aesthetics as their driving force while insisting the sound system provide the needed sonic reach . Technology , then , made up the gap between what should be and what was . As a result , the room ’ s purpose as an “ auditorium ”, a word derived from the Latin meaning , “ room built for hearing ” is now only as valid as the sound system installed in it . When the sound system fails , the room fails in its core purpose . Leadership must recognize and accept if they build a room primarily as either a visual statement or a cost-savings measure , they must accept the responsibility for the room to cease as a communications tool when the essential technology fails . And they must recognize the simple fact that all technology fails . It is wholly their fault , not the fault of the tech team when this inevitable failure happens .
Second , accept imperfection as the norm . Excellence as a goal has been manipulated into perfection . Tech can produce excellence , but it cannot produce perfection . There are simply too many variables in play . From the Super Bowl halftime show to the Grammy Awards to CMA to a local church , there will be errors and mistakes in any live event as they all rely on humans and human technology . However , excellence , as defined by the ability to deliver results of a consistently high quality , is achievable by any size tech crew . It falls to tech leadership to establish an attainable goal given the talent and equipment in play , to develop Standard Operating Procedures , to offer unwavering support of the team and to lead with empathy and a forward focus . delivers the message , it has served its purpose . It need not be perfect to be effective .
Fourth , recognize intent as more important than function . A young video enthusiast with a heart of gold who uses too many fade variances and questionable shot compositions is more valuable to the team than a gruff hired hand who nails each shot but disrupts the team and its connectedness . While composition can be taught , empathy and enthusiasm for ministry cannot . Be patient with eager newbies and gently lead them to success without breaking their passion for the tech arts .
Finally , give all the praise and criticism back to God . A single acrid and anonymous note about the mix or volume or haze can devastate a volunteer . As a leader , do not harbor the negative , but deal with its consequence for the team while simultaneously giving the credit for a job well done to the least of the team . In other words , acknowledge , but do not ingest the blame and give the credit to others , for it is God who is in control .
Church tech is more difficult an endeavor than any secular undertaking due to the ability of the “ audience ” to criticize and encounter the tech team . However , shepherding the team properly can lead to more effective and efficient operations while also improving the end result and edifying the congregation .
Kent Morris Kent Morris is a 44-year veteran of the AVL arena driven by passion for excellence tempered by the knowledge all technology is in a temporal state .
Third , embrace the positivity of every moment . If there is a technical glitch during the service , but no one notices , then it never happened . While there is nothing wrong with mentally filing the error away for a later debriefing , no good comes of making a point of it in the moment , for doing so will demoralize the team just as their efforts are bearing fruit . Technology is not the ends , it is the means , and as such , as long as it
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