How to Build a Strong Tech Team in Your Church Community

After the last few years, our reliance on technology in the church community has grown exponentially. After making the (very fast) jump to online-only experiences through Zoom or Youtube, and now with the return of in-person gatherings – which almost all have at least some ‘hybrid’ element for those joining from home, or from afar. Many churches are finding themselves needing to recruit new members to provide additional support to a team of worn-out faithful volunteers, or to deliver upon new and expanded technical needs.

We are now, more than ever, heavily reliant on our tech volunteer teams – and if we don’t have a pool of able volunteers and we have limited resources – how do we go about building a strong team?In this post, we’ll explore our top 5 tips and strategies for building a strong tech team in your church community.

1. Define Your Needs

Before you can start building or developing your tech team, you need to have a clear understanding of the needs in your specific context. What are the specific technology-related tasks and responsibilities that need to be fulfilled in your church? Examples might include setting up and operating the sound system, filming, editing and uploading sermons, or managing the church website and social media accounts.

Once you have a clear understanding of your needs, you can start thinking about the skills and experience required to fulfil those tasks. This will help you identify the types of volunteers or staff members you need to recruit – and what key roles need to be filled first.

2. Recruit Volunteers

The next step is to recruit volunteers to join your tech team. Look for individuals who have the skills and experience needed to fulfil the specific tasks and responsibilities you’ve identified. But don’t just focus on technical skills – also look for individuals who are passionate about the church and willing to commit their time and energy to this important work. Often a teenager who loves listening to music is better suited to learning how to mix the band than an IT manager who loves technology.

Consider creating a volunteer job description that outlines the specific tasks and responsibilities of the tech team, as well as any requirements or qualifications.

3. Provide Training and Support

Once you’ve recruited your tech team, it’s important to provide training and support to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge they need to be successful. This might include training sessions on specific software or equipment, or providing access to online training resources.

It’s also important to provide ongoing support to your tech team. Make sure they have access to technical support if they encounter any issues or problems, and provide opportunities for them to share ideas and collaborate with one another.

Discover more about Balance Local training days.

4. Foster a Culture of Collaboration and Creativity

A strong tech team is one that works well together and is able to collaborate effectively. Encourage your tech team to work together on projects and to share ideas and feedback with one another. Could you create a buddy-system where more experience members are responsible for training and developing younger members?

In addition, foster a culture of creativity and innovation within your tech team. Encourage them to experiment with new technologies and to think outside the box when it comes to solving problems or improving processes. Your team will perform more effectively for your church if they work closely with the music team rather than spending the soundcheck reading equipment manuals.

5. Recognize and Appreciate Your Tech Team

Finally, it’s important to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication of your tech team. Make sure to thank them for their contributions and sacrifice. Care first for their heart and relationship with God, then acknowledge their service within the team.

Consider hosting a volunteer appreciation event or providing small tokens of appreciation, such as gift cards or handwritten notes.

Building a strong tech team in your church community is essential for success in the digital age. By defining your needs, recruiting volunteers, providing training and support, fostering collaboration and creativity, and recognizing and appreciating your team, you can build a tech team that will help your church thrive in the digital age in your mission to preach Christ crucified.

References

• “How to Build a Tech Team in Your Church” by MinistryTech

• “The Importance of Building a Strong Tech Team” by The Church Collective

• “How to Build an Effective Church Tech Team” by ChurchTechToday

• “5 Tips for Building Your Church Tech Team” by Sharefaith