Church production staff members and volunteers work day in and day out to help make worship services into quality, memorable experiences. Yet, every one of us have experienced that Friday night call when our pastor asks for a little “special something” for the weekend. With the schedule that most of us keep, that “little something extra” can turn into a stressful, intimidating, draining experience for us. This is especially true for those volunteer tech leaders with families.
Because technical people are always “in the trenches” handling logistical work, it can be easy to feel frustrated, used, unappreciated, overworked, and after a while, burned out. I know I have felt this way sometimes. When I begin to feel this way there are typically two reasons: I have stopped breaking bread with other believers, and I have forgotten why I am doing what I do.
Between that microphone that won't behave, the dimmer pack that always gives trouble, and the camera guy who insists on always taking too wide of a shot, it is easy to forget why we do what we do.
Why is fellowship so important?
One area where most tech people make a mistake is when it comes to fellowshipping with those we serve. Now I know that it seems backwards to suggest for you to do more when you are already too busy, but this is highly important.
One of the most common reasons tech people get burned out is simply because church becomes just another job, rather than what it was intended to be. The church was created to be a place of fellowship and a place where people are encouraged in the faith. For those who are living in the production booth during services, this rarely happens around worship time. Because this does not happen during church it is imperative that it happen out of the normal Sunday morning experience.
If serving as a sound, lighting, or video tech is all you really do at the church, then you are almost guaranteed to get burned out. However, if you make time to fellowship with those you are serving with or others, away from your time serving, then it will energize you to continue to serve God with your gifts.
Keeping your eyes on the prize
Between that microphone that won't behave, the dimmer pack that always gives trouble, and the camera guy who insists on always taking too wide of a shot, it is easy to forget why we do what we do. Let's be honest, most of us don't even pay attention to the message half the time. We're too busy making things happen to really catch the main idea of what the pastor is saying. It is not on purpose, it just happens that way. Often we are too busy knob turning, programming, and slide switching to see and hear all of what is going on all around us: Life Change. God is changing lives through our churches. He is. Half the time we miss it, but that does not mean it isn't taking place. The best part of it is that we contribute to a large part of it. We help create the environment where people experience the presence of God.
Paul told us in Hebrews 12 that we throw off the weight that so easily pulls us down by keeping our eyes on Jesus.
When I get tired and burned out I can't help but think about everything that God is doing in the life of my church. And I want to give you a challenge for this Sunday. When your pastor asks for a response, whether it be hands raised or people coming down to an altar, I want you to look at all of the people you have helped bring closer to Jesus. Yes, I am giving you permission to peek when the pastor says bow your head. You are part of that process—of every raised hand or soul headed forward. When we focus on this truth, then it is much harder to become tired and burned out.
Paul told us in Hebrews 12 that we throw off the weight that so easily pulls us down by keeping our eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on what you are doing for Jesus and you won't be weighed down. Make time for fellowship no matter how busy you are, and look and see that you are partnering to change other people's eternity.
