I'm not sure if it's a match made in heaven, but there's a relationship that exists in the local church world that is essential. Without it, our weekend services would be constant train wrecks.
It's the relationship between the worship team and the tech team.
Both teams are essential, but they don't always get along. Let's bring a few of the tensions out into the open.
When something goes wrong, it's usually the tech team that gets blamed. Matter of fact, the only time they are ever recognized is usually for something negative. Everyone can see the worship team. They're on a stage, under the lights. There's a certain glamor that is part of the position. The tech team is hidden. While the musicians are on stage producing the sound, the tech team has the control. Their skill as front-of-house engineers can make all the difference in how the music feels, translates, communicates. Because of this, there can be a certain back-biting that can happen between these two camps. Musicians want their mixes to sound a certain way and the techies are trying to decipher how deep the diva-like activity will continue on stage. Like I said, it's a relationship that needs to happen every week, but doesn't always work together in unity.
But what if they did work together? What if there was a sense of partnership, unity, respect, and vision that brought everyone together for the ministry that is Sunday morning? That's what I want to see happen. And that's why this article exists. You're probably reading this because you're someone who wants to bridge the gap. Maybe you're part of your tech team and are wondering how your teams could work together better. Whatever the case, I've written these five steps to help you move in that direction. That's what steps are for, right? To move you in a new direction - a new place, different than where you are right now. Don't feel overwhelmed. This article is here to serve you one step at a time. Small progress is better than no progress. One step is better than dreaming about change and not doing anything about it. Your teams can work together in unity. It must happen, it can happen, it will happen. Here we go.
1.Respect One Another - There are a lot of techie worship leaders. I'm not one of them. I mean, I know how to turn the lights on and I know there are faders on the soundboard, but beyond that, I'm lost. Because of that, I've learned to respect the tech guys behind the scenes. Their work is art just as much as mine is. Their contribution is just as essential. Alone, I'm nothing special. But together as a team, we can really make a difference. It's this kind of respect that needs to happen in your team between musicians and techies. It's not productive to mandate it, but you can cast vision for a culture of respect. Bring your teams together and shine a bright light on why respect is essential. Cast vision for it, live it, breathe it, expect it, celebrate it. You'll start to see a difference.
2. Compliment Like Crazy - Appreciation never spoken is no appreciation at all. You'd be surprised how far a simple, spoken encouragement can go. "Hey Danny, your mix this week was one of the best yet. Keep up the good work." "Jill, the timing with which you advanced the lyric slides was perfect. Keep rocking it." Be lavish with how you praise others. It creates the culture for further creativity and excellent performance to happen.
3. Plan a "Spotlight On Ministry" Sunday - If you lead a ministry in the church, you know there's always a need for more volunteers. What if, on a given Sunday, you highlighted the tech team? What if you mobilized your current team members to work together and recruit new people on the weekend? Doing this creates excitement in your team. No one wants to be a part of a static, never-moving team.
4. Do A Project Together - When we recorded our first live worship album, there was a tremendous amount of excitement between our worship team and our tech team. We were doing something big together. Everyone had skin in the game. We were making something happen that had potential to influence thousands of lives, drawing them closer to Jesus. I'm not saying you have to record a live album, but you could. Or do something simple - add a couple new lights to your stage. Plan a big worship night where everyone is needed. Plan a day of ministry where you serve a community together. Do something outside the box. It's amazing how this will bring people together.
5. Gather Together - What if, when the worship got together, the tech team came together as well? What if you treated both teams with equal, special, attention? This will help both teams feel appreciated and part of the worship experience. Because in all honesty we need both - we need all hands on deck to make this happen.
Imagine the possibilities. When we work together in unity, there's no stopping what God can do through a team. There's too much at stake for the back-biting, disrespect, and tensions to continue.
People need to experience the presence of God. The gathered church needs to see Jesus. That's why we are volunteering our gifts. It's not just so we can have something to do. It's not just so we can be used. It's so we can offer what we've been given to shine a brighter spotlight upon the glory of God and get out of the way when His people are enraptured by it.
What do you say we work together to that end?
