For Church Tech Teams, Christmas is one of the busiest seasons all year. There is a massive amount of effort behind the scenes with extra rehearsals, additional service times and preparing overflow spaces to accommodate larger-than-normal crowds. As Church Leaders (Tech, Worship or as Pastors) it can be easy to focus on the physical needs directly in front of us; however, it’s important that we also remember our most critical asset - our Teams.
As you prepare for services, remember to recognize the effort of the other team members as well. Additional service times, special elements and extended rehearsals require teams to spend time away from their families and other responsibilities. So here are a few ideas to help maintain a positive, energetic environment throughout a busy season.
- Thank You Notes. I cannot stress enough how meaningful a handwritten note can be to someone. Simply writing “I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate the extra effort you’ve put into helping the last few weeks. I’m glad to serve with you on the team.” As an added benefit, this can be completely free if your church already has any sort of Thank You note stationery you can use.
- Drinks and Snacks. As you schedule team members to help with extra rehearsals or services, ask them to send you a quick list of drinks and snacks that they like. Then have a few specific items set out for team members when they arrive - even if you simply write someone’s name on a Post-It with a bag of their favorite chips and a drink. By taking the time to ask in advance, pick up specific items and have them set out for your team, you are demonstrating that you think about these individuals throughout the week - not just during service. This communicates “You’re Important” to people. And who doesn’t love snacks?
- Public Recognition. Whenever you gather together as a team to meet - perhaps before rehearsal begins or between services - find a reason to recognize an individual in front of the group. Give someone a quick shoutout like “I just wanted to recognize John today. In addition to his professional career and his role as a husband and a father, he also makes time to prep for service by showing up early and getting everything turned on. You’re a blessing to this team, and I love getting to see you each week.”
- Thank your team member's Family. Whenever you see a team member’s spouse or family, tell them Thank You for letting them serve. Serving in any capacity at the church takes time away from being with their family - either at home during the week or from sitting with their family in service. That’s a significant commitment that often gets overlooked. Letting the family know how appreciative you are as a leader to have their spouse on the team demonstrates thoughtful consideration and shows how valuable that team member's time is to you.
Find ways to get creative. What would be truly valuable to you? What would you enjoy hearing or receiving from the leaders in your life? I guarantee you this - you cannot love or appreciate your team too much. In the days leading up to Easter or in the weeks following, anything you can do to show your team how much you appreciate them will make an impact.
Know that the team at MediaMerge is praying for you, your team, and your church. We love getting to see how God uses His people to change the world. And we are grateful that we are able to partner with you to help impact His Kingdom in your community.
As you upload pics of services and your team serving this Christmas, be sure to tag @MediaMerge so that we can celebrate with you!