One of the most critical
and often forgotten elements in any endeavor or quest, is the understanding
of clear direction or purpose. Without this key element, the focus of what
we do or why we do it can be confusing or even lost. The church's direction
and purpose is clearly given to us in the Bible. What about the Tech Team?
Is it important for us to have clear direction and purpose? The answer
is obviously yes!

Regardless of the size of
your team, whether you're going it alone or are part of a large team, a
statement of purpose is a must. The need for such a statement is especially
important for techs. This is because we have a tendency to focus on the
hardware and its operation instead of why we are serving. The purpose statement
keeps us focused on why we do what we do. It can be reviewed as conflicts
arise (often caused by major production stress) and serves as a tool to
get us refocused. This statement should be a formal document, developed
by the team, and should include three basic elements: a single statement
of purpose, statements of direction, and finally a biblical basis for ministry. 

Statement of Purpose

The Technical Ministries
Team exists for one purpose:

" To invest ourselves in
a ministry that will directly support and reinforce anything and everything
that goes forth from this church that requires the support of lighting,
audio, video, graphics, or any other form of technical or stage support,
in a manner that is pleasing to God, and will provide for a better reception
and understanding by all those who are touched by our efforts"

Statement of Direction

We are to encourage and
support other members of the team and those whom we serve through our technical
gifts. 

We are committed to being
professional in our craft, in the execution of our skills and our relationships
with others. 

We are to submit to each
other and to our leadership, out of respect for each other as fellow brothers
and sisters in Christ. 

We are responsible, individually
and as a team, for our technical and spiritual development through study
and commitment. 

We are to build up one another,
and have the responsibility of eliminating any word or action that in not
constructive to our team. 

Biblical Basis 

As we serve, we embrace
the scripture "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain 

conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should 

look not only to your own
interests, but also to the interests of others." 

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV 

Ministry Goals 

1. To infuse a vision of
a worship lifestyle into all those who attend. I am truly thankful for
the privilege to lead a lifestyle of worship to the God of the Universe. 

2. To show by example how
to operate as a team and still be leaders individually. Make it your goal
to minister to the Father, to your Senior Pastor, to your Music Minister,
and to the church body during every service, especially those services
you are assigned to work. Recognize that there is a corporate anointing
that takes place when we enter into his presence with thanksgiving, and
that this corporate anointing is far more powerful than we might experience
alone. So don't tamper with it; instead, seek to enhance it. 

3. To find ways to stir
up and build up your fellow team members. Bind intimidation (2 Tim 1:6,7)
Find ways that you can minister to them and stir up their God-given talents.
Think twice before you speak. Be available. Don't overemphasize skill,
but rather total dependence on the Lord. 

4. To pursue God's best
through technical excellence in everything we do. Strive to honor Him through
a "whatever it takes" work ethic. (I Cor. 9:24-27) Recognize that God isn't
looking for perfection, but excellence. Realize that we can minister to
Him and others through a mutual desire to seek God's best. 

5. Through the combination
of these points, that we would continue to build and strengthen a ministry
of people who care for and pray for one another. That we would go out of
our way to spend time getting to know one another. That we would actually
follow through with our promise of "I'll pray for you." That we wouldn't
be afraid to be vulnerable in expressing our prayer needs in confidence.
That we would help each other grow in an understanding that our significance
on this planet is found only in God, not in ourselves or our performance;
not even our performance on stage. 

Once you have written and
adopted your own statement of purpose, print it on a large sheet of paper,
have everyone on the Tech Team sign it, and post it for all to see so that
it can be looked back upon when needed. Without such a reminder we can
lose focus on what we do and why we do it.

It is the skills that God
has given us that allow us to do what we do. It is the statement of purpose
that keeps us focused on how and why we do it. I would encourage all Tech
Teams consider the adoption of such a document, review it regularly, and
keep it at the center of their ministry.