Hey Technical Artist, what’s your favorite color? Mine is a toss up between Black and Charcoal. My wardrobe consists of many black t-shirts, hoodies and jackets that are great for staying in the shadows, and I bet yours does as well. If you are like most techs you are probably more comfy in the booth than in the pew, but when is invisibility a superpower and when is it our kryptonite?
1. The Value of Being Invisible
First and foremost, a well-functioning tech team is ideally invisible. When we’re in a worship service, the technology should enhance the experience without drawing attention to itself. (Have you seen this viral reel on Insta that has stirred up a lot of conversation about this very topic?) Every church culture is definitely unique, when it comes to how they use technology. But I think that we can all agree: when everything runs smoothly—sound, visuals, and lyrics syncing perfectly—people can truly focus on the worship and the message. That’s what we’re after!
I tell my tech team that their success is measured by how little people notice them. When technology is seamless, the congregation can connect on a deeper level with the worship. No one wants to be distracted by technical glitches. So, careful planning, preparation, and rehearsals are crucial. A well-prepared tech team is ready for anything that might come up, and that can lead to an incredible worship experience.
2. Recognizing the Team Behind the Scenes
While invisibility in function is desirable, invisibility in recognition is not. It’s easy for those working behind the scenes to feel unappreciated. I’ve seen it happen—team members who do incredible work but don’t receive any acknowledgment can start feeling demotivated.
That’s why it’s vital for us as leaders to express gratitude regularly. I’ve started implementing a culture of appreciation where we acknowledge our tech team’s contributions. Sometimes it’s a quick thank you after a service and sometimes it’s a fun recognition event. Either way, it makes a world of difference. I’ve even adopted a “Dundee”-style awards ceremony for our team members. This Thanquet was inspired by Michael Scott from The Office and includes a time where I give out little golden trophies to our team members to recognize “Mr. Dependable”, “Sir Mixalot” or our “MVPrayer”. Celebrating their unique contributions help them feel valued and fosters a healthy culture within the team.
When the only recognition a tech team receives is for mishaps, it becomes pretty disheartening. Praise publicly and correct privately.
3. The Dangers of Over-Automation
Imagine standing in the congregation during a worship service and every single AVL cue being executed flawlessly. Every transition, light intensity, reverb time and lyric was flawless. The service ends and you decide to make your way back to the Tech booth to offer some encouragement to the amazing tech team, but to your surprise…no one is there. Then suddenly a little guy appears from behind a black curtain holding a Wireless Stream Deck XL and you realize who’s really in control!
Technology has come a long way, allowing us to automate many tasks through systems like MIDI cues and playback. However, we need to be cautious not to over-rely on automation. It can create a disconnect from the community aspect of worship and team building. Do you have a team of midi watchers or technical artists?
Sometimes, I find that tech leaders might prefer to handle everything themselves because they worry that others won’t do it as well. But this mindset can be detrimental. Involving volunteers is so important (Ephesians 4:12)! It fosters community and enriches the worship experience. When we take the time to train and empower volunteers, we’re not just building a tech team; we’re creating opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Conclusion: Finding the Balance with a New Perspective
When was the last time you got out of the shadows of serving and sat in a worship service? It’s much easier to evaluate what is enhancing and what is distracting when you aren’t staring at Propresenter or a cue sheet.
The concept of the invisible tech team is nuanced. Tech should be used to enhance the message, but appropriate for each church’s culture. While our teams usually prefer to serve without a spotlight that doesn’t mean they should be invisible to their leaders. Care for your teams and be careful not to A.I. them out of a job when it isn’t necessary.
As church leaders and tech directors, our goal should be to create an environment where technology enhances worship rather than overshadows it. By fostering appreciation, maintaining engagement, and involving volunteers, we can build a tech team that thrives in its invisibility while remaining vital to our mission.
Let’s keep doing great things for God’s Glory!
This blog is based on Ryland Russell’s Sunday Vlog entitled “The INVISIBLE Tech Team” from his Youtube channel. If you would like to hear more from Ryland, check out his breakout from FILO 2024 “Next Level Livestreaming on a Budget“.
