Mission of the Worship Team: To create an atmosphere in which people can be led by the Holy Spirit into an encounter with God. Worship Ministry & Worship Team Handbook By John Oscar Cordero As adapted from the Grace United Methodist Church Worship Handbook Last updated March 2014 Dedicated to those who are called to serve the Lord through worship ministry.
Worship Ministry & Worship Team Handbook 2 Contents: The What s and Why s Praise God for Your Interest in Music Ministry..3 Purpose of the Worship Team Worship Philosophy Worship Ministry Requirements.. 4 The How s Building the Song Set Worship Creativity........5 Meeting for Prayer Dress Code Rehearsals....6 The Matthew 18 Rule for Reconciliation Final Thoughts Key Sources in Creating This Handbook...7 Special Thanks
Worship Ministry & Worship Team Handbook 3 Praise God for Your Interest in Music Ministry Worship is such an essential part, if not the defining characteristic of a believer in Christ Jesus. Because of this, we should treat God s requirement to worship Him as priority in both our heart and lifestyle. Purpose of the Worship Team The first and foremost purpose of any worship team in general is to give full glory and praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the creator of the universe and should be the central and complete focus of everything we do. He is worthy of all our worship. In our church, school, and community, it is the responsibility of the worship team to create an atmosphere in which people can be led by the Holy Spirit into an encounter with God. The worship team brings several different elements to the service of worship. Not only does this include music, but also the spoken message, scripture reading, drama, visual arts, and media. These ministries should not be a task taken lightly. We must bring God the best we can possible give that is what we call excellence. In the context of a worship team, excellence would include all of the talents and skills He has blessed us with, time devoted to rehearsals, practicing and learning at home, and leading worship services with a genuine heart that glorifies God. Worship Philosophy Music is an essential part of worship. Psalm 81:1-4 says, Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Jacob. Sing! Beat the tambourine. Play the sweet lyre and the harp. Blow the ram s horn at new moon, and again at full moon to call a festival! For this is required by the decrees of Israel; it is a regulation of the God of Jacob (NLT). Music is something that is not only encouraged for worship in the Bible, but it is commanded. It is a very valuable gift we have for leading people into worship. Although music is a huge part of worship, it should not be thought of as the entirety of worship itself. Worship is to be an expression of love and praise toward God that comes out from our entire lives not just our songs. Remember, worship is not just a part of a service, worship is a lifestyle. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1 NIV). We are to live our lives for the glory of God! This is true worship. Because worship is a lifestyle, if you choose to be a worship leader, not only will you be leading others towards Christ on the stage, but in your everyday lives as well. This means the message and values you present on the public stage should be congruent to the message and values you present on a daily basis. If we simply sing the words and play the notes without believing in the songs, our focus is not on Jesus and it will show through to the congregation. But if we are genuine, and our hearts are really focused on God, that too will be evident to the congregation and can inspire them in their own personal worship.
Worship Ministry & Worship Team Handbook 4 Worship Ministry Requirements As a worship team musician, vocalist, artist, or technician, you need to be skilled and talented enough to follow along at the level of the other participants. In addition, you must be a good fit in style, blend, personality, and skills. Here are some general guidelines: Musicians need to be able to: - Perform well with others - Learn new material quickly - Demonstrate suitable ability and style on an instrument - Follow lead sheets and chord charts Singers need to be able to: - Perform well with others - Learn new material quickly - Demonstrate suitable style, range, blend, and accurate pitch Building the Song Set Choosing the songs for each service can be one of the most challenging tasks of a worship leader. First, the songs must be relevant to the current theme or the message of the service. Second, the music should be relevant and appropriate for the congregation. And third, the lyrics of the songs should reflect biblical principles. Song sets should start by asking the congregation to stand and begin with lively praise songs. This gets people to relax and to open their mouths. Unless the prayer is short, try to stay away from starting the set with a prayer simply because prayer is usually meditative and instantly lowers the tempo. Remember that it is always easier to climb down from a height than climb up from a depth. While building a song set, keep in mind that the congregation should not be standing for more than 10 minutes. If your song set is 4 songs, make the first two lively while the congregation stands, and the last two mellower while the congregation sits. Contact the music director before introducing a new song. People like to participate in the singing of songs that they know and can personally connect to. New songs take several weeks before people can really connect with it. Sure, there are exceptions but they are rare. When finished building the set, send it to the music director to make sure that no songs have been over-played.
Worship Ministry & Worship Team Handbook 5 Worship Creativity An essential element of worship includes the creativity of the individual worship leaders. If we can make a song "ours" in a way that still has the same fingerprint of the original song, our worship becomes authentic to who we are. It is part of the commitment to excellence. This can be applied by adding different dynamics, chord variations, etc. Though, be careful not to change the song so much that the congregation becomes lost in the arrangement. We must understand that worship is different for everyone and that everyone has their own unique way of leading people into worship. Stay true to yourself while following the guidelines of this handbook. Please remember to be yourself when worshipping God. The intentions of this handbook is not to be controlling but rather to help those in worship ministry be on the same page. Meeting for Prayer Before each service, the worship team will spend around 5 minutes in prayer and devotion with the music director or floor director. In addition to the crucial need for prayer, this helps gather everyone together in time and prepares the participants minds for the service. Dress Code As mentioned before, this is a leadership ministry and we are all leaders and therefore, have an example to set. Our dress code is casual, but modest and presentable. For instance, avoid wearing clothing that is excessively worn and wearing revealing clothing. Whether on stage or behind it, we do not want our clothing to get in the way or be a distraction while leading worship. Overall, remember if you are unsure if it is acceptable, you probably shouldn t wear it. Though, please be mindful that our Sabbath Best could cause others to perceive our ministry as being unwelcoming toward those that look different or don t meet our expensive dress code; we always want to present a ministry that comes across as being accepting and approachable by those feeling called to ministry within our congregation as well as first-time worshippers. Examples That Are Acceptable: Dresses Pants Dockers or Slacks Modest Skirts Nice Colored or Denim Jeans Nice T-shirts without Logos/Writing. Christian logos are permitted Knit, Button-Up or Polo Shirts Hooded sweat-shirts Dress-hats, Knit-caps without Logos/Writing, Christian logos are permitted Sweaters and Sweat-shirts without Logos/Writing, Christian logos are permitted Examples That Are Not Acceptable: Tank, Tube, or Halter Tops & other Strapless Shirts
Worship Ministry & Worship Team Handbook 6 Excessively Worn or Torn Clothing Exercise Pants or Sweats Exposed Belly Buttons or Midriffs Shorts (Including Walking Shorts) Excessively Short Skirts Dresses with High Slits up into the thigh area T-shirts with Logos/Writing Overly wrinkled clothing Baseball Caps Rehearsals Worship team members are expected to be faithful and punctual in their attendance of rehearsals, services, and other events for which they are scheduled. Excessive absence or tardiness may result in a probationary improvement period or removal from future participation. The Matthew 18 Rule for Reconciliation At times, conflict will arise. When it does, God has prepared us with the tools we need to face it and see it through positively, efficiently, and in an edifying manner. In Matthew 18:15-20 we see the steps we are to take to positively resolve conflict: a) Tell them in private of the wrong that was perceived b) Go again with one or two other worship team members present c) Bring it up with the director or on-site pastor for council and help with the resolution. Remember when two or three come together in His name, He is there with them! Final Thoughts Every one of us was created to worship our Everlasting God. Through the songs that we sing, the actions of our hands, the sacrifice we make as we turn our lives over to Him, our very lives become an offering to our King. Worship is how we connect with our Creator and give Him all of the honor that is due to Him. What an honor and privilege it is to be able to facilitate part of that worship for people! As worship leaders we have been called to guide the broken to the Healer, the hungry to the Bread of Life, and the lost to the Shepherd. Pray that we never lose sight of that mission. Let us also pray that our focus will never be taken off of Christ as the Object of our worship. Your dedication and service to the ministry is greatly appreciated. A lot of time and work goes into preparing services each week, and your dedication will reflect a commitment to making each and every service a blessing. May you glorify the Lord in all that you do! Mission of the Worship Team: To create an atmosphere in which people can be led by the Holy Spirit into an encounter with God.
Worship Ministry & Worship Team Handbook 7 Key Sources in Creating This Handbook Worship Ministry & Praise Team Handbook By Hannaford Street Bible Church The Worship Leader s Handbook, By Tom Kaeuter Planted By the Water, By Chris Falson Experiencing Worship, By Stephen M. Newman Worship Team Handbook, By Alison Siewert, Andy Crouch, Matt Frazier, Sundee Frazier Fishnet Website Worship List Archives, A posting from Mike Moore of Salisbury Church, Charleston,Illinois www.fni.com/worship/199901/msg00195.html or www.salisbury-church.org Boston Chi Alpha Campus Ministries Website, Worship Training www.cacmboston.org/documents/worship_training_guide WP_.pdf Experiencing Worship Website Guidelines and Qualifications for, the Worship Team, By Stephen M. Newman www.experiencingworship.com/articles/general/2001-7-worship-team-guidelines.html Praise Band Handbook: A Guide to Managing a Praise & Worship Band By Ben Wulpi, Worship Leadership, May 3, 2007 http://www.scribd.com/doc/185187/praise-band-handbook A Guide to Leading Effective Praise and Worship http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/columns/aneelaranha/praiseandworship/ Special Thanks Ariana Casiano Donavan Childs Josh Estrada Craig Hadley Mattie Lake Isai Moran Obed Olivarria Kaitlin Rice Garrett Speyer Kevin Straine Tim Swanson Kandavin Thorng