Top 5 Gift Ideas for Church Tech Volunteers

“You Should Have!” Your tech team members may not say it, but this is what they’ll be thinking when you fork over a Christmas gift they can actually use.

by Andy McMillan

12.01.22

12:00 AM

Oh tech Christmas Tree, Oh tech Christmas Tree, thy knobs are ever turning. All too often the church tech folks are so busy during Christmas because of all the extra elements to holiday services, they forget to do something special for their teams. So, in the spirit of Christmas, here are a few suggestions to stuff the sound booth (I mean stockings) of those whom we love most.

The Mighty Mug

One of the saddest parts of serving on a Sunday morning tech team is that most churches don’t want techs to have drinks in the booth. The rule definitely makes sense given the dollar amount spent to stock the booth, but it's also frustrating to those who just need a caffeine fix. This is where the Mighty Mug comes in. It’s the unspillable mug for those who serve in the tech booth. Starting at $16.99 per person, the tech team can energize themselves while also keeping the Macs, console and lighting controller safe. The Mighty Mug can be found on Amazon and it comes in Production black.

Get the Mighty Mug >>

An MixU subscription

Get sound engineers the gift that keeps on giving, a subscription to MixU or any other online training. All too often, churches don’t invest in their teams enough, but this is a gift that will provide church techs with something that will help them grow and feel like what they do matters. MixU is a program specifically designed for churches that provides well designed tutorials to help equip church sound engineers. This can be purchased at any time and comes to about $39.99 per month for 1-5 users. It's worth the investment.

Get the MixU Subscription >>

Custom church tech gear

Nothing says church tech like production team swag (stuff we all get). Whether it's a hat that says Church name Production Team, or a shirt that says, It's ok, I'm with the band, there is something about apparel for a team that makes them feel appreciated, and more importantly, official. There are tons of companies that will do a rush shirt printing and even help with the design if that is needed. This doesn't have to be clothing either. It could be a water bottle or a backpack.

One tip for buying shirts: don’t buy cheap. Get quality-feeling shirts. There is nothing worse than being given a shirt that looks good until it's washed and it is now misshapen. While there isn't a specific company being recommended for this gift, make sure the quality of the shirt picked out feels nice, is pre-shrunk and has a cool design.

Bluetooth headphones

Sometimes, it’s nice for the gift to have nothing to do with what they do, but simply to appreciate those serving. Quality-sounding Bluetooth headphones are now more affordable, and it's something everyone uses. One option would be the JBL 125TWS that are around $50. There are also pretty good sounding headphones on Amazon in the $25-$35 range including the Sony XB400’s.

Get the JBL 125 TWS Bluetooth Headphones >>

Get the Sony XB4 Bluetooth Headphones >>

Regardless of the type of gift placed underneath the production Christmas tree, it truly is the thought that counts. Those who serve in the church tech area often feel overlooked or forgotten. Showing a little thought towards them can go a long way toward ensuring their desire to serve. Happy Tech Shopping!

Comments (3)

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Maybe it's my age, but these things are borderline idiotic.

'Caffeine fix'? Yes, I drink coffee, but if you have to have it near electronics it indicates to me that you really have to make a choice between 'coffee' and 'work'. I find it horrible when people go into the Sanctuary with food/drink, people aren't there to be 'entertained', this isn't a 'movie' or 'entertainment', you are there for education, regeneration, and worship. I mean, they have signs outside the gas pumps that you are to turn off your car before refueling.

Having something to imbibe on takes your attention away from why you're there and distracts from giving your full undivided attention to the message. Unless you have a child that is below the Age of Accountability, you don't need a distraction. If you need it, you should just stay home and watch whatever you want on TV.

I also believe that T-shirts in church are not acceptable. In the early days, we wore suits, and I would be *drenched* (air conditioning was not as commonplace as it is today), but it was to 'set the tone'. T-shirts tell the rest of the congregation that this is one step below "Let's Make A Deal" (dressed as you are), dress like a clown, we don't care...

I remember my mother (a nurse) would wear her nurse's hat even when the hospital was dropping their requirement to wear them, where did everybody go to when they had a question? My mother... Doctors, patients and family would all beeline to her (LPN) instead of the RN next to her, other nurses would complain and finally the doctors all told them to either wear a hat or get used to it. They decided to 'get used to it'...unbelievable...

If you have to give/take gifts to do your ministry, maybe you need to find another ministry...

David more than 1 year ago

Promotional...

David, I appreciate the thoughts on professionalism and "dressing the part". I still wear a sportscoat if in front of the congregation, but never a suit anymore. It would make unrelatable and appear aloof to a group of 20-30 year old's that are looking for a place to plug in and belong. We need to reach the next generation of believers. It is a lot of hours doing ministry as a volunteer and those people need to be appreciated. If they don't feel that way, you will be in the tech booth doing it all every time the doors are open. Some of us like that, but if you are truly doing the tech duty and well, you are not getting fed and hearing the word. You are focused on the presentation aspect and making sure to not be a distraction. If being clean and presentable allows for more volunteers than requiring suits, I am ok with that. This will allow people to have opportunities to worship and not always be working.

cliff more than 1 year ago

Television made me what I am today

I wish there was a way of signaling when there is a reply...

Sadly, I see the 'next generation' and I shake my head with their lack of respect ('Let It All Hang Out' - The Hombres [1967]). We are in trouble...

I'm a firm believer that the more automation we can do, the better! When I was in charge at my last church (had to move due to work), I ran *everything* -- every. single. week.

PTZ's were my friend...and they had become the congregationals' too...and soon! No more wondering if and when 'Bob', 'Mary' or 'Jeff' are going to make it today...David did...and that's all we need!

For me, it's actually very relaxing to be in my 'catacomb' and not have to be out in front. I look at myself as the 'angel' from the old 'Life is Worth Living' series that was presented by the late Bishop Fulton J. Sheen (known as 'Uncle Fultie' to some of us).

I've had people want to learn what I do, my rule has been that on the first encounter, they watch and don't ask questions until the end (I give them paper to write), but I never have to worry about a second encounter because they don't want to do it - I've had them say to me, 'That's too much effort...forget it!' In my mind I say to myself, 'yup, it *is* a lot of effort...' BTW, that's the reason I went to the 'shut up and listen' method, I would try to teach as I was doing my trapeze act and they would say that at the end anyway, I figured...why waste my breath?