I am often amazed at the number of TDs who express how alone they feel in their church, a place where the cries of family, welcoming and open arms are continually proclaimed from the pulpit and new-member info cards. The tech booth is often viewed as a place of sanctuary where techs find and express their identity, and where outsiders are not allowed. It is their safe place.
Yet, is it actually the walls of the booth itself, or our own lack of understanding where we fit into the purpose of the “Big-C” Church that forms the boundaries between “us” and “them,” creating the feelings of being boxed in and alone?
Affirmation
No doubt, in many churches the tech team and tech director are often less-valued than other ministries and ministry leaders. Yet, our worth is not found through the opinions of others, but through our identity in Christ. For indeed, “[We] are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that [we] may proclaim the praises of the one who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
The tech booth is not a place of hiding, but it is our nation that we rule over in the name of the Lord, so that as his, all that God has done for us and through us can be proclaimed in order to bring others into his kingdom. No other place in the church does so much “light” come out of a room that is continually kept so physically “dark.” Out of us, out of our creations, the light of God is materially and tangibly proclaimed to our respective congregations. Out of us, God is able to change the hearts of the lost and broken. Out of us, God will add to his kingdom. While other ministries may proclaim themselves as “the light” to the world (Matthew 5:14-16), it is only we who actually shine real light on the delivery of the message of Christ, bringing the Word to life.Our identity is therefore defined by both our hearts and our actions. While in almost every church the tech team is lumped in with the worship team—often reporting to the worship pastor because a majority of our budgets are indeed spent on perfecting the sound and visuals of the songs and worship set. Unlike the worship band, our job does not end once there are no more lyric slides to advance, and 30 band faders drop to the pastor’s one. We are as much a part of the pastoral message as we are the worship team. Indeed, which would be criticized and garner more attention, a little feedback or light going out during the worship set, or during the sermon? The answer to that question alone ought to let us know how important and valued we are to God and his purposes.
Blessed responsibility
When I read 2 Corinthians 5:20, I see our roles in action: “We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us,” physically through our tech booth, our mics, our mix, our lighting, and our hearts. Paul continues: so be “reconciled to God” (v.20b), and let the change he made in you, be the strength with which you perform your craft on behalf of the people of God. So, when we hunker down in the booth, it is our choice whether the walls are solid, boxing us in, or clear as crystal, allowing the light to shine out, so that others can seek and find God (Jeremiah 29:13), being the refuge where the lost and broken are redeemed (Psalm 34:22).
