Worship Team Ministry Guidelines

Purpose of the Worship Team Ministry:

(1) To demonstrate a passion for God's glory in our daily lives;

(2) to joyfully and effectively serve as worship leaders;

(3) to lead worship with musical and theological skill;

(4) to maximize the contribution of each individual and their family members on the team; and

(5) to provide opportunities for incorporating and training others.

Tasks Toward Achieving the Purpose:

1. Model worship visually for the congregation. They should see energy, passion, and joy coming from us, as the result of our relationship with the Lord. Using your face and your hands, to give the congregation the encouragement to adore the Lord is good modeling. For this reason, a poor singer or player may be the most important member of the team. A frog with a heart for God provides a better model than a smooth, polished, heartless musician. Ideally, we'll learn to be polished AND emanate glory!


2. The players must try to learn their music by heart so their faces can be out of the music stand and can be modeling as well. Just because you play an instrument doesn't mean you never bow, lift your hands, or smile to show your adoration of the Lord.
   
3. The vocal team models the songs for the congregation. The flock needs to learn these songs by following you as you sing the melody and lyric. You are their prototype, and you'll carry them while they learn the song or stop to drink in the presence of our Lord. You'll actually be the surrogate singers for those who can't or won't open their mouths.


4. Players need to keep their instruments tuned. Trying to follow musicians with a quarter step off between the different instruments can be very damaging for the effectiveness of the team.


5. Vocal team will provide a full sound. You'll provide continuity and support throughout the praise event for the person singing lead vocals, allowing him/her the freedom to prompt, echo, dropout, pray, etc., without the song losing its dynamic.


6. Each of us needs to understand the need for theological correctness in every thing we sing. We are, "singing the TRUTH in love". You have the full right to question anything that is sung on this team and test it by scripture.


7. Provide artistic and technical excellence. Notice this is at the end of the list. It is wonderful to enhance the listening enjoyment of the congregation, but this is not the top priority. Worship is a performance for God, not man. Instrumental and choral excellence, put plainly, is a bonus.


8. Some players and singers may be asked to take lessons to improve their abilities. We will seek to help financially with this commitment as a ministry.

Preparation for Worship Team Members:

1. If you are involved in this part of the ministry, you ARE a worship leader, and therefore a leader. You must be a born-again Christian, and be living a life in Christ that's a good example to others, as outlined in the Epistles. This doesn't mean you are perfect. It means you are HONEST about your growth in the Lord Jesus. If you are not growing as a Christian you are not a leader. If you are struggling to understand what is expected in this area please feel free to talk to Travis or others on the team for a better explanation.


2. You must be more concerned about worship than music, more concerned about serving than performing.


3. You must seek to blend well with the team in music, dress and conduct. The attention needs to be focused on Jesus not any one individual.


4. You should be a regular attendee and a vocal supporter of the leadership of this church. We are leaders and we will not stand idly by in the face of grumbling or slanderous talk toward our leadership. Doctrinally, you should be in line with this ministry or keep a "low profile" on minor differences. "NO SOAP BOXING"!


5. You should be tithing. This is part of our worship leading!


6. Be at practice on time, learn your parts, and be positive, remembering that our God is a God of grace and His people should be full of grace. Growth will always be met with grace. Rebellion will always be met with discipline from the Lord. We are a small version of the larger church family. We must function as a healthy family. Let's seek growth together as a family and a team.

Process for Involvement in the Worship Team Ministry:

1. Let Travis or any of the team members know you are interested in participating. You will be asked about your decision to follow Christ and your insights into your walk with Him. We will be interested in why you feel the Lord is leading you in the direction of the music ministry with the Praise team. We would love to pray with you and answer any questions you might have.


2. Be attending regularly for at least six months and be taking part in one of the church Bible studies or care groups during the week for spiritual growth.


3. Attend practices for two month if you are a regular attendee. This will give you a chance to be sure that you are able to meet the level of commitment needed for participation in the Worship Team. If you are newer to the ministry you may be asked to practice with us longer before coming into the weekend program.


4. All Worship Team members must be in a mentoring relationship to share personal joys and struggles. The more mature members may also wish to provide mentoring for some of the other members.


5. All family members must be in full support of you being part of the team.


6. Be prepared to share your personal testimony with the team and willing to share a devotional from time to time as the Lord lays a special message on your heart.


7. Keep a short personal account with the Lord to be a vessel He can use.


8. As the Lord leads new people to the team, some of you will be asked to mentor others on their instruments or vocally. This will provide training for new people and build strong relationships with those that are new to the group.