Being "behind the curtain"

[Sam_2.0]

I wonder if this is a common feeling for clergy members. FIL is the music pastor at our church. DH plays guitar and sings with his dad every Sunday. I've recently started helping out with running the computer for the service (songs, slides during the message, etc).

On Sunday I realized that I just really was not as in to the service when I was sitting back behind the computer as I was when I was sitting out in the pews. Something about knowing all the intricate details of the service before-hand kind of ruins the magic, as it were.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...it can be common... but probably not more so than a doctor sitting in the ER waiting room with their kid who broke their arm...

[irishpad]

I think what you describe is a very common experience for those helping with the services.  My current head music leader cherishes the rare weekend where she is able to "just sit in the pews" and be like a regular parishioner.   When I was younger and played guitar every weekend at services I would often attend a second time where I wasn't "on" for anything.   Currently I love it when I'm on vacation because then I can attend a service and enjoy the worship incognito.  

[Opti]

Feb 1, 2013 17:39:45 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

I wonder if this is a common feeling for clergy members. FIL is the music pastor at our church. DH plays guitar and sings with his dad every Sunday. I've recently started helping out with running the computer for the service (songs, slides during the message, etc).

On Sunday I realized that I just really was not as in to the service when I was sitting back behind the computer as I was when I was sitting out in the pews. Something about knowing all the intricate details of the service before-hand kind of ruins the magic, as it were.

I can't speak for clergy but I will speak as someone who was involved in both choir and playing cello for special services.
I often started getting punchy around the third of fourth service
of the day whether it was Easter or say Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. I loved playing and I loved my time in the Youth choir growing up. Being we were Lutheran, we were somewhat hard core. Everyone learned to sight read music before 5th grade
and we also sang in German and Latin occasionally.

While luckily the youth choir rarely performed at all services be cause the adult choir anchored the late morning service, as a musician in the small orchestra it was a long day. Easter was sunrise service through the service at 11AM followed by Easter breakfast. I remain grateful that the minister started giving us the ability to escape into his office during the sermon which actually made it easier to hear plus gave us a break from being on display.

To be honest I never thought of it the way you describe it. Ministers go into to it knowing their whole week is based on Sunday(or whatever day) services so its kind of a known thing. I
think for those who aren't paid to be there and help(or are paid something but not enought to live on...) it is a different animal entirely. Most churches run on copious amounts of volunteer hours in addition to paid ministers, etc.

[trevorw2539]

I have to agree in some ways. I used to play the Organ. Some of the time was spent looking for the next hymn, looking to see what the Vicar was doing. Watching for cues to start playing for the choir to sing during communion. More during other ceremonies. It off-putting.