Last summer we talked about the structure, the hierarchy of the Tech Team positions, and we redefined some of the position’s job descriptions for clarity, and for better effectiveness. One of the major paradigm shift’s for us last summer was in the Producer’s chair. We gave this volunteer position more authority on Sundays, and my role once the clock starts ticking is to be A1 only so I can focus on that duty. I think this has worked well, and you guys have really stepped it up and been bold in making calls quickly and effectively. That’s EXACTLY what we asked of you. Thanks so much for all of you being flexible and willing to make these kinds of changes.
The one casualty of this shift seems to have been the way my role is viewed on Sunday mornings. I believe this failure is my responsibility, and due to the way I have attempted to give ownership to you. I would like to do a couple of practical things to correct this. Namely, starting in August we will make a change to the weekly schedule. Line check will be moved to 6:40am, with a quick 10 minute production meeting at 6:50am with all members in the booth.
Revised Sun AM schedule will look like this:
6:30am – techs arrive for setup
6:40am – line check
6:50am – tech pre-production meeting/questions/90 second mini-devotion with ALL techs (Eric/Producer)
7:00am – mic check/band check
7:10am – Praise Band runs through songs
7:40am – all quiet in the house/mic up speaker (sound check if guest)
7:45am – walk-in music begins/tech double check then prayer (Producer)
7:56am – greet
8:00am – service starts!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Complaining is Contagious, Encouragement Grows!
The Old Testament is full of the account of God judging His people for complaining. In particular, God is not a fan of complaints and grumblings against him, but He is also not happy with complaining and grumbling against human leadership. In Numbers Chapter 16, they complained against Aaron and Moses. God’s response? A plague that killed over 14,000 of them.
Sorry to begin with the negative. Just wanted to get your attention. For the most part, our team really serves joyfully without grumbling and complaining and you are a great encouragement to each other. Typically if grumbling or complaining happens it starts at the top with leadership, and it is incredibly contagious. My strong desire is to reproduce an attitude of “grace”. That word may have lost some if its meaning to us. What I mean is that our actions exemplify that we are recipients of God’s unmerited favor. To do so, we must show that same gift to others.
I want to tackle one topic specifically here, and I want this to be crystal clear. When we are on Com in our “own little world”, lets be very careful and deliberate about our speech. We must keep our chatter professional, and void of opinions about musicians or anyone else delivering a message on stage. Now, that’s not to say we can’t cut up a little and make each other snicker. That’s half the fun of being on the Com, I must admit. But, specifically, I want us to be careful not create an “us & them” world. When those folks are on stage, they are up front to deliver God’s personal message to this flock, and our role is support. So, I want us to keep that ever up front in our minds. We are supporting the delivery of the message.
Along with this, if there is ever a dispute about media, content, punctuality, etc – the person on the stage wins. Period. If we need to hash it out and talk about a resolution to a conflict, this happens AFTER the services are all over. Conflict resolution is not something we’re going to do during the service. This is not professional, and it will only cause an unnecessary and uncomfortable distraction with the person or group who needs to be focused on delivering the message through song or text.
My role as the AVL Manager is to be your shield, and with me out of Com and using my ears to mix, the best time for me to go to bat for you is after the service is over. So, please let me do that for you. Also, remember, if something has gotten you frustrated, and you take it upon yourself to confront, you will get someone else riled up. The best time to resolve a conflict is after both parties have cooled down and the blood is back in your brain. It’s a physiological fact man!
Another issue related to Com communication. I really need everyone to step up and follow the direction of the Producer immediately and without hesitation. This will become increasingly important in the coming months as our leadership is contemplating a major technology update that will greatly augment both our ability and our responsibility. The time it takes to ask, “are you sure you want me to…” is a missed opportunity. It’s a missed mic cue, a missed camera shot, a missed opportunity to fix a technical issue that may end up being WAY more noticeable if we are doing it 15-30 seconds later than the Producer calls it.
If the Producer makes a call, right or wrong, go with it. If there is fallout from a bad decision made about a change, a correction, moving a prop, fixing a microphone, or any other technical decision we make that causes a problem – the AVL Manager takes full responsibility for it. I believe when we operate this way, it allows everyone to be more “professional” and to relax and serve with joy. I want this to be a fun place where we continue to grow closer as a team and have a blast serving. It’s a huge responsibility, and we need to take it serious, but no one needs to fear being chewed out by someone on the stage. So, when the Producer makes a call, move it on quickly, and we’ll debrief AFTER the service if we need to. After the Producer makes a call is not the time to discuss whether it’s a good idea or not.
I LOVE This Team!!!
OK – so I don’t want this to sound all negative. You guys amaze me at how well you roll with changes and equipment that is hanging on by chewing gum and McGuyver’d baling wire. There have been plenty of times where I would have liked to have had the block of C4 that McGuyver would magically pull from his backpack (for the video system). You guys give of your time and serve selflessly and I am so thankful for each one of you. I want to do my job here to the best of my ability for God’s glory and continue to support the ministry of Colonial – shouldered up with you men and women.
The relationship we have with each other as a tech team is important. But lets be diligent to also build and nurture the relationship we have with the folks on the stage. Learn their names. Tell them they sounded great, or that their message encouraged you. Tell them which song was your favorite. But, mainly, I challenge you to make a connection with someone on stage this week by encouraging them or learning a new name.
Working with you people on Sunday is truly the highlight of my work week!
Sorry to begin with the negative. Just wanted to get your attention. For the most part, our team really serves joyfully without grumbling and complaining and you are a great encouragement to each other. Typically if grumbling or complaining happens it starts at the top with leadership, and it is incredibly contagious. My strong desire is to reproduce an attitude of “grace”. That word may have lost some if its meaning to us. What I mean is that our actions exemplify that we are recipients of God’s unmerited favor. To do so, we must show that same gift to others.
I want to tackle one topic specifically here, and I want this to be crystal clear. When we are on Com in our “own little world”, lets be very careful and deliberate about our speech. We must keep our chatter professional, and void of opinions about musicians or anyone else delivering a message on stage. Now, that’s not to say we can’t cut up a little and make each other snicker. That’s half the fun of being on the Com, I must admit. But, specifically, I want us to be careful not create an “us & them” world. When those folks are on stage, they are up front to deliver God’s personal message to this flock, and our role is support. So, I want us to keep that ever up front in our minds. We are supporting the delivery of the message.
Along with this, if there is ever a dispute about media, content, punctuality, etc – the person on the stage wins. Period. If we need to hash it out and talk about a resolution to a conflict, this happens AFTER the services are all over. Conflict resolution is not something we’re going to do during the service. This is not professional, and it will only cause an unnecessary and uncomfortable distraction with the person or group who needs to be focused on delivering the message through song or text.
My role as the AVL Manager is to be your shield, and with me out of Com and using my ears to mix, the best time for me to go to bat for you is after the service is over. So, please let me do that for you. Also, remember, if something has gotten you frustrated, and you take it upon yourself to confront, you will get someone else riled up. The best time to resolve a conflict is after both parties have cooled down and the blood is back in your brain. It’s a physiological fact man!
Another issue related to Com communication. I really need everyone to step up and follow the direction of the Producer immediately and without hesitation. This will become increasingly important in the coming months as our leadership is contemplating a major technology update that will greatly augment both our ability and our responsibility. The time it takes to ask, “are you sure you want me to…” is a missed opportunity. It’s a missed mic cue, a missed camera shot, a missed opportunity to fix a technical issue that may end up being WAY more noticeable if we are doing it 15-30 seconds later than the Producer calls it.
If the Producer makes a call, right or wrong, go with it. If there is fallout from a bad decision made about a change, a correction, moving a prop, fixing a microphone, or any other technical decision we make that causes a problem – the AVL Manager takes full responsibility for it. I believe when we operate this way, it allows everyone to be more “professional” and to relax and serve with joy. I want this to be a fun place where we continue to grow closer as a team and have a blast serving. It’s a huge responsibility, and we need to take it serious, but no one needs to fear being chewed out by someone on the stage. So, when the Producer makes a call, move it on quickly, and we’ll debrief AFTER the service if we need to. After the Producer makes a call is not the time to discuss whether it’s a good idea or not.
I LOVE This Team!!!
OK – so I don’t want this to sound all negative. You guys amaze me at how well you roll with changes and equipment that is hanging on by chewing gum and McGuyver’d baling wire. There have been plenty of times where I would have liked to have had the block of C4 that McGuyver would magically pull from his backpack (for the video system). You guys give of your time and serve selflessly and I am so thankful for each one of you. I want to do my job here to the best of my ability for God’s glory and continue to support the ministry of Colonial – shouldered up with you men and women.
The relationship we have with each other as a tech team is important. But lets be diligent to also build and nurture the relationship we have with the folks on the stage. Learn their names. Tell them they sounded great, or that their message encouraged you. Tell them which song was your favorite. But, mainly, I challenge you to make a connection with someone on stage this week by encouraging them or learning a new name.
Working with you people on Sunday is truly the highlight of my work week!
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