1. Culture

The culture of a place is the intangible that has the power to make or break it. If we were to come in and study your worship team(s), what are some of the things we would notice about your ministry?

Things that Determine Culture:

• The House (Leadership)
  • Is there a sense that worship is valued?
  • Are we presence-driven, spiritual leaders?
  • Are we leaders filled with joy and positivity?
  • The power of personal devotion and a lifestyle of worship
  • "We turn natural environments into spiritual ones"
  • Championing your pastor and leaders and submitting to their vision for the ministry.
  • Coach-ability

• Spirituality (Who’s on the team?)
  • Genuine Conversion
  • Baptized in Water
  • Filled with the Spirit
  • Sanctified Lifestyle
  • Devotion / Passion for God
  • Character (Humility, Punctuality, Respect)

• Biblical Understanding
  • Worship is more than a musical outlet for creatives
  • What does the Bible say about worship?
    • Worship is a lifestyle of obedience (1 Sam 15:22)
    • Worship is sacred, spiritual, powerful, meaningful, and a means by which God ministers to His people. 
    • Worship is passionate, joyful, and genuine. (Phil. 4:4 ; Ps. 30:11 ; Ps. 118:24 ; Ps. 47:1 ; Ps. 100:4)
  • Worship is our ministry to the Lord.

2. Clarity

Is the vision and process super clear? Deciding on a solid strategy, communicating it, and running it consistently is so vital for a healthy worship ministry. Here are some components we employ and recommend:

1. TEAM NIGHT
   1. Happens weekly with the team scheduled for Sunday and includes the lead audio engineer.
   2. Work on perfecting the set, fostering community, and practicing the presence / flow. 
2. AUDITIONS
   1. Quarterly
   2. Videos
   3. Acceptance / Placement Email 
3. PCO
   1. Team Management
   2. Strategic Song lists
   3. Communication
4. Next Generation
   1. JDI Nights
   2. Bold Worship

3. Competency 

Is there a standard of excellence that the team feels and adheres to? This standard drives our musicians and singers to steward the gift that God has placed on their life. God always anointed and selected skilled servants in His house. 

Belzaeal - skilled in his craft 

Exodus 31:1-5 -  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!

Skilled Servants in God’s House

1 Chronicles 25:7 -  Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. 7 Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord—they numbered 288.

Practice

Our team members are responsible for practicing on their own between rehearsals and services. They have to be passionate and committed to honing their craft whether it be with their voice or their instrument on their own. 

Here are some things we are looking to see:

Personal Rehearsal Values 

1. Instrument/Vocal Training

• You are responsible for cultivating your gift! 
• Don’t allow yourself to play/sing the same thing. 
• Be creative and stretch yourself. 
• Develop your craft so you have the ability to create and excel as you minister. 
• Materials Available To You:
  • Theory Books
  • Video’s (YouTube, Other Instructive Sites) 
  • Technique Development- private lessons with professional coach 

2. Gear Training (Musicians) 

• Know your gear and what it is capable of producing. 
• Be creative and proactive in learning how to expand your sound. 

3. Song Training 

• Know the song completely! (Intro, Verses, Chorus, Pre-Chorus, Bridge, Vamp, etc.)
• Listen to the song over and over to find the part you’re expected to play/sing
• Know every section and what you’re supposed to play/sing before you improvise.  (You can’t improvise or ad lib if the foundation of the song isn’t intact.) 
• Knowing what the song is saying lyrically is VERY important so we can mean what we sing! 

4. Ear Training

• Work on identifying:
  • Keys
  • Intervals
  • Tempo’s 
  • Chords 
  • Vocal parts (alto, soprano, tenor, bass) 

5. The Essentials of a Great Musician/Singer 

• Tone - Could you record that tone and sell it to the world?
• Timing - The ability to stay in the time signature or “pocket” of the song. Practice with a metronome or record yourself and listen back to see how you did.
• Taste - Is what I am playing/singing adding to the overall sound? Is it necessary?
• Technique - How’s my chord knowledge, scales, chops? Can I find the stated chord?