Since moving to Northern Italy and being involved in the local fellowship here, I was asked if I could take charge of the church sound system and website. The sound system was a mess and I won’t even talk to you about the website, yet.
I am back in the trenches and it feels good.
A few Sunday’s ago, I noticed something that I hadn’t thought about much since heading-up the church sound booth back in the United States. I’ve ran sound for many different worship leaders and there is one curious thing I like to watch from that little booth tucked in the back corner of the church sanctuary.
When worship leaders are not leading worship.
Someone Is Watching
We all have ups and downs in life. Sometimes when we come to church, worshiping is the last thing we feel like doing. Some of us have got to great lengths and hard fought battles to get our entire family through the front doors of the church.
Worship leaders are no exception.
But seeing a worship leader upon multiple occasions when they’re not leading worship can be really telling. It can tell you whether or not they are a true-hearted worship leader or if they are a great performer.
The same can be said for those running church audio and video.
When something goes wrong or the A/V team clearly needs help, do ‘off duty’ church techs offer a lending hand? Or how about when a church tech isn’t scheduled? Do they show-up and participate in the Sunday morning worship service? And what about when no one is watching them in the sound booth?
The underlying lesson to be learned from these observations isn’t judgement or piety, it’s to remember that we should put all of our heart in everything we do—whether someone is watching or not.
Work at It with All of Your Heart
Every time I think of the Colossians 3:23, this song comes to mind:
(This was my favorite band before I discovered Carmen, DC Talk and Petra)
And it’s so true!
Everything we do—seen by others or not—should be done with all of our heart. Whether on the stage or behind the curtain (and sound booth), this is the attitude we need to have.
I remember when I was put in charge of the sound team back in the United States. One of the first things I did was clean the sound booth. Between dried-up markers, dead batteries, and scraps of scribbled paper, the booth was a mess. Fast forward to today, and one of the first things I am having to do since being put in charge of the sound booth, is the same thing!
A sound team that is ‘doing it with all of the heart,’ will take the time to care for one another in these little, unseen things. The things that only God sees—not even the sound booth guy in the back watching everyone during praise and worship.
Are you serving with all of your heart?
[Image of an awesome soundboard via stlyouth via Compfight cc & the eyes image via B Rosen via Compfight cc]
Curtis says
Great post Eric.
Eric Dye says
Thank you. 🙂