FRONT OF HOUSE
[ GROUNDHOG DAY: HOW TO NOT REPEAT MISTAKES | Kent Morris ]
In the movie Groundhog Day, arrogant TV use that template every time. Have a standard Tech teams receive the brunt of the fall-out
weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is method for disposing of used batteries so when the band isn’t ready for rehearsal. A wise
caught in a time loop and repeats the title day they can never find their way into the pastor’s worship leader will help the techs create a list
many times until he learns to improve his life. bodypack transmitter again. Automatically of requirements before rehearsal can start.
In the same way, tech teams often repeat the trigger a re-order of gaff tape and expendables Guitarists should have their own batteries and
same mistakes without addressing the causes when stock reaches a certain point. Always cables. Vocalists should know their assigned
and solutions at hand. To get out of the dreary power up and power down the systems the handheld and confirm it is on and operating.
“Loop of Doom,” here are some simple ways same way, every time. One way to make this happen is the $10
to stop the madness and make things better
in 2018:
penalty ascribed to any member not ready
3. Internalize the fact that it is better to be when rehearsal is set to start. The funds go into
effective than to be right. BG (Before Google) a collection for the end-of-year team party.
1. Configure the console for how the service ill-informed techs were kept at bay by flows. There is no law that says channel one knowledgeable professionals. Now, however, 5. Find a way to recognize that this is a “get to”
on the console must be kick drum. With everyone is an expert. There are many ways not a “have to” responsibility. Tech burnout is
multi-layered digital boards, it makes no to do the same action with similar results. The prevalent in the church. All the pain of dealing
sense to continually flip among layers to find key is to use the method best suited to the with upset church members, unruly drummers,
the important channels. Traditional layouts situation and acceptable to the majority. Just as hyper pastors, and chronic low budgets wears
were analog churches split over trivial matters, tech teams out the spirit over time. Somewhere in the
environments. Put the most important inputs, tend to divide into camps based on preferred midst of the constant drain, there must be a
which require attention and adjustment, on ways of doing things. As servants, our role is to source of fresh water or the well runs dry. The
the top layer so the speaking pastor, worship provide an environment conducive to worship, source can be regularly scheduled tech-only
leader, lead instruments and media playback and that means laying aside our pet peeves “vent and repent” Bible study sessions coupled
are together. Inputs needing less attention can and rolling with it. So, whether it is how gaff is with occasional Sundays off with the family, but
be relegated down-layer. A variation on this put down, the “best” DI to use on keys, or what it must occur or the result will be a negative
theme is to place primary inputs plus related EQ to dial in for the BGVs, it is all insignificant attitude, or worse. God can make it happen
groups and DCAs on a single master layer for compared to creating unity among the techs in without us, but chooses to use us anyway, so
simple control of everything. order to provide the best service of worship to the fact remains we “get to” do this work each
the congregation. If all else fails in this endeavor, week and that, my friends, is an honor and a
bring donuts! high calling.
designed
for
single-surface
2. Develop a Standard Operating Procedure
(SOP) for how, when, and where things are
done. The service should not sound different 4. Since tech is a dependent art, pre-arrange
just because the operator changes. Develop with the worship leader what is expected of
a base mix among all the FOH engineers and the worship team prior to the start of rehearsal.
28
January 2018
Kent Morris
35 year veteran of the worship technology arena
with a passion for excellence balanced by the
knowledge digital is a temporary state.
WorshipMusician.com