Maybe they sit behind a desk more complicated than a 747 cockpit, or perhaps next to just two dials and a switch.  It actually doesn’t matter, but if the sound tech in your church enables people to hear the message without distraction then they are a hero in my book.  I was just at a conference in Nigeria where the sound was a real challenge for the techs – huge open building, smaller crowd, powerful loudspeakers, preachers holding the microphone too close to the mouth, etc.  As I struggled to understand what was being said by other speakers I grew more and more thankful for the sound techs in the places where I regularly speak.

What to do if something isn’t right?  Well, sometimes there may be feedback, or some kind of distraction related to the sound system.  If possible, it is usually best to keep going and trust them to fix it.  The problem is when the listeners and you become distracted.  If it gets too bad, feel free to provide space for people to relax and the techies to spring into action.  Just be careful not to embarress or draw excessive attention to them.  The job is hard enough without dozens or hundreds of eyes turning their way.  If the problem was known to all, then fixed, consider a public thank you.  If not, then at least thank them after the service.  The sound can be perfect for months and they hear no gratitude, but the week something goes wrong, they can easily feel unappreciated.

I’m thankful for sound techs who do something I can’t do.  I’m going to recommit to expressing my gratitude for their work.