Who do we do what we do for? An awkward question and one that is not even grammatically correct. But I like it and use it every time I visit with a TechTeam about their reason for existence. I ask it because I want the TechTeam members to come to the realization of a very important insight. But before I give you the correct answer to the question at hand, let me share with you some of the common responses I get.

It should come as no surprise that the number one response is, “We do what we do for GOD.” Now no one in his/her right mind would argue with this answer, however, God already knows that what we do, especially in the church, is for Him. After all He gave us the skills and ability needed to be Techs and most importantly the desire to serve Him.

Others have suggested, “We do what we do for OURSELVES.” This too is a good answer, although not being the correct answer does bring our attention to an important understanding. I believe that if we are doing something in the church that we have the ability to do, and we are having a good time doing it, then we are serving in the right ministry. Many times people want to become part of the TechTeam because they want to play with (run) the big fancy toys (equipment). Sometimes they find this experience to be frustrating, nerve-wracking, or just plain stressful. If this is the case, then that person is trying to do something he/she is not equipped to do, and feels no joy in doing it.

The final set of responses all fall into the general category of OTHERS. “We do what we do for: the Pastor, the Music Minister, the Praise Team, the Congregation.” These too are valid responses, as we do serve these people utilizing our knowledge and skills. This answer, being closest to the best answer to the question, offers a clue. Who we do what we do for is a person, perhaps the most important person, in church on Sunday morning.

OK, it is time for the answer, and this is important, because if we satisfy the needs of this person, all will be satisfied with our efforts. This satisfied group includes our God, our Pastor, the Music Minister, the Praise Team, the Congregation, and even us. You see, if we can meet or exceed the expectations of this single person, then the needs of everyone will be met. Who do we do what we do for? It is the FIRST TIME VISITOR.

The first time visitor is a stranger to our Sunday morning experience and should therefore be treated as an honored guest. Why? Because we know this person is “looking for something,” and no doubt that is why they voluntarily walked through the door of our church in the first place. You see the first time visitor may be one of several persons: a person new to our community and looking for a church home; someone who has left another church in our community and is now looking for a new place to worship; a guest of one of the members of our church and has no church home; or perhaps an individual who has never been to any church before and is looking for something to fill the void in life.

Common to all these people is the fact they are in our facility observing and judging all that they see and hear. And as Techs, we have the unique ability to affect, in a positive or negative way, their all-important “first impression” experience. If it is our primary goal to make it a positive experience, then not only will the first time visitor be satisfied but so will everyone else in the building. That is why it is important to remember that we do what we do for the first time visitor, our honored guest.

So what does this honored guest deserve? How do we measure our success in meeting this persons needs? Simply stated, our guest deserves the BEST WE HAVE TO OFFER, just like the first time visitor would receive if we were to invite this person to our home or business. Because of the routine we Techs find ourselves in Sunday after Sunday, we sometimes forget that there are new people in our facility for the first time “checking us out,” and we can lose focus on our obligation to these people.

Remember when you first signed on with the TechTeam? If you were like me you had the desire to do it right, to the best of your ability and to prove to others you had what it took to be a good Tech. I wanted everyone to recognize my skills, dedication and commitment to the ministry. Well, that’s exactly how we measure our success. If we as seasoned Techs can still hold on to those initial attributes than our first time visitor will walk away with an experience that was better than they expected.

We still need a measurement standard, however, and to me it is simple, well at least simply stated. We are to deliver the best possible sight and sound experience our equipment will allow, with no distractions or interruptions. And to me the only way this is possible is to approach our task with the same excitement and enthusiasm we had when we first started working in technical ministries. Again, think back to your early days on the TechTeam. Didn’t you want to do you absolute best, learn all you could, and most importantly please all those who were aware of your efforts? That is our measurement.

The important thing to remember about our first time visitors is this: they are seeing what we do for the very first time and often times are critical of everything that goes wrong. Not because it is their intent, but because of their expectations. What we can’t forget is that while this may be their first time in our facility, their visit may result in a life changing experience. As Techs, we must understand it is not our responsibility to cause this life changing experience; it is our responsibility to do everything in our power not to prevent if from happening.

We as Techs have an awesome responsibility. You see we have the unique ability to be the most distracting element of this experience or the most enhancing. If we look at our responsibility with the same enthusiasm and desire we had the first day we were Techs, and couple this feeling with our knowledge and experience, we cannot fail as long as we remember there is a guest in the house.