Lakewood Blog
I remember the day like it was yesterday. As a nerdy, introverted high schooler, I took a deep breath, bravely walked up to our Technical Pastor at the time and asked him to teach me how to run that sound board…that glorious board with all the lights and buttons. That was the beginning of my love for all things technical, especially when those things are utilized by the Church. Technical artists are very near and dear to my heart. They’re my people, my fellow “techies.” They are those that love to serve behind the scenes and are not intimidated by all those buttons, knobs and levers.

One of the things I love so much about our tech coordinators and many volunteers is their heart to serve others. People come up to me all the time and say, “I could never do what you do! It all looks so complicated.” That may be true, but I try to explain to these people that a humble heart willing to learn and serve is so much more important than level of skill or ability when it comes to the technical arts. We have techs of all ages from students to senior adults, men and women, and abilities that range from novice to professional. The point is that I am more than willing to teach anyone who wants to learn and train them not only in the skills, tips and tricks that I know, but more importantly, I hope to also pass on what it means to be more than a button-pusher or a role-filler.
We ought to reflect on our roles as technical artists. To not just be focused on all the little details that go into the planning and executing of our roles that we forget that we are called to be worshippers in all that we do. To not be like Martha in Luke 10 who was so focused and worried and distracted about getting her task accomplished that she neglected to take the time as her sister Mary did to simply sit at the feet of Jesus. There is a balance to be struck between the two sisters’ responses. To spend time sitting with Jesus and then after being filled with his love for us and for others, to go and serve others with our time, talent and treasures.
As a Worship Ministry, our mission is to assist everyone in becoming more aware of God’s presence and to worship him continually with our lives. I see the technical arts as one way we can not only worship God with the gifts and abilities he has given us, but it is also a way to assist others to encounter Jesus when we gather together as a church family. As technical artists, we hone our craft in order to bring others to the feet of Jesus. We are passionate about getting the words up on the screens in time so that all are able to participate as we assemble together. We work to create a visual environment that inspire moments of awe and wonder in our Creator God. We do our best to minimize distractions from the worship of our holy, loving, merciful and awesome God.
So, the next time you walk by the tech booth or listen to the harmonious blend of instruments and voices or gaze at the words or faces on the projector screens or watch the lights as they magically fade into the next color, I pray that moment of awareness inspires a spontaneous response to the realized presence of God. That you pause a second to say a prayer of thanksgiving or praise to the one who deserves all our praise, our true and living God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
It also wouldn’t hurt to give a word of encouragement to the “techie” behind the board, camera or computer because though they prefer to stay behind the scenes, it is still nice to be acknowledged, thanked and encouraged. I can assure you, these people, my people, are all pretty awesome!