This article is primarily written for leaders of Technical Ministries Teams, however most of its concepts can certainly apply to individual TechTeam members.

As Techs we clearly understand the need for Preventative Maintenance (PM) on our equipment. PMing is considered "business as usual" and assures our equipment will work at its best and not let us down when called upon. But what about our people?

People, like equipment, need to be PMed too. But rather than looking at it as Preventative Maintenance, I would prefer the term Precious People Maintenance (PPM). Why "Precious" People Maintenance rather than just simply People Maintenance? Because, without our "Precious" people our equipment serves no purpose, no matter how well it is maintained. And without our "Precious" People we get to do it alone.

As leaders, we will spend hours and hours learning everything there is to know about our equipment: studying manuals, reading trade journals, participating in discussion groups and attending conferences. We will brag about the equipment we have to work with and about the concerts or special events we have worked. But will we put the same effort into the people who volunteer their time and talent to run this equipment?

We must take our focus off the equipment (not that it's not important, it just shouldn't be number one) and place it on our people. The people we work with and lead are much more important than the equipment we maintain.

No one will argue that without some kind of maintenance, breakdowns will occur. Therefore, we must understand this critical concept or we will experience people breakdowns, especially during the stress of a major production. Let me offer some ideas that are critical in the PPM of any TechTeam.

First PPM: Keep Vocalizing the "3-Ws"

WHO! We are Christians. As techs we often get so involved in what we do and how we do it that we forget who we are. We must be accountable to each other as Christians. We must have time together, just for the purpose of better understanding our relationship with each other, our relationship with our God, and to take time to encourage and pray for each other.

WHAT! We do tech. Meeting the needs of both those on the platform or stage and those sitting in the audience. Our job is to enable the people on the stage to do their best so that the people in the audience can receive the best they can deliver. Working in such a way that we enhance their experience, being more than transparent.

WHY! We serve God. He has given us our very unique abilities. It should be understood by all on the TechTeam that there is a "chain of command" and we, as servants, are at the bottom. First, we serve our God. Next we serve our Pastor, and the persons on the stage: musician, singer, actor, or speaker. Lastly, we serve the observers, the audience. We must humble ourselves to be dedicated servants.

Second PPM: Function As a Team

Establish an identity as a TechTeam. This shows purpose through common goals (see related article "The Statement of Purpose") and establishes the TechTeam as a valued resource in the church. Design a Tech Team logo and put it on a polo shirt. Wear the shirts to all events requiring tech. Through the establishment of a TechTeam, we can take ownership and pride for our actions, collectively, and establish a group identity. And by all means, do things together. Go on outings, eat together, maybe after church, and fellowship together. Have monthly meetings to keep all informed of what's going on. You get the idea.

Third PPM: Take Time for Training

This one is so simple, but so overlooked. When a tech fails, it's not because they want to, but because they don't know how to succeed. I have never met a sound tech, other than one ringing out a room, that intentionally wanted to cause feedback. But it happens all the time. Set aside specific time for in-house training and attend local and regional workshops. In addition to formal training, make trade journals, copies of operation manuals, and technical books available to the team members.

Fourth PPM: Give Time Off...

Guard against BURN OUT. The best way to do this is to pass the tech responsibilities around. Don't fall in the trap of thinking you are, or for that matter anyone else is, the only person that can do the job "right." It may be true that no one else can do the job the same way you do it and levels of expertise do differ. However, if any one job is limited to one individual that individual will burn out. Provide a rotation that will assure time off for all members of the TechTeam. My preference is a rotation of two weeks on, two off. This method not only provides a break from the routine, it also gives the techs time to worship with their families.

Fifth PPM: Be the Leader, Not the Doer

This is a tough pill for many TechTeam Leaders to swallow. The reason for this is most of us have attained the level of Tech Director or Leader because of our skills in one specific area dealing with Tech. And we often want to own that area, not giving in to the desire of volunteers to work in that area. This is most often the case when it comes to the sound console operator. If this sounds like you, step back and view your position from that of the volunteer.

Use your skills to teach your expertise, passing your knowledge on to others and allowing yourself to work with all elements of Technical Ministries. Watch over your team, not just the sound console.

So much to say and so little space!

As TechTeam Leaders we have taken upon ourselves the responsibility of providing technical excellence to The Church and we can't do it alone. Build your TechTeam and maintain it through PPM, Precious People Maintenance. It is our people, not our equipment that are our most valuable resource. Make them the priority of your time, and your equipment will never perform better.