From The Stage
1. Don’t do anything from the stage that hasn’t been scrutinized and agreed upon collectively by the worship production team. Of course, there will be times when God wants to go in another direction, and the pastor or leader of the service will have to make that call. Spontaneity doesn’t always equate to spirituality, though.
2. Make sure that during rehearsal the technical aspects of the service are tested and that the equipment is properly working; confirm stage entrances and exits, segment hand-offs, how staging will be moved, who will do what and where, when, etc.
3. Make sure that sight lines are established between the leader, band and vocalists. If this isn’t possible due to a complicated stage setup, then create an audible means of communication if changes are needed during the performance (provide a wireless, in-ear monitoring system to stay connected with the tech team). Use predetermined hand signals or gestures as a means of visual communication between the stage and the technicians at the sound console (front of house=FOH), without having to disrupt flow.
4. When a mistake is made, try not to draw attention to it. It is likely that the audience won’t even be aware of the mess-up. Skilled performers know that a mistake can enhance a performance when, even after a stumble, they land gracefully on their feet (this is only for the highly skilled among us)!
5. If possible, designate a person from the tech team to help with potential stage problems. When called upon, they can inconspicuously move to the stage to fix a sound problem or make an equipment change. It’s important that those on stage remain focused on speaking, playing and singing. If a problem brings a performance to a screeching halt, it needs to be established beforehand who from the staff will stand in the gap and carry the program until a solution is found, or to conclude the service altogether. As said in an earlier post: An audience’s trust in a good leader will go a long way in helping to get through a distracting moment during a service.
From the Audience
1. Some churches, pastors and leaders encourage children to sit with their parents during a service. But when disruptions come from babies and small children in the audience, it makes it all but impossible for others in the service to stay focused on the message. If necessary, create a policy that limits certain ages to participate in services. If this is not possible, take the opportunity to promote your well-equipped, secure, clean and nurturing child care facility, where their age-appropriate behavior is better suited. Another great way to help with this is by supplying a private and discreet “family room” for parents or caretakers, supplied with a video feed of the service. A separate, private location for nursing mothers will also be very helpful.
2. Make it a policy for those who choose to sit toward the front of the sanctuary to remain seated during the entire service. Encourage those with pertinent personal or physical issues to sit in a place within the sanctuary where they can easily exit without disturbing those around them. Section off an area of the sanctuary for special needs. Sanctuary etiquette must be taught from the pulpit, as well as in orientation classes. Pastors and/or worship leaders will have to make special effort to teach worshipers proper behavior in casual worship environments. This may need to be done often, especially in a growing church.
3. Train ushers and greeters, in advance of any given service, to be aware of potential interruptions in the audience; teach them to assist the pastor in a proper and discreet manner when called upon.
4. Make sure that a person of authority, other than the one leading from the stage, is available to help contain any situation that may arise during a service. If the pastor or leader makes a gesture from the stage, that appointed person can move quickly toward the disruption or spiritual need in the audience.
5. Sometimes a medical emergency may arise during a service. If the ill person is mobile, it’s best to handle the situation and attend to their needs with as much discretion as possible until they are stabilized, or until emergency personnel can transport them. Sometimes the person cannot be moved immediately, or without professional medical assistance. But if it’s at all possible, respectfully allow the service to carry on. Plan in advance how to approach a medical emergency, and make a plan as to how emergency personnel can enter and exit the facility with as little disruption as possible.
We can’t prevent every disruption in our services. Problems can turn out for the better, though, if we plan for an “escape route” before things go horribly wrong. Let’s face it, to ere is human, but to walk headlong into a problem because of poor planning or laziness is just plain inexcusable!
