Wrship Ministry Handbk 2016 1
OUR VISION AND MISSION The VISION f the Mnterey Wrship Ministry is t nurture an envirnment in which everyne can glrify Gd with thers and be transfrmed int fully devted fllwers f Christ. Our MISSION is t create fervently passinate, yet cmpletely accessible services and gatherings in which this can happen. FERVENTLY PASSIONATE: Our wrship shall be marked by the faith and expectatin that Gd is actively present in ur praise, mving with Kingdm authrity and pwer, and radically changing lives. Practically, this lks like: Living lives f integrity, humility and Kingdm engagement: We believe this radically affects ur ability t lead and influence with mral and spiritual authrity. Owning ur calling f being lead wrshipers n matter where we are: Our psture and passin in wrship is the same wherever we are: passinate and engaged in what Gd is ding, n platfrm and ff (Rm. 12:1-2). Leading ur cngregatin thrugh transparency and authenticity: We refust t church up ur lives, but fllw Christ s cmmand t keep pen huse thrugh pening up hnestly t thers (Matt. 5:14-16 MSG). Creating sacred space fr all t vulnerably express desire fr Him and His Kingdm: We wn ur respnsibility t bring creative ideas t the table, recgnizing that ur praxis shuld change based n cntextual setting and cultural shifts. Leaving sacred space fr the Hly Spirit t mve and speak: We hnr Paul s instructins f nt quenching the Spirit by being flexible with ur agenda and acting n the urgings f the Spirit. (1 Th. 5:19-22 NIV) COMPLETELY ACCESSIBLE: Our wrship shall be in the language f the cmmn man, creating engaging wrship experiences that are culturally and cntextually relevant. Practically, this lks like: Creative planning: We believe that when the arts are dne well, they have the ability t speak t man in ways that a thusand wrds never culd. Excellent musicianship, presentatin and prductin that is stylistically accurate: We invite flks int wrship engagements that speak t them in their cntextual surrundings as much as pssible. Remaining authentic, but intentinally pursuing cultural diversity: We reflect being an invitatinal culture t thse utside ur wn age, race and sciecnmic status thrugh ur music, presentatin and prductin. Intentinally wrking tgether with ther ministries t cmmunicate the message effectively: Believing that the sum can be greater than the parts, we refuse t be sil ed in ur apprach. (Ps. 133) Keeping abreast f what is wrking utside f ur church and persnal preferences: We will be attentive t what the Hly Spirit is ding in the Church at large, recgnizing that we must remain pen t the teaching, crrectin and influence f Scripture, prayer and the Hly Spirit. 2
We believe that praise is declaring t the principalities, pwers, and rulers f darkness what Gd has dne, is ding and will d (Eph 6:12). We are called t demnstrate what Jesus carried ut in His earthly ministry (1 Jhn 3:8), a demnstratin that is manifested by the wrds we speak and by ur bedience t Gd s Wrd (Prv. 18:21, 1 Sam. 15:22). When taking the abve int cnsideratin, we, the musicians, technical artists, dramatists, and creative dreamers f this church, have an awesme respnsibility: we are mre than just a musical cllective - we are wrship leaders. The expressins n ur faces and the enthusiasm we shw will inspire the cngregatin t begin t praise Gd and t enter int an expressin f wrship and a demnstratin f praise. When the bdy f Christ begins t wrship and praise in ne accrd, the Lrd can mve in a mighty way, ften manifesting Himself in healing, deliverance and salvatin. Ours is a wrship ministry that believes in the pwer and presence f the Hly Spirit. We accept the mantle and respnsibility the Lrd has placed n us t be His vessels nt nly thrugh the music we play and sing r the technical wrk we d r the art we create, but als thrugh ur actins, attitudes and appearance. OUR FAMILY PROMISE These are the values we cmmit t hld t as members f the Mnterey Wrship Family. Cre Values -- We realize the significance and imprtance f understanding the fundatins f true wrship, and we cmmit t furthering ur knwledge f these fundatins. Gd desires a heart that fllws Him, and we cmmit t wrshiping Him nt nly with ur instruments and ur vices but als with all f ur hearts, suls, minds and strength. Wrship is a lifestyle and nt an event, and we want ur lives t be a living sacrifice fr Him. Our Character We cmmit t cntinuing ur pursuit f Christlikeness thrugh many means including the fllwing: Prayer we will pray fr the Mnterey Wrship Ministry, ur leaders, and the Mnterey Church. We will apprach ur services and rehearsals each week spiritually prepared t lead peple int a persnal wrship encunter with Gd. Private Wrship we will wrship in ur quiet time and will live a life f wrship everywhere we g. Bible Reading & Study we will engage in reading Gd s Wrd n a cnsistent basis. We will cmmit t studying Gd s wrd fervently and passinately. Christ-likeness we realize that He has called us t a life that will reflect His likeness and we cmmit t allwing His Hly Spirit t lead us int a 3
lifestyle f separatin frm the things f this wrld that culd cntaminate ur spirits and ur bdies. Our Craft Gd has blessed us with the pprtunity t serve Him using the gifts and talents He has given us. We cmmit t cntinuing ur pursuit f excellence thrugh many means including the fllwing: We will strive t play/sing all sngs exactly as psted and will cmmit t memry all music s that we will nt be dependent n charts r sheet music during service times. We will be ready t rehearse and in psitin befre all scheduled rehearsals as well as service times. We will be prepared t make any changes t the arrangements and prductin f all sngs n the sng list and will be willing t wrk while Our Cmmunicatin We cmmit t shw frth the praises f Gd in an exciting and engaging way when wrshiping Gd n the platfrm f influence that Gd has placed us. We cmmit that we will cntinually review recrded platfrm presence and we will receive encuragement and training t better ur ability t engage the cngregatins we lead. We cmmit t cmmunicating ur unavailability fr service by inputting ur Blck-ut dates in Planning Center Online. We cmmit t staying infrmed n wrship ministry matters by reading all Planning Center emails r Facebk ntificatins we receive. We have reviewed all dress cde requirements and will gladly adhere t all platfrm plicies. Our Culture We see the value in nurturing a healthy relatinship with all ministry members and ther persnal relatinships. We cmmit t lve, value, respect and prtect thse we serve thrugh many means including the fllwing: Trust we cmmit t trust thers within healthy bundaries while believing the best mtives. Encuragement we cmmit t affirm, build, and encurage thers. Reslutin we cmmit t reslve cnflict with frgiveness and recnciliatin. Unity we cmmit t walk in unity with grace and truth. 4
Accuntability we cmmit t being accuntable t thers that we might prduce fruitful returns. SCHEDULING Fun we cmmit t having fun as a team and family! All scheduling infrmatin is dne thrugh https://www.planningcenternline.cm. All ministry infrmatin is dispersed primarily thrugh Planning Center emails, as well as thrugh ur Mnterey Wrship Ministry Facebk Grup. This grup is clsed yu must be invited by the administratr t be a part. If yu are NOT a part f this grup, please let ne f the MLT knw. As ptential team members g thrugh the auditin and placement prcess, the MLT wrks prayerfully t determine the best placement and fit fr the seasn fr each applicant. Rtatin Our scheduling philsphy cnstitutes a rtatin f all instrumentalists and vcalists. If yu ve been excluded frm yur team s schedule, it was likely dne in errr. Team members in this situatin shuld cntact Sam Suder (ssuder@mntereycc.rg) s he is aware. Cnfirmatins and Cancellatins Once scheduled fr a service, an email will be autmatically sent t yu, asking fr a cnfirmatin. Simply fllw the link in the email r lg in t the website t cnfirm r decline. If yu are scheduled fr an event fr which yu cannt servce, yu may decline the event by inputting a reasn fr the decline. Bear in mind that as we ask fr blck-ut dates in advance, there shuld nt be many declines. 5
DRESS CODE GUIDELINES The platfrm is the mst visible place in the church. As leaders n the platfrm, the clthes we wear need t be cnsidered intentinally, and with care. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, Peple lk at the utward appearance, but the Lrd lks at the heart. We can cnvey ur value fr what we re ding and the King we are wrshiping by what we wear. This means we need t cnsider the level f excellence with which we dress and the level f mdesty we re presenting. Dress s the cngregatin can see Wh we re wrshiping, and nt us as leaders. Here are sme guidelines t fllw (this is nt an exhaustive list): N hles in jeans. N shrts r t-shirts. N lw-cut r skin-tight clthing. N bare shulders. Wear an undershirt f an apprpriate clr when needed. If wearing a buttn-up shirt, please make sure the shirt is buttned at an apprpriate place. Befre yu finalize yur utfit, make sure yu can jump, bw, clap, kneel, walk, lean frward, and mve. Yur level f expressin cannt be determined and/r inhibited by yur clthing. If any part f yur utfit prevents any f the abvelisted frms f expressin, it s nt apprpriate fr any service at Mnterey, and it will be addressed. Air ducts are psitined directly abve the platfrm s please be mindful when chsing dresses r skits t wear. PREPARATION AND REHEARSALS Preparatin Cme prepared spiritually. Cme in tune with Gd. Ask Him what His heart is s when we cme tgether we can mve unified as a team. Take time t seek Him befre yu cme. Yu ll find the sng lists psted n the schedule several days in advance f rehearsals. Click the links t listen t audi recrdings and view the sheet music. Strive t play/sing all sngs exactly as psted r ntated n charts, and cmmit t memry all music s that yu will nt be dependent n charts r music during service times. Practice & Rehearsal There is a difference between PRACTICE and REHEARSAL. Practice is hw we prepare n ur wn at hme, in the car, etc. Rehearsal is when we put all f ur individual practice tgether. 6
Rehearsal is a band-vcal-technical run thrugh it shuld NOT be the first time yu lk r listen t the music. Prepare befrehand s ur sund check and rehearsals are successful and mve quickly, ut f respect fr thers time. Be read t rehearse and in psitin befre all scheduled rehearsal and service times (rehearsal times will be n Planning Center Online emails and n the service page if yu ever frget). Be prepared t make any changes t the arrangements and prductin f all sngs n the sng list and be willing t wrk with team leaders while exhibiting a helpful and psitive attitude. PLATFORM PRESENCE Bdy language is a huge frm f cmmunicatin. We all knw what it is like t say ne thing while ur bdy is actually saying anther. When yu are n the platfrm, yur presence is as imprtant as yur musicianship. Smiles, hands raised, eyes clsed are utward expressin f the wrship taking place within ur hearts. Tips fr Better Platfrm Presence Lk in the mirrr and watch what yu lk like jump, clap, bw, dance, raise yur hands, be engaging. If smething appears awkward, adjust it t make sure yu are cmmunicating what yu want t cmmunicate. D nt let the cngregatin determine yur level f expressin. Smetimes they will nt be engaged in wrship. As leaders, we always need t be engaged. Shw them an example f hw t express wrship. Mst f the time, they simply need t see wrship in rder t learn hw t express it n their wn. Be sincere. Wrship frm yur heart. Give a warm smile frm within. We are leading peple frm all different circumstances, s remember that a warm smile ministers mre than yu realize. Vcalists - When yu are singing, have the micrphne t yur face but dn t blck it. When there is a lng perid f time in which yu re nt singing int yur micrphne, mve it away frm yur face but still cntinue t sing and wrship. Stay engaged at all times. Instrumentalists - Be sure t stay engaged in wrship. Practice ahead f time s yu dn t have t fcus n yur instrument the whle time. Sing while yu play. Seeing a musician singing frm their heart can really lead peple well. Mve arund yur area. Use yur space t the fullest. When there is n mvement, the platfrm can lk stagnant. 7
MORAL RESPONSIBILITIES This manual is nt intended t be a cmplete rulebk fr all persnal activity f ur team members. It is, hwever, a set f guidelines and cmmunicatin items that we wuld rather address n the frnt end, instead f waiting fr an incident t take place. Alchl and Drug Plicy In keeping with ur calling t be wrshipers n the platfrm as well as ff, participatin in any behavir which may impede ur ability t be witnesses fr Christ and examples f Christ-likeness will be grunds fr immediate remval frm any and all team participatin. This includes, but is nt limited t: Drunkenness Cming t services r rehearsal while under the influence Intxicatin We desire a safe place fr members f ur wrship ministry t rehearse and serve, and any evidence f substance abuse which endangers self r thers n ur team are in direct vilatin f the missin f ur ministry. Sexual Purity The Wrd f Gd is clear that any sexual relatinship utside the Biblical cvenant f marriage is strictly frbidden. We als believe that Gd has called us t a standard f high accuntability when it cmes t the relatinships we are invlved in with ther members f the team and with peple utside f ur team. This high standard requires us t set frth certain guidelines that will ensure that we avid the appearance f immrality. Fr clarificatin, here are several standards we cmmit t adhere t: We will keep ur eyes pure and we will nt allw prngraphy, inapprpriate media, etc., t cntaminate ur heart and spirit (Ps 101:3). All male-female relatinships will glrify Gd and will be accuntable t thse arund us by: Nt being alne in apartments r hmes. Nt engaging in sexual activity that is reserved fr the institutin f marriage. 8
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS Ministry team placement may be revked in the actins f a team members are deemed detrimental t the ministry f Mnterey wrship and/r Mnterey Church. Such discipline will be carried ut at the discretin f the wrship minister and MLT and may be different depending n each individual/situatin that may arise, and will be dne in a lving, cnstructive manner that encurages recnciliatin, restratin t team invlvement (if apprpriate) and relatinships, and healing. Reasns fr discipline may include, but are nt limited: Vilatin f alchl/drug plicy Vilatin f sexual purity as described in this dcument r elsewhere in scripture Demnstrating a pattern f tardiness t rehearsals and/r services Demnstrating a lack f preparatin prir t rehearsals Shwing a lack f respect t fellw team members in language, attitude, etc. EXITING THE TEAM Shuld the need arise fr yu t exit ministry participatin fr a seasn r indefinitely, please talk with the wrship minister r a member f the MLT. IMPORTANT LINKS AND CONTACT INFO Sam Suder (Wrship Minister) ssuder@mntereycc.rg (817) 307-5278 (cell) (806) 795-5201 (ffice) Planning Center Online www.planningcenternline.cm Mnterey Wrship Facebk Grup https://www.facebk.cm/grups/494615647372578/ 9