One of the downsides of technical ministry is that it can sometimes feel monotonous: the same routine, over and over again, week in and week out. As such, it’s not uncommon for us as technicians to sort of take our roles for granted.
It’s probably the inevitable side effect of routine, where you get to a certain point that you can do a lot of things mindlessly and without expending a ton of mental effort.Unfortunately, the longer that persists, the easier it becomes to fall into a pattern of cynicism, lack of motivation, or mental disconnectedness.
This is where I think the recent national crisis has the ability to bring a much-needed adrenaline shot in the arm for many of us. When our “normal” gets so broadly shaken and redefined, it can provide a jolt to get us out of our mental rut.
Here are three ways we can use this time to relearn what it means to be grateful for our abundant blessings.
… the recent national crisis has the abitity to bring a much-needed adrenaline shot in the arm for many of us.
Remember our True Impact
When our ministry roles start to feel like a routine job, it becomes natural to focus more on the task side of what we do and lose sight of the people impact we have. We begin to show up each week, seeing only knobs and faders.
But during this time of crisis, society tends to look to churches for hope. The attendance and visibility of churches can increase as people are hungrier and thirstier than usual for answers, guidance, and peace.I pray that during this season, we’re all able to grasp how critical our roles are. We are the gatekeepers that help create opportunities for people to engage the presence of God.
Recharge our Teams
Like many in tech, I’m an introvert. I get recharged with solitude and being by myself. So during the weekends, it can sometimes be emotionally draining to engage with and lead teams during services.Week after week, we can get annoyed or perturbed with the same team members bringing their same baggage to the booth, right? But isn’t it amazing that when we lose something, we then finally realize how much we actually miss it or need it?Despite the oddities some of our team members bring to the table, we really do love, value, and appreciate them.
Ramp up Respect for our Leaders
Admit it: on at least one occasion, your worship pastor or senior pastor has probably gotten under your skin.They have different personalities, different perspectives, and different vision than you have. They may stick to their guns and have a hard time making you feel appreciated and valued. Their expectations are high, their praise may be low, and their feedback may be inconsistent.It’s easy to let that turn into resentment.And then a national pandemic happens. And the most important person on the church team becomes the tech guy. They are the only ones that can get the message recorded, online, and the online donation set up. Finally—we feel like we matter. And people are listening to our opinions for once.
And yet, we need to remain humble. I can’t begin to imagine the weight that’s on the shoulders of a senior pastor or campus pastor during a time like this. Not only do they carry the constant stress of making sure the church continues and is financially stable, but there’s a tremendous daily burden of providing pastoral care and guidance for numerous people who are hurting. All across the country, the realities of this natural crisis are hitting every community hard. So, there’s nothing better that I can do right now than to pray for those leaders myself, encourage and support them, and do everything I can to take weight off their shoulders so their lives can be as manageable as possible. This is a difficult season for all of us, for sure. Yet, even despite the difficulty, it can be a season we are thankful for.