I'm Getting Jaded....

[SoCal-SoundGuy]

I’m getting jaded. Feel free to click to the next thread now; I’m just venting. I figure some of you will relate, and others will see me as an un-Christian whatever….

I’m the “sound guy” at a church with typically about two hundred attendees. I’ve been the only person to fill that role for about fifteen years. I’ve repeatedly asked the worship team and congregation for help; but although they sound sympathetic, I’m still the only one willing to step up to do the work. The weeks I’m not there are pretty much a disaster, even though I’ve gone to great lengths to document the process. When I’m not there, the Music Pastor sets everything up as best as he can; but he’s at the piano during the music; leaving whomever to mute and unmute mics. I get plenty of feedback upon my return that things are just horrible when I’m absent, but still nobody will step up and learn how to fill in.

Much of the problem is that we share the Sanctuary with a Christian school. During the week, several people (including students) sit at the mixer for whatever event they have going on. It seems that nearly every knob, slider, and button is changed each time I show up. There isn’t a budget to replace our ancient analog Behringer with a digital board, so part of my routine is to reset 700ish knobs/sliders/buttons every Sunday. No matter how much I plead, beg, or complain, this doesn't change.


We have one service a week; at 10:30. I show up at about 8:00 and setup mics and cabling. I’m grateful that the singers and musicians do show up in time to practice and give me time for a good sound check. I’ve read many other posts on this blog over the years, and by comparison, I feel I’m pretty lucky regarding musicians. They have worked with me over time to not be overpowering from the stage; allowing me to mic their instruments and give them what they want via monitors, and still provide a good sound to the house. I do wish, however, that the singers (the same four people for at least the last five years) would even remotely try to be consistent when using a mic (I request 1” from the mouth, and get anywhere from 1” to one foot, randomly without reason…).

The only reason I haven’t walked away is that the Senior Pastor and the Music Pastor have become pretty good friends, and I don’t want to abandon them.

I could go on, but I think the basics are here. Are there lots of others in the same situation?

[tdangelo]

Originally Posted by SoCal-SoundGuy

I do wish, however, that the singers (the same four people for at least the last five years) would even remotely try to be consistent when using a mic (I request 1” from the mouth, and get anywhere from 1” to one foot, randomly without reason…).

One of those strap-on feed bags they make for horses modified for a microphone may work. In all seriousness, maybe it's time for a vacation? Like many tech arts guys, you are probably frustrated because you care so much. But if that is leaving you in a bad place emotionally and spiritually then it may be time for a break. "God loves a cheerfull giver ...."

In the end, you may be able to change the circumstances at that church and that would be great, but the one thing you have most control over is you.

[petereit]

I agree with Tom. I was the one-man media team for a few years and it really burned me out. Thankfully, my pastor recognized the problem and hired a full-time media director. I'm now delighted to be able to sit back and just run a camera while our media director does all the heavy lifting. The guy he hired is WAY more talented and creative than I ever was and has taken all of our media up about 10 notches.

Stepping away for a while will be good for you, and it could be good for your church too. And by "step away" I mean completely, as in find another church to attend while you take your break, which i would suggest be at least a month, and resist any urge to get involved in ministry there. This is your time to be ministered TO.

[dmot]

I will add that time away is not enough. You need to focus that time on abiding in Christ. Something we see repeatedly in the gospel's is Jesus getting away to spend time with the Father. It may seem like I am splitting hairs here but I believe there is a big difference and a lot of people just get away and forget about the abiding.

If you do that you will develop a healthy rhythm that will make you much more effective in ministry. Such a rhythm is important for individuals and institutions alike.

[Esoteric]

You know, I spent 6 months volunteering to produce every service at my church (4 services across two campuses at the time, I got there at 6:00AM and left at 7:30PM). After 6 months my wife looked at me and said "you're done." I was a mess.

I talked to our leadership. I let them know that it was too much for a volunteer. Then, I stepped down. I spent the next year re-energizing (doing studies, leading a small group once a week, being with my family, etc) and now I might be almost ready to step back into a role in that area.

The guys after me lasted 4 months, 6 months, and 3 months before they threw in the towel.

In other words, don't feel bad if you need a break. Take one. Dive into the word. Spend time with your family. Try serving in other roles.

[Paris MkVI]

Originally Posted by SoCal-SoundGuy

The only reason I haven’t walked away is that the Senior Pastor and the Music Pastor have become pretty good friends, and I don’t want to abandon them.

I honor your relationship with your leaders, but consider this:

Would stepping down constitute abandonment?

What if every servant in the body of Christ experiencing burnout (not just you) stepped down, all at once, across the globe?

Would the message end? Would ministry cease? No.

We discover certain things, mostly about ourselves, when we step back to recharge and renew. When I have been burned out in the past, I have found out most often it is because I have created my own burdens. Usually I have done that by offering my time or abilities without thinking things all the way through regarding the long-term totality of what I was really offering.

Go to your leaders, your friends. Good leaders and friends will understand that what you now require is more important.

What if things are much messier with you not in the tech picture? What if people are still blessed and God is still God?

That doesn't mean your service had no value. It may mean you gave yourself more burden than you should have carried. If Jesus said His yoke is easy (well-fitted) and His burden light (one appropriate to our carrying capacity), then I must be missing something when I am hurting and overburdened.

Blessings and prayers for you, brother as you walk through this. Keep us posted.

[rjwalker]

Originally Posted by SoCal-SoundGuy

The only reason I haven’t walked away is that the Senior Pastor and the Music Pastor have become pretty good friends, and I don’t want to abandon them.

Perhaps they have abandoned you?

[Josh Scott]

Sounds like you need a sabbatical, when was the last time you could come in and just worship?

Time to sit down with your friends and say you need a break unless you want to be done. Let them know you want to take a break for three-six months. Give them two months warning so they can find someone that can work with you for a few weeks. Ask them who you can send question to while you are on your break.

[[Admin] osborn4]

You may want to consider attending a different church during the Sabbatical, otherwise you may be too convient...

[petereit]

Originally Posted by osborn4

You may want to consider attending a different church during the Sabbatical, otherwise you may be too convenient...

EXCELLENT advice!! Because seriously, are you going to be ABLE to just sit back and worship if someone else is screwing everything up?

Even on my weeks off I find it almost impossible to simply enjoy worship because my brain is fully engaged in media support mode.