Being Upfront & Using a Mic
Hosts/announcement people do have to be at church early, at 10:15, and be ready for a pre-meeting and to check in with the rest of the team about the service order.
The mics are on when the button is flipped into the up position. You may or may not see a light on some mics, you may or may not immediately be able to hear the mic, but if it’s flipped up it’s on.
The volume level of the mic is the sound person’s job. They will turn you up to the right volume. They will mute you as you put the mic back down on the pulpit. You just lift the mic, wait a moment, and speak.
If you start the service as a host with an introduction, please make eye contact with the sound person before trying to speak. This will signal you’re ready and they’re ready.
Give the sound person a half-second AFTER you raise the mic to your lips to speak. This gives them and the technology the time necessary to make sure you’re ready to be heard.
If you fear/get nervous the mic isn’t working right or is not loud enough or too loud or anything like that, there is no need to say anything like, “Is this thing on?” or “Can you hear me now?” or “Wow that’s super loud! Sorry!” No need to draw any more attention to the problem. Your job is only to vocalize the best you can what you have to say. It’s the sound people’s problem if you’re not sounding right, and only they are responsible for noticing it and fixing it.
If you are speaking and a loud feedback noise sounds, all you have to do is pause and wait for it to end and then return to speaking. The congregation knows that it is not your fault, and the sound people will work to fix it.
Before you speak publicly, rehearse what you will say. If you’re going to be introducing the service, giving the offering talk, the announcements, scripture reading, or the closing, be prepared for what you’re supposed to say, whether reading through it a few times, writing it down, or speaking it mentally or out loud at home.
Please dont chew gum while hosting or giving announcements.
The introduction, offering talk, and benediction on a Sunday morning should be brief (no more than a few minutes a piece)
