by Jeff Barnett
Advent is right around the corner. It won’t be long until the season of special services, special music, special rehearsals, and special tech needs is upon us. Here are six ways you can make sure your church’s tech is ready for the season:
1) Learn from the past.
It seems like Easter was just a few weeks ago. Take advantage of all of the planning you’ve done for Easter and for Christmases past. What went wrong? Are there mistakes can you learn from? If you had it all to do over, what would you do differently this time?
2) Think through your stage and lighting design.
How will your lights and stage sets tell the story? What changes are required from your “normal” setup? Will you need any new lights, or will you need to move or re-program existing ones? Where will you put the band, the mics, and the monitors? “I don’t remember there being a drum shield next to the manger.”
3) Make your tech team part of the planning.
As early as possible, bring your technical volunteers to the table when ideas are being discussed. It will be much easier to avoid the “That’s not going to work” ideas, and maybe even turn them into “You know what would be cool?” ideas. Tech volunteers will definitely appreciate the extra insight this gives them, and the extra time to prepare.
4) Schedule your staff.
This is a busy time of year for everybody. Don’t wait until all of the other details are sorted out to schedule your volunteers. I’ll never forget a few years ago when my worship pastor and I talked about Christmas plans in early November, but by the time we actually scheduled a tech rehearsal in mid-December, many of our key people had made other plans. (The nerve!)
5) Secure your gear early!
Of course, at Sweetwater, we do our best to stock up before Christmas on the most common last-minute items like wireless microphones, cables, and stands. We’ll be shipping right up until Dec. 23rd. But you can avoid the stress and expense of last-minute gear acquisition by planning ahead. As you’re planning, think through how this year’s services and events will stretch your gear.
6) Remember the reason.
Finally, don’t forget why we do this. As I say all the time when I teach church sound volunteers, nobody came to hear you mix. Nobody will be saved by the lighting design, or by the kick drum EQ (masterful though it may be). Remember the love of Christ, and remember to treat your congregation and the other members of your team with grace, mercy, and love this Christmas season.
