A complete worship experience requires preparing both our physical and spiritual input lists. Photo by River from Pexels.
One defining characteristic of a tech leader is the attention to detail; our weekly planning is just as busy as our Sundays. Of our duties includes pulling together the input list for the band, and setting the stage accordingly. It is this intentional organizing of details that ensures the band gets properly patched and in turn our sound engineers end up with the optimal setup from which to create the mix. I know many audio techs who take great pride in setting the perfect stage with perfectly laid cabling and color-coded faders to match. But how many of us are just as intentional about our spiritual preparedness for the weekend? In the same way that we prepare our console, Christ calls us to prepare spiritually in order to properly serve him. Therefore, what might a spiritual input list for church techs look like?
I know many audio techs who take great pride in setting the perfect stage with perfectly laid cabling and color-coded faders to match. But how many of us are just as intentional about our spiritual preparedness for the weekend?
1-Drums: Jesus. Like the drums, Jesus is the solid rock keeping us on track. Psalm 62:2 states that we are to trust in him because he is our rock and stronghold; with him we will not be shaken. Jesus is the heartbeat to everything we as Christians do and the window through which we are to view our role. Just as the drums establish the tempo and mood, our walk with Christ establishes the way in which we will interact with others and discipline ourselves. This applies to our attitude in meetings, stewardship of resources, and investing into our team. Grounding ourselves in him is the backbone to our spiritual mix.
2-Bass: Scripture. The bass connects the drums to the band, grounding and gelling the mix together. Daily reading of Scripture does the same. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). In this verse, Paul is not simply stating that Scripture is good for our moral character, but it has a tangible effect on the work we do. It allows us to properly teach others, combat false truths so that what we present about Christ is biblically sound, and allows us to build up our team in the faith.
3-Acoustic Guitar: Fellowship. Authentic, earthy, and dynamic, the acoustic is the mainstay to the rhythmic grouping. It plays well with others. It can take the lead as well as play a supporting role. Fellowship with believers works the same for us. We are called to fellowship in order to be guided as well as to guide others. Where we fall, others can lift us up. When others are hurting, we are helping. Investing the community of believers who we are entrusted to oversee allows the team to accomplish God’s goals with the worship service.
4-Electric Guitar: Counsel. Great electric is about great tone. There is a freedom within constraint. There is the ability to shine, while still sitting in with the team. If not harnessed, however, it can ruin the mix, distracting from the holistic feel common to modern worship music. When we are unable to harness ourselves, beginning to think of the tech booth in personal terms like “my booth” or “my mix,” we too can distract and destroy. This is where counsel is important. Whether it be from our pastors, small groups, other brothers or sisters in Christ, or our spouses, we need to share our struggles and challenges. The ability handle conflict positively not only ensures that we do not harbor resentment that could lead to negatively impacting the service quality, it also tangibly demonstrates that we value the team and God over any situation or issue.
5-Keys/Pad: Rest & Comfort. As important as it is to manage the action, it is important to rest. Keys and pad offer comfort and serenity to the general mix, and create ambiance under the pastoral prayer. The same happens when we take a regular Sabbath. God created the Sabbath for humanity (Matthew 2:27), for our good. Rest allows us cleanse mentally and physically in order to be fully available to serve him. It is the easiest to spiritual discipline to overlook, because we are always forward thinking to the next weekend, but like the keys and pad, it is essential to set the overall worship mood by resetting ourselves.
6-Lead Vox: Evangelism. Being clear in our message is the ultimate goal; being able to bring others to Christ is our mission (Matthew 28:16–20). Like the lead vocal, the gospel of Christ should sit on top of everything else. When we are constantly working on presenting the weekend worship message, it is easy to neglect evangelism in our daily lives. It’s all too easy to turn off presenting Christ when we turn off our work. Evangelism isn’t the token Facebook photo standing at the console with the stage in the distance. It is personally connecting with the lost, sharing the good news of Christ, and inviting them to experience the weekend with you. While it’s exciting to mix a great set, it is even more powerful to see others sitting in the congregation worshiping Christ who we personally invited into the experience.
7-BGV: Service. Background vocals are the complement to the lead. They complete the harmonies and fill in the melodic and vocal gaps. They serve to enhance the lead vocals. Just as we lead our team, we do so through serving them. Just as we work to present the pastoral vision through the weekend production, we do so through serving them. Peter writes that “as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). Our skillset was not given for our good, but the good of others. Thus, each time we step into the tech booth—even as paid staff—it ought to be viewed as a sacrificial act of service, giving of ourselves all that is required for its success. Lost souls in the congregation are eternally depending upon us.
8-Talkback: Prayer. While we often see a gap between production and platform, it is essential there is bi-directional communication. The needs of both the musicians and the tech booth can only be met when each side is aware of what the other side requires. The same is true with our relationship with God. Therefore, remaining in conversation with Christ through prayer is essential (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer does not change our situation, it changes us. It informs our decisions and allows us to make petition. It allows us to view our lives through God’s eyes.
A quality mix is not a haphazard assembly of instruments shoved through the loudspeakers, but a fine-tuned arrangement of individual elements. Perfecting the optimal sound of each input takes persistent training and skillful focus. It takes communication with the team and full understanding of the pastoral vision. It takes knowing God and knowing what God requires of us. Therefore, a complete worship experience requires preparing both our physical and spiritual input lists.
