Confessions from the sound booth

A few weeks back I was at a church that was not my own. It was very enjoyable. But the sound and projector was almost unbearable. Since I normally run the sound and projector at my church I find myself being very judgey of other people who operate it at other churches.

First off, It's not hard to use one font for song sides is it? Like seriously. Mixed fonts, inconsistent font size, Why is that word bold, and the other italicized? Just remember, consistency is key.

Secondly is music volume. Now I know at my church we don't have drums. Heaven Forbid! But when I go to other churches that do, and find that the volume on the drums, or any instrument is set to 11. Well that just won't do. I want to hear the singing. Oh, and if you have people singing with mic's at the front, lets keep that a normal level too, Sure they might be good, but I still want to hear the rest of the congregations singing too! 

Slides in the wrong order. This is my biggest pet peeve. Now it has happened to me, so I do give some room for error here. Some times the person leading music just decides to go all crazy and sing the bridge in the middle of the song for no reason. I get it. No one is perfect. But when EVERY SINGLE SONG is not in the right order or is missing the 1st verse, I have to think that it might not be the music peoples fault. But that maybe you forgot to coordinate with the music people. Lets remember that as the sound booth guy you play a big role is facilitating worship so lets put some effort in(PS you are not leading worship, that is the Holy Spirits job. He is the worship leader. Another pet peeve. Sorry I'll get back on track now...)

To many "Churchy" backgrounds. This just makes me laugh. Like when you see a slide and the background is like this:

 

The dove, the cross, a fancy bible, a beam of light. THESE ARE NOT COOL. They make me think I'm singing a cult song. Now I'm not saying a cool background is bad. I do my song slides at a brethren assembly where my definition of a crazy background is when we set it to red for Christmas. I know, crazy right? So I might be a little harsh on the whole situation. But I don't mind to occasional cool background, but lets keep it from getting too "Religious" looking. You know what I mean.

And my last point is about when to change to the next slide. This should be common sense, but apparently not. Also I am guilty of what I am about to say, but once again the is more meant for those who do it every time! Lets change slides when the we are done singing the words on the current slide. Or even a half second early so people know what is coming next. It will make everything run smoothly. If you don't believe me, that is fine. But try it just once, to prove me wrong. It it goes better then normal I win and you change your ways. If not, just keep doing it all dumb like. I don't care.

Well that is my rant for today. Maybe I'll rant again soon about something. Who knows with this blog.

Nolan Out!

Obligation and Desire

Good News!

I've been keeping up with reading my Bible every night before I go to bed. I haven't missed a day for about two months. This is a BIG deal! I am happy and learning lots.

But there is always bad news to go along with good news it seems. I have this issue, and it doesn't even seem like a big issue, just something I wish was different in my attitude towards reading. There are times I go to bed around 2am and I just don't feel like reading, times I would rather just go to sleep instead of taking the time to read God's word and let Him show me his will. I force my self to read anyways. Which is better then not reading I guess.



I wish that I always had the desire to read. I wish it  was some thing I wanted to do every night, something I wouldn't even consider to skip out on. Something I looked forward all day. Why is it that we struggle so hard with this. Shouldn't it be easy to read what the creator of the entire universe has written to us? Isn't that something that should take the most important place in our lives?

I feel that I am obligated to. I have to because it is the right thing. I'm not saying this is wrong, just something I am trying to work on. I want to get to a point in my life where this is something I can't live with out. Where I thirst to find out what God wants to tell me. Instead of this need to force myself to read his word.



I guess this is something that is common in lots of aspects of our Christian lives. Going to church being at the top of the list as well, shouldn't we want to be there? Is there anywhere else that we find better? There shouldn't be. Why would we not want to be where the Christians are? I know I have struggle with this. Yes, I go to church every Sunday, haven't missed one in a long time. That doesn't mean that is where I want to be. I feel Obligated to go because my parents want me to go or because I know that is what I am supposed to do as a Christian. I want my attitude towards it to change. I want to desire to go to Church because there is nothing better to do on a Sunday or Wednesday night.

I'm sure there are many other areas in our Christian lives that we struggle with this same thing, Desire or Obligation. Think about it. Pray for me!

Nolan Out!