Church audio engineering is both an art and a science, requiring a blend of technical skill, musical intuition, and a deep understanding of the worship experience. However, the approach to managing this critical aspect of worship varies widely among churches. Some rely heavily on volunteers, others on full-time staff, and some on professional contractors. In many cases, a combination of all three is used to meet the church’s audio needs. The challenge lies in finding the right balance and ensuring that the audio experience is consistent, professional, and conducive to worship.
The Volunteer Model
For many churches, especially those in smaller or less populated areas, budget constraints necessitate reliance on volunteers to run sound. Volunteers often bring passion and dedication, but they may lack the professional training or experience required to handle the complexities of modern church audio. While this model can work well in some scenarios, it requires a significant investment in training and ongoing support.
The key to success with volunteers is education. Regular training sessions, shadowing experienced engineers, and constructive feedback can help volunteers develop the skills needed to manage church audio effectively. Additionally, having a clear understanding of the church’s audio expectations and providing them with the tools and resources they need can go a long way in ensuring that the audio experience is positive.
However, even with the best training, relying solely on volunteers can sometimes lead to inconsistency in audio quality. Volunteers may not be available every week, or their skill levels may vary, leading to fluctuations in the audio experience. This inconsistency can be particularly challenging for churches aiming to maintain a professional-level worship experience. I talk about this a lot, the first step towards eliminating inconsistency is to implement a mix philosophy, you can read more about it here.
The Full-Time Staff Model
In contrast, some churches opt to hire full-time staff to manage their audio needs. This approach is often seen in larger churches or those in major markets like Atlanta, Dallas, or Charlotte. Having dedicated staff ensures consistency in the audio experience, as these professionals are typically well-trained and experienced. They are also more likely to be familiar with the church’s specific audio needs and preferences.
Churches that have extensive AVL needs outside Sunday worship services, such as large weekday meetings, conferences, or special events, often rely heavily on staff and may need to supplement them with outside contractors. Because Sunday is always coming. This combination ensures that all events are covered with the necessary expertise without overburdening the in-house team.
However, challenges can arise when a church hires a full-time Technical Director (TD) to oversee all aspects of production, only to realize that the TD is also the best audio engineer available. I’ve seen this time and time again in mid-sized churches. In these cases, the TD often ends up spending most of their time behind the mixing console, effectively becoming the de facto FOH (Front of House) audio engineer. While this may work for a season, it ultimately leads to a situation where the audio may sound great, but other aspects of the service suffer.
A TD’s role is to oversee the entire production, ensuring that all elements of the worship service work together seamlessly. This includes managing the audio, video, lighting, and any other technical aspects of the service. When the TD is tied to the mixing console week after week, they lose the ability to focus on the broader picture. This can lead to important details being overlooked, potentially affecting the overall worship experience. More on that shortly.
The Contractor Model
To avoid the pitfalls of overburdening the technical staff, some churches choose to hire professional contractors to handle their audio needs. This approach allows full-time staff to focus on managing the overall production, while the contractor handles the technical details of mixing sound. Contractors bring a high level of expertise and can ensure that the audio quality is consistently professional. They can also be brought in for specific events or seasons, providing flexibility for the church.
When vetting potential contractors, you may end up kissing a few frogs. While most markets that support church audio engineers are full of great people, it’s crucial to find providers who are willing to meet your needs and fit into your culture. Many of the churches with successful contractor relationships have been working with the same people for years, building a foundation of well-earned trust. These long-time contractors understand the church’s specific needs and preferences, making them invaluable partners in achieving consistent, high-quality audio.
In addition to handling the weekly audio needs, contractors can also play a crucial role in training volunteers. By working alongside volunteers, contractors can help elevate their skills and build a more robust audio team. This approach allows the church to develop a pool of trained volunteers who can step in when needed, while still maintaining a high standard of audio quality.
The Hybrid Approach
Many churches find that a hybrid approach, utilizing a combination of volunteers, full-time staff, and contractors, works best. This allows the church to leverage the strengths of each model while mitigating the weaknesses. For example, a church might use volunteers for less complex events, rely on staff for regular weekly services, and bring in contractors for special events or when the regular staff is unavailable.
In this model, the TD plays a critical role in coordinating these different resources, ensuring that everyone is working together towards the same goal. The TD must be strategic in how they allocate resources, making sure that the right people are in the right roles at the right time. This approach requires clear communication, careful planning, and a commitment to maintaining a high standard of excellence in all aspects of the production.
Keeping the TD Out of the Mixing Role
As I touched on briefly above, one of the most important recommendations for churches is to ensure that their Technical Director does not become the primary mix engineer. While the TD should always be welcome in the sound booth—or anywhere else they are needed—their role should focus on overseeing the entire production rather than getting tied down to the mixing console. This concept is reminiscent of the fact-based WWII series Band of Brothers, where the main character, Dick Winters, rises through the officer ranks and is given increasing responsibilities. As Winters’ role evolves, he struggles with the transition from being on the front lines to commanding his troops from a distance. His job is no longer to carry a weapon and engage directly with the enemy but to utilize his training and leadership skills to guide his troops effectively.
Similarly, a TD’s role is not to be tied down to the mixing console week after week but to oversee and manage the entire production. When a TD is stuck behind the soundboard, they can lose sight of the broader aspects of the service, just as Winters would have compromised his command responsibilities had he remained on the front lines. It’s crucial for a TD to step back and allow others to handle the specific tasks of mixing audio so that they can focus on ensuring every aspect of the worship service is executed smoothly. This approach allows the TD to maintain a broader perspective, ensuring that all elements of the service work together harmoniously and that no important details are overlooked. The goal is for the TD to work on the production, not in it, and to be free to move around as needed, ensuring that the entire worship experience is cohesive and seamless.
Let’s Not Forget the Interns
Ah, the interns—those bright-eyed learners who show up ready to soak up knowledge, work hard, and eventually become an essential part of your team. More and more churches are offering internship programs for students or young people looking to get into church production as a profession. Over time, these interns can learn a lot and become a crucial resource for your team. Just remember, while they’re busy mastering the soundboard, I like my coffee black with a teaspoon of sugar. But seriously, investing in interns not only builds up the next generation of church tech professionals but also helps fill in the gaps when needed. They may start out green, but with the right mentorship, they’ll soon be mixing with the best of them.
Balancing the needs of church audio is no small task. Whether your church relies on volunteers, full-time staff, contractors, or a combination of all three, it’s essential to recognize the strengths and limitations of each approach. By strategically utilizing these resources and keeping the TD focused on the big picture, your church can achieve a consistently high-quality worship experience that enhances the message and engages the congregation. And remember, great audio isn’t just about the mix—it’s about creating an environment where worship can truly flourish for the congregation and the production team.
Until next time, don’t forget to listen!
