Worship Team Groups (10-26-15)

Your worship team may be as simple as three people who rotate leading music during worship on Sabbath. Or, your worship team may be large, with several teams of four to eight people each, which rotate, and technical sub-ministries or groups that provide worship leadership in a number of settings besides morning worship. Examples of such groups include a praise team that leads congregational singing; vocal soloists, duets, trios and quartets; instrumental teams that combine piano, organ, guitar, percussion, etc.; a choir that involves a number of members; a drama team that provides creative ways to touch hearts; media technicians who know that a picture is worth a thousand words; sound and lighting specialists; a children’s choir; a musician’s fellowship; outreach ministries of many kinds; a vocal ensemble or instrumental ensemble; and even a full orchestra.

Some worship teams serve primarily on service morning. Other worship or music ministries may focus mostly on a midweek or Friday evening service. Sometimes the budding musicians in your church need opportunity to practice and partake, but may not be ready for the main morning service. These folks may participate in other church services and in outreach opportunities to area churches, special events, children’s church, or even in nursing homes. As a worship team, do not think small and narrow; think broadly about encouraging anyone interested in participating. Provide a wide menu for participation even if it is holding cue cards, switching lights, moving microphones or stage props. Everyone is important!

Formation of a Worship Team (10-23-15)

There is only one effective way to recruit individuals to serve on a worship team. They must be asked personally. No matter how many announcements are made in the bulletin and from the pulpit, most people will not respond until they have a private conversation with a leader who asks them very clearly and specifically to join the worship team. This is essential and cannot be disregarded because of lack of time, etc., or the entire idea will fail to be effective.

When worship teams are initially formed, the pastor or an elder who oversees worship must do the asking. Once a team has been functioning for a while and replacements or additional team members are needed, then the team leader or the coordinator of worship teams should do the asking.

Often individuals asked to take on an important responsibility need time to think about it, pray about it and consider the key aspects of the role. That may seem to slow down progress, but it is really a good thing. The more careful consideration is given to the call to worship ministry, the stronger the foundation for future leadership.

It is important to put in writing the agreement by which a person becomes a part of the worship team. Provide a letter to welcome new members to the worship team. It can also be placed in the binder or information packet given to every team member. It can be customized for your situation.

Since joining a worship team is like joining a small group, many ministry leaders find a group covenant extremely helpful. It raises the commitment level of each team member and reminds each person of their challenge and calling.

The role of the worship team leader is an important one and must be clearly understood by the person(s) serving in that role. Handout written details that identify specific responsibilities of the worship team leader or worship coordinator. This role is sometimes called the Creative Director for worship.

Excellence in Worship Teams (10-21-15)

Personal excellence is nothing greater or nothing less than doing our best. This means discovering our unique niche where our individual passions, talents, and spiritual gifts converge, and working out of our strengths. Excellence in the Body of Christ is nothing greater or nothing less than doing our best. This means discovering where people can serve with their greatest strengths as well as finding the strongest people for a ministry.

In smaller congregations where there are fewer individuals, members may be asked to work outside their gifted areas in order to get the job done. In a larger congregation there is a chance for more specialization. Individuals can find their niche and flourish there.

As a congregation grows, there will be times when the pioneers will step aside from some ministries and make room for those who are even more talented and specialized. These pioneers will then be freed up to specialize in their areas of giftedness. Since the objective is not personal glory, rather glory for God, the stepping aside can be done with dignity and grace.

There will be a continued effort to discover each individual’s passions, talents, and gifts. The church will provide opportunity for the training and development of those unique qualities. Training programs will be designed to let the members succeed in lower profile experiences until they have proved themselves.

One of the benefits of this approach is increased excellence of the worship service. The quality will be raised a few notches and those serving will have great joy and fulfillment. The Body of Christ is blessed, the community is blessed, and those ministering are blessed.

Another benefit is increased efficiency. Those gifted in certain areas will reach a benchmark of quality more quickly than those working outside their area of giftedness. Furthermore, if they put in as much time as those who aren’t quite as gifted, they can raise the benchmark to a higher level.

How to Operate Worship Teams (10-20-15)

If you have worked through parts one and two on worship teams, you are ready to pull together a team and begin its work. How many people do you need? What will they do? What about rehearsals? How do you keep the team going? How often will you meet? This session will focus on a variety of suggestions gleaned from the experiences of worship teams both in Adventist churches and other Protestant congregations. Think about how these ideas apply to your situation and customize them to fit your church.

Perhaps the first item to think about is simply this: Does your local church need a single worship team or several teams? This depends very much on the specific role of your team or teams. If the worship team is to be primarily a planning group, then only one team is necessary in all except the very largest congregations. If your team(s) is to play a key role in actually leading worship each Sabbath, then it would be a good idea to have two, three or four teams, so that each team only needs to be on duty one or two services a month.

Characteristics of a Healthy Worship Team

How does a worship team function when it is healthy and effective? There are five fundamental traits of healthy teams to consider:

1. Everyone on a healthy worship team is committed to the same vision. They agree to focus on reaching for the vision and mission of the local church. This shared focus helps hold the team together. It keeps them on track. An effective leader casts the vision again and again in every team meeting and rehearsal. The leader regularly reminds each person why the team exists.

2. A healthy worship team desires mutual results. Together the team functions, knowing they can go much further as a group than they ever could alone. Another term to describe this interdependent facet of team life is synergy. That is, the output is greater than the sum of the individual parts. A worship team recognizes that there are and never will be a “star of the show” in leading worship. The only star is Jesus.

3. Healthy teams play together and pray together. A worship team that spends time building relationships outside of planning meetings and rehearsals will foster nurturing relationships that will last and help carry the team through difficult times. Teams that spend time worshipping the Lord and praying for one another will outlast groups which piece music together to put on a performance.

4. Healthy worship teams foster new leaders. A worship leader should consider part of his or her responsibility to find and mentor new leaders. As the worship team develops and grows, a leader will strengthen the ministry by raising up new leaders. That means nurturing talent, but also simply caring for the spiritual development of those in the team.

5. A healthy team is clear about the difference between leading worship and performing. It may seem like a subtle difference, but it is tempting to become self-focused when leading worship instead of God-focused. A person can lead a flawless worship service totally void of the Spirit.

Where Will It be Done? (10-19-15)

Goals are measurable, specific things to be achieved. For example, the goals of a worship team might include conducting monthly assessments, planning two large music events around holidays, and including a certain number of songs each week that appeal to certain groups in the church.

Strategies focus on the basic elements of how you will do your ministry. If a worship team is going to positively impact worship services, for example, they will probably want to have regular planning meetings and rehearsals. They may also want to conduct debrief after each service, provide training, and develop a system for caring for the members of the team.

Tasks are the specific “to do” lists that implement strategies and accomplish goals. The four elements of a clear task include who will do it, how much will it cost, how long will it take (or when should it be done), and where will it be done. For example, Julie may be asked to put together a sample worship input sheet to be handed out to seven people once a month on Sabbath asking for their response to the service. She may be given a budget to make some phone calls, photocopies, or money to buy a resource. She may also be asked to have something ready in one month. Of course she can work on it at home, but may be given permission to use the computer and printer at the church office if needed.

5. Affirm the Leader: Before you put the plan into motion, the leader needs to be affirmed. Even though the need, the people, and the program may be in place, without the right leader, a worship team should not be started. Affirmed leadership will take appropriate responsibility for the ministry. Without the right leader, problems may be quickly given to others who may not have the passion or gifts to resolve them.

Sometimes the leader is identified before the proposal is presented to the church board and the suggested leader’s name is a part of that proposal. Without a designated leader, the ministry is doomed. A leader provides guidance, has a clear picture of the direction of the ministry and coordinates problem-solving for the team.

Should the leader be an equipper or a doer? At times we confuse the role of a good leader as someone who “does everything.” That is not what a worship team leader is all about. Ephesians 4 speaks of “equipping” gifts to help the members “do ministry.” A good leader is an equipper, helping the rest of the team serve effectively. It is true that some leaders will play a primary role on Sabbath morning, perhaps leading music. But in a best case scenario, a good leader reserves energy and time to build up the team. What happens when we place “doers” in the place of equippers? Such leaders will often do everything themselves. They will not build a team and attract new members. They often become overwhelmed and do a mediocre job of serving. The ministry will lack vision and be stifled. And, in the end, these people may quit. Strong “task” people are often put in roles of leadership. Try seeking a leader who is someone who thinks more in terms of “we” than “me”, who is in touch with the need to train, delegate, share, and work alongside others.

Even if such a leader cannot be found, cast the vision for that role. No one will perfectly fill it. By describing it from the outset in these terms, the worship team will more likely flourish because it is based on God’s principles for how team leaders are to function..

How to Develop Worship Teams in the Church (10-16-15)

So let’s outline a detailed, step-by-step process for developing worship teams in the church. Here are several steps to consider:

1. Identify the Need: Ministry is another word for service and service is always done in response to visible and identifiable need. This could be people to serve, or a problem to solve. The need for a worship team should be clearly felt and articulated. Ministries should not start just because other churches have one. Neither should they continue just because they have always existed. Clearly identify the need for a worship team.

Here are some questions to ask yourself and others in your congregation to help you assess whether there is a need for a worship team in your church: (1) Do our worship services involve a variety of people? (2) Is there a system in place to assess the relevancy and excellence of our worship services on a regular basis? (3) Have we created ways to nurture, affirm, and develop the budding gifts of our members in our services? (4) Is the planning and leadership of worship in our church done by a few people who may also be burdened with other responsibilities? (5) Is the involvement in planning worship seen to be more of a “task” than a “calling” for some? (6) If we were to raise the excellence of our services a couple of notches, for the glory of God, what plan is in place to do this? (7) Have we thought of the various groups our services may be totally ignoring? Children? Young adults? People from the local community?

Unless there is a felt need to have a worship team, you will meet nothing but resistance. Ponder the importance of seeing how others need to sense a need before change will take place. What may be obvious to you may need clearer articulation to others who are not as passionate about having a worship team. Don’t be surprised if people say things like, “Our worship services are fine just the way they are.”

Develop a list of your own questions that help raise important issues and highlight areas of need. Don’t focus too much on what’s “wrong.” People tend to become defensive when the familiar is attacked. Include questions that raise the sights of others about “What could be.” Then formulate statements that capture the essence of what you hear and are learning. Write them down. Pray over them. If God is planting a vision in your mind, give it time to grow.

2. Gather the People: When a need for a worship team has been identified, the next step is to form a group of people who are interested, appropriately gifted, and exhibit a genuine passion to see that need met. They meet for prayer and discussion. Through wisdom and time these people formulate a clear vision for the ministry.

Passion is the God-given desire to make a difference in the church somewhere. For you or others, it may be to dramatically improve the level of excellence in worship planning and implementation. As you prayerfully think about the need for a worship team, begin to make a list of people you believe are also passionate about this ministry.

If you have any familiarity with spiritual gifts, you may be inclined to think of worship team leaders who have gifts of music, creative communication, leadership, speaking, etc. These are certainly helpful gifts to keep in mind. But don’t limit your scope of who may be involved in a worship team. Some teams are very small and consist primarily of three or four individuals who lead a time of singing during worship. But other teams utilize multimedia, creative drama, and other elements. That may mean there are people gifted in technology, administration, and hospitality who could be a part of a worship team.

God can use a variety of people to accomplish His purposes for your church. You may not think of the gift of mercy as being directly connected with a worship team, or gifts of intercessory prayer, but there will certainly be moments when these gifts need to be exercised on behalf of the entire congregation during worship. Some churches even have a group of members with gifts of prayer spend the entire worship service hour in prayer in another room in the church, praying on behalf of the worship team leaders, the pastor, the church members, and guests.

Start making a list of possible members who are interested in being a part of a worship team. Talk with these people. Don’t ask them to make any initial commitments. Let the list grow as you continue to pray and ask God to lead the process of beginning a worship team. You might ask your pastor for suggestions. Assure him or her that you are exploring the idea of a new ministry and want to work in harmony with the church leaders.

3. Call A Meeting: At some point, call a meeting to discuss your heart’s desire for a worship team. You might meet for a potluck in someone’s home. Invite the pastor. Have someone take notes on your meeting. A sample agenda for your first meeting might include the following: (1) Prayer and praise time; (2) Short introduction to the purpose of the meeting; (3) Invite everyone to respond to four questions: One thing I really appreciate about our worship services is … Something I wish we could improve in our worship services is … I believe a worship team could strengthen our services by … One concern I have about developing a worship team is … (4) Closing comments and discussion about another meeting; (5) Prayer time.

In a second meeting, the group could focus on a vision statement for a worship team ministry. This statement would succinctly describe the preferable future of worship that it sees happening in your church. It “pictures” what could be. That’s why it’s called a vision statement. This statement can become a guiding compass to help keep your future ministry team on track. It should contain at least two elements: How will this ministry glorify God? How will this ministry build up the church?  Create your vision statement to be in harmony with your church mission statement, if your church has one. The more you wrestle with and personalize a vision statement for your team, the more it will truly be a guiding compass. If it is not owned, it will not be used and ownership usually comes from helping to construct the statement.

4. Prepare the Plan: After reaching a consensus on the need and developing a vision to meet that need, it is time to develop a ministry plan for your worship team. Continue to meet together until the strategy and details of a ministry plan is worked through. After a plan is developed it needs to be approved.

Once a clear vision has been articulated, specific plans should to fall into place. Further meetings will focus on preparing action plans that can be submitted to the church board for approval. These can be grouped into three areas: (1) Goals: What we need to accomplish. (2) Strategies: How will we get there? What is our plan? (3) Measurable steps or specific tasks: Who will do each task? How much will it cost? How long will it take?

Establishing Effective Worship Teams: Part Two - How to Develop Worship Teams (10-15-15)

As much as we admire solo achievement, writes John Maxwell in his book The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, the truth is that no lone individual has done anything of value. “The belief that one person can do something great is a myth. There are no real Rambos who can take on a hostile army by themselves. Even the Lone Ranger wasn’t really a loner. Everywhere he went he rode with Tonto!”

You have probably seen the acronym for TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More. Contrary to many people’s opinions, it is true. One is too small a number to not only achieve greatness but also to accomplish a purpose effectively. U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson once said, “There can be no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves.”

This is why the New Testament develops a theology of the church using the human body as a metaphor. Each part belongs to a system of parts that must work together to accomplish its mission and sustain life. No one is more important than another. Each has its unique and special place in the “body.” Effective ministry takes place when the whole “body” is functioning together interdependently. God is best honored and the people most blessed.

C. Gene Wilkes, in his book Jesus on Leadership, observed that the power of teams not only is evident in today’s modern business world, but it also has a deep history that was evident even in biblical times. Look at the example of Jesus and His approach to His eternally significant mission. He called 12 disciples to be his leadership team, and He often accomplished tasks by dividing up the team into smaller teams. Wilkes reminds us of why building church life around teams is so important: (1) Teams involve more people, thus providing more resources, ideas, and energy than would an individual. (2) Teams maximize a leader’s potential and minimize her weaknesses. Strengths and weaknesses are more exposed in a system that focuses on individual leaders. (3) Teams provide multiple perspectives on how to meet a need or reach a goal, thus providing several alternatives for each situation. Individual insight is seldom as broad and deep as a group’s when it takes on a problem. (4) Teams share the credit for victories and the blame for losses. This fosters genuine humility and authentic community. In an individualistic system, people take credit and blame alone. This fosters pride or a sense of failure. (5) Teams keep leaders accountable to the goal. Individuals working by themselves can change the goal to meet their individual whims without any accountability. (6) Teams can simply do more than an individual can do in the same assignment.

For these reasons, one of the greatest geniuses of the modern world, Albert Einstein, once commented, “Many times a day I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of my fellow men, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.”

When it comes to planning and doing worship in the church, using teams becomes even more significant. It is not just the above reasons why team work is more effective as a practical matter. There are also theological reasons why teams are more appropriate than individual activity. Corporate worship is about facilitating an environment and atmosphere conducive to the worship of the God of heaven and earth. Worship is about acknowledging, paying tribute to, showing value to this God. And from the very beginning of Scripture, the nature of God is defined as relational, a triune God, a God who lives eternally in relationship with others. Everything God does, God does in teamwork.

So why would congregational worship, designed to give praise and acknowledge the values of this God, be planned and led by one person working alone? Would not this be out of alignment with the very nature of the God being worshipped?

What’s more, if it took the Trinity to plan and produce the rich, diverse, and complex creation in the beginning, so that everything would have its place and be structured to exist in harmony and complete interdependence with everything else. How could we think it to be possible for one person to plan and produce a meaningful worship experience involving the diverse, complex, and unique gathering of individuals that God calls together for congregational life?