflict within a team testifies to the success (or failure) of the teaming. What flows out of those moments is the result of the relationship; it is not the definition of it.
God himself not only modeled this for us in scripture, He demonstrated it throughout the entire foundation of our faith. We created conflict with God through our disobedience in the Garden. In response God, through Christ, executed a plan of redemption, one full of sacrifice and humility. This plan did not define His Love for us; it was a result of His love for us. It was that relationship, that love, which guided the resolution of our sin conflict, not the other way around.
So what is the application to us as techs? Where does it lead us? I think it leads us to ask ourselves if we are relationally teamed with those with whom we serve, i.e. ‘the band'. Sometimes we banter about the idea that techs are part of the band. I think, at some level, most of us techies would agree to that. I think a very large percentage of worship bands and worship leaders would agree to that. After all, techs apply their artistic talents with as much passion and expertise as the person setting the groove or the vocalist leading the congregation. In most settings there is an acknowledged co-dependence between ‘tech' and ‘talent' that causes us to come together in collaboration of service.
But do collaboration and interdependence in and of themselves help with our Yoda problem? I don't think so. There must be a relational component to our teaming that can be used as a basis for our interactions and understanding of each other. Having a healthy and personal relationship with one other better allows us to serve together, worship together, and resolve conflict together, and to do so in a manner that is honoring to God. In context of our examples, who would you rather tell you that your verb was poorly done, someone you see every third week, or someone whose heart you know? Who do you think the musicians would rather get feedback from, the tech that seemingly lives under the console, or the person with whom they just had lunch? For me it is very much the latter. I suspect that it is for you as well. This idea is attested to in Proverbs where we are reminded that the wounds from a friend are faithful to us. It says that it is better to be torn down in love than falsely lifted up outside of love. [Prov 27:6 - Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.] To me this draws a beautiful picture of the power of authentic relationship.
So how do we get there? How do we get into that kind of relationship with our counterparts in the front of the auditorium? We all know that techs, seemingly by nature, don't always do a good job at ‘community.' At least that's what the stereotype would seem to indicate. But maybe that's not the entire picture of reality. I think God has stacked the deck in our favor in a way that is undeniable. Genesis tells us that we are made in His image, one that in some incomprehensible way exists in the community of the Trinity. [Gen 1:26] We are meant to live in community amongst ourselves. It's built in. Entering into authentic relationship with those who are also in the body, in service of God, is quite frankly, the point of everything we do.
I do believe that for some of us getting there is easier than others, but for all of us, it is something that we are meant to do. It is something we are equipped for at some basic level. If creating new relationships is tough for you let me offer an observation that in my experience is the rule more than the exception. The relationship between a band and a tech will fall very closely to the relationship modeled between the tech and the worship leader. It will fall even closer to the relationship modeled between the tech director and the worship pastor. This is somewhat akin to parents modeling a healthy relationship to their family.
I have worked with different worship pastors and leaders over the years and have experienced the gamut of relationship types, some great, some not so great. Currently I am blessed with a worship pastor whom I first call friend and second call LWD (Lead Worship Dude). I can tell you that over the years we have had some tough conflict that wasn't always pleasant. But in all cases it is a blessing to be able to work through those conflicts in the context of knowing the other's heart. That kind of relationship very easily flows down to the teams and over time can help in building relationships based on community and honesty. In my case, my relationship with the LWD has allowed me to form some great relationships with the band that I would have not otherwise had. If you are having problems relating or communicating with the ‘talent' side of the organization let me suggest that you reach out to the leader that you feel most comfortable with and simply take them out for coffee or some other easy social encounter. Spending time forming community with those with whom we serve not only pays off in our ability to effectively serve God, it also builds for us the community that He designed us to be part of.
