🎚️ The Gatekeepers of the Atmosphere

Hey team,

This past week I was in a packed arena in Oklahoma City for the LifeSurge event. As Bethel Music took the stage and thousands of voices began to sing, I was struck by a powerful reality of ministry.

Before the first speaker ever opened their Bible, the atmosphere in the room was being intentionally set. The music was preparing the hearts of every person there to receive the message that was to come.

In the Old Testament, King David appointed the Levites as gatekeepers and musicians. Their job was specific: "to make music with instruments... raising the sound of joy" (1 Chronicles 15:16). They were tasked with creating an atmosphere where God’s presence was honored and the people were ready to hear from Him.

That calling has not changed. As sound techs, we are the modern-day gatekeepers of that same atmosphere. Our work is a ministry of preparation.

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SUNDAYMIX MAIN LESSON

Main Lesson: Making the Message Intelligible

Sitting in that arena, I was studying the mix. With a stage full of talented musicians, the most impressive thing was not the power of the guitars or the size of the drums; it was the absolute clarity of the lead vocal. The message was never lost. This clip was captured on my iPhone, so it’s not as clear as in person. Let me tell you something, I’m not really an emotional guy, but this moment brought a tear to my eye it was so beautiful. Listen to it with headphones if you can.

This isn't just a matter of technical preference; it's a biblical principle. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14:9, "...if you in a tongue utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air."

When our mix is muddy and cluttered, with the vocal buried under a wall of instruments, we are, in effect, speaking into the air. We are allowing the message—the intelligible word—to be lost.

The solution the pros use is not just turning the vocal up. It is intentionally making space for it. They use careful, subtractive EQ to carve out a pocket in the competing instruments, creating a space where the vocal can live, breathe, and be understood without having to be loud or harsh.

This act of "making space" in our mix is a direct reflection of our spiritual duty to make the message clear.

Bringing It Home to Your Church

Most of us are not mixing in an arena for a world-renowned band. But our calling is exactly the same. We are called to "work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" (Colossians 3:23).

The commitment to making the Word intelligible, to removing distraction, and to faithfully stewarding the atmosphere of worship—that is a universal calling. It applies whether you have a 100-channel console or a 12-channel analog board. The heart behind the work and the biblical principles that guide it are identical.

Action Steps for This Week

1. Pray as a Gatekeeper. Before your next service, don't just pray for the gear to work. Pray specifically that God would use your hands to create an atmosphere free of distraction, where the message of the songs and the sermon can be heard and understood with clarity.

2. Make One Thing Intelligible. Instead of trying to make the whole mix perfect this Sunday, focus on one thing: the clarity of the lead vocal. Find the instrument that is fighting it the most (often a guitar or piano) and practice making space for the vocal by cutting a bit of mid-range from that instrument.

3. Read 1 Chronicles 15. Take ten minutes this week to read this chapter. Put yourself in the story and see how seriously David and the Levites took their role in preparing the way for the Ark of the Covenant with music and praise. Your role is part of that same sacred tradition.

For Those Seeking a Christ-Centered Partner

Your work behind the console is a profound spiritual responsibility. Thank you for stewarding it with excellence.