Paid Tech ... Need Opinions

    Well my situation was different.  I noiticed after joining our Church that there was a lack of any tech advancement.   I kind of stuck my nose in and they ended up asking me to join the sound team.  I ended up changing lots of things, adding digital recording, video and ironing out other issues.  I spend a number of hours each week editing audio and video and making sure stuff is ready for next Sunday on the sound, video side.   So they offered me $200/month stipend and to join the staff as part timer.  Last year they offered to up the stipend, but I didn't feel comfortable with that as I had origianally intended to just be a volunteer.   I regularly get thank you notes and a few gift cards and feel very appreciated.  But even if I wasn't, I would still do the work as it needs to be done.  I expect somone more qualified will take over someday and I will find something else to do around the Church.

   You must be doing a great job, because as a behinds the scene person, the better you do your job, the less people notice.    Maybe cause a squelch every now and then or take a month vaction....   May God bless you for the service you provide.

RDB

I certainly feel for you. Our church doesn't pay its sound and projection technicians either, although I'm the staff person who puts the projection slides together, so that part is paid. We have recently hired a technical staff, who is learning the ropes, but will someday be in charge of the sound team volunteers. I think many churches are in a bind on this matter, because there are so many volunteers who go above and beyond. However, that is no excuse for not recognizing that sound technicians are indispensable, are usually the first to arrive and the last to leave. That you are not thanked for your efforts is inexcusable. The other staff and the musicians who benefit from your work should certainly be taking the time to thank you, and maybe someone needs to put a bug in your property committee's ear to ensure that gift baskets are given.

We don't pay for sound techs, but we thank them often in person because they come in early to set up every week (We are a mobile church).

In past churches, the church required that funerals, weddings, etc (anything not church sponsored) have to hire a church sound tech to run the equipment.  It wasn't much $25-50.  It did acknowledge that many of them had to sacrifice to help out (take an hour or two off work).

I work at the same church as Rick (Sherick) De Baan. I just wanted to add that for Weddings and Funerals, our facilities rental contract requires that an authorized church person run the sound & tech, and the contract stipulates they will be paid and how much for working at events that are not regularly scheduled worship services.

As Rick noted, he is paid a small stipend, but his responsibility also extends to keeping our church office computers running and helping all our staff with technology and intergrating technology in worship; not just Sunday morning responsibilities. Those who serve on the sound team and other tech-related jobs related to worship, serve as volunteers and are unpaid.

I am so saddened that you are not feeling appreciated by your church. The work you are doing is important and is I'm sure you are a great blessing! I think you would be doing a service to your church leadership to speak with them about how you are feeling. Whether it's simply lack of appreciation, or perhaps that you are overextended with how much you serve (you are BUSY!), I would hope that they would respond well to your concern.

I hope this is not the case, but it's possible that a church where a volunteer is not feeling appreciated may have other volunteers who feel the same, and they may need to think about whether they are actively working to thank and appreciate all their volunteers. It's also possible that there is a culture like this and someone just needs to be reminded of all you do!

You seem to have a heart to serve, and it is my hope that you will rediscover joy in serving God's church.

Update to this: I now have a title as "Sound Set Up Coordenator" where I set up for anything thats at church like before, but with a title.  That being said, I have since got a gift card for gas, also as long as I have it set up, I am now haveing the others run the sound out in the fellowship hall.  All this lets me breath a little and enjoy just attending with out running sound every time I'm in the building.

I didn't mention this above, but what I have found to help breath as well is for the past few years have been takeing the 4th Sunday morning every month and going to a friends church, ( A differnt one then mine) and getting away from my church to just hang with a friend.  By that knowing I cant be approached about a problem, or can you do this or that, plus I get to see my friend :)  Thank you all for your nice comments and prayers if any were offered, these things as well as them makeing it an actual title showed me they know my efforts!!

Now the new "Sound Set up Coordenator"

Brian

PS I'm also still enjoying my church just like before.  I'm not saying I wasnt appeciated before, but I've feel it more lately.

I think many churches are in a bind on this matter, because there are so many volunteers who go above and beyond. However, that is no excuse for not recognizing that sound technicians are indispensable, are usually the first to arrive and the last to leave. That you are not thanked for your efforts is inexcusable. The other staff and the musicians who benefit from your work should certainly be taking the time to thank you, and maybe someone needs to put a bug in your property committee's ear to ensure that gift baskets are given.

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