Let's look at a common problem. As you get closer to “crunch time” for each service, the clock seems to quicken as the congregation enters the auditorium, we are often confronted with last minute problems and requests.
The battery in the bass player's DI needs to be changed and he doesn't have a screwdriver. The guitarist just decided to use a different instrument and needs a new sound check...and probably a change in EQ, dynamics, effects and monitor levels. The piano was judged to be out of tune, so the piano score will now be played on an e-board that's being brought to the church by someone's wife. Don't worry, she lives nearby and will be here soon. But it must be in stereo, so you'll need two more DI's. All this when you were intending to grab a coffee, visit the restroom, and mentally prepare for calmly mixing the service. Guess again.
You can, of course, do your best to forestall such last minute events through careful preparation, communication, and – at some point – the willingness to say “no” to something that just can't be done in the available time frame. But how does that make you feel? How does it make the others who are relying on you feel? Not so good, I venture to guess. But what can be done?
Here are some tried and true missives to will help you navigate the murky waters of impending doom: First and always, remain calm. Extremely calm. Practice this. As soon as you start to show signs of unraveling, the other stakeholders will reflect your panic, probably ten-fold. And that's the beginning of the end.
Do not say, “I can't do that right now” in a stressed out voice, or, “I only have two hands!” Instead, make calming and reassuring statements such as, “Let's see if we can get to that shortly,” or “Please check to see if the batteries we need are in the storage locker- it's right over there - while I fix this cable,” etc. Church is no place for prima donna performers who cannot pitch in and help, especially when last minute problems arise.
Whenever you stop one task to engage in another, even if it's just making a battery run, you risk further distraction that can lead to becoming confused about what has to be done, and that which is merely desirable.
And that leads us to triage... As in the medical profession, the role of the audio supervisor or production manager includes making the critical decisions about what must be done, what should be done; that which will make the service better but is not essential; and that which ‘might be nice' in order to make a musician or other participant a little bit happier. Triage is simply the process of assigning a level of importance to each request that comes your way. Practice it! Too often, I've seen an audio operator get pulled in the wrong direction by politely responding to a request that was non-essential, while the main sound system was experiencing serious issues as the service began.
How does God feel about this?
God does not expect perfection from equipment and personnel. People may be expecting perfection, but assuredly God is not. God wants everyone present to first be as present as possible. Physically showing up is only a start. Being engaged and alert is something completely different than simply being there.
In the case of the media staff this means basking in the light of Christ, hearing the word of God expressed through the Ministry, while simultaneously performing the myriad tasks that help the entire congregation receive all that they can. This is God's work and it's important!
If you, as a working member of the tech team ministry, detach from, delay, or defer your own spiritual journey because you've become too caught up in the details of technology and operations, you are not honoring God's plan. Your gift of competence and knowledge is admirable, but must not overshadow Spirit.
As you work, if you allow the word and Spirit to enter your consciousness and guide you, you will know that you always did the absolute best that you could, regardless of how it may appear to others.
This does not mean to ignore the work and focus only on the message. That is not what we're saying! Instead, be present, do the work, enjoy the work, solve as many problems as you can, pay close – even fanatical attention – to the mix and the balance of the various loudspeakers in the room. Be sharply aware of what's happening on stage, how stage monitor requirements may change as levels change, and so on...but never cease to remember why you are there in the first place. You are there to help the ministry achieve its goals while also being ministered to yourself.
When you're mixing, or operating a camera, or walking the room to balance the speaker system, try to take in the energy from the stage, whether it's music or spoken word. Receive it as a gift from those generating it, even as they receive your gift of facilitating their need for their work to be clearly, distinctly, and musically delivered to the congregation.
If you do so with 100% attention and integrity, then you are honoring the gifts that God gave you. You will be honoring the Ministry that you're part of. And you will assuredly be honoring God.
