4 Things that Create a Healthy Worship Team (3)

Over the last 2 years of doing worship ministry I have learned a great deal about NON-MUSIC related leadership. When I was in the School Of Worship I remember one of the things they would always say is "WORSHIP MINISTRY IS 10% MUSIC and 90% PEOPLE". Man have I seen that. If you pour into your team and invest in your people, then the experience/music side of it should come naturally. Once again, I am learning this big time right now and by no means claim to have it figured out. You can read my previous 2 posts here and here.

#3: INVEST IN THE VALUE OF THE INDIVIDUALS
This is probably one of the most difficult things for me. Not only are you trying to cast vision, lead rehearsals, pick music, make sure all the administration stuff is done, but also create value in each and every team member. Each person needs to know that they are essential to the team. That without them they would be missed. Now its important to understand that some people DO carry more weight. If you have and entire rock band on stage and your drummer doesn't show, there will be issues. BUT that does not mean that BGV's aren't as valuable. So its important to find ways with each individual to make them feel valuable.

One thing that we have started this year is a quarterly evaluation. Its an opportunity for me one on one to challenge my team members and to help them understand what I want out of them, so that their is never any confusion. It also gives them an opportunity to be heard. Maybe they have some concerns or just need some confirmation that they are doing a great job. Give them an ear.

GET TOGETHER OUTSIDE OF WORSHIP ATMOSPHERES. Do a BBQ together, go to some concerts, hangout, become a community. This will help them understand you are interested in THEM AS A PERSON not as "your just my drummer, or my singer, or whatever".

Check up on your team. Make phone calls and text messages, emails, etc for NO REASON. Just to see how they are doing. Not always wanting something from them. I just received a phone call with a message from a friend that said "I'm not calling for any reason just wanted to see how you were doing, call me later". That meant the world to me!

Again this is something that I am not great at, but I'm learning. EVERY PERSON IS A DIFFERENT PERSON AND WILL NEED VALIDATED IN THAT MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

When you invest in your team they will invest back into your ministry. When they see that you care about them its much easier for them to care about you and the worship ministry. The goal is a unified team and when there is unity, your worship experience will be that much greater.

investing,
Adam

4 Things that Create a Healthy Worship Team (2)

I am continuing the blog series on what I have seen that creates a healthy worship team. You can read my previous post here. Again I have by no means figured this thing out, but as I continue to grow these are things that have helped me as a leader.

#2 - Coach Others To Do What You Do
This is a brand new concept to me. As a staff here at Element, this year, we have made it an intentional part of our ministries, to begin coaching people. I am learning how to do this and finding ways to be coached at the same time. It is healthy for your team and the congregation to realize that "blank" church worship does not rest on your shoulders. Its healthy for them to see other people leading worship, and its healthy for you to let others lead.

Now realize as I said in the previous post, NOT just ANYONE can lead. In fact this is a lot more of an EXCELLENCE issue. While many people can be on worship teams as instrumentalist and vocalists, not everyone is designed to LEAD worship. WHICH IS OK!
Character, style, personality, talent, and most important, does your lead pastor approve with direction of the church, all play HUGE roles into finding worship leaders.

Its important to find these leaders and invest into them thru coaching. Provide them with all that you are learning and avenues in which to grow. Have them help you with song selections and song structures, styles and formats. This will give them tools necessary to develope into a worship leader. Then give them opportunities to lead. Maybe a song here or there on different weeks. And then give them an entire set.

BE ON THE PLATFORM WHILE THEY LEAD! Its one thing to be out of town and say "hey your on this week". Its another thing when you say "hey I am backing you up this week". Give them center stage and let the lead it all. This is a very healthy approach for your congregation. It teaches them that its not about 1 guy, and 1 style. and again giving them opportunity is what will help them develop into who God may be calling them too be even if they mess up, and even if its not done as well. You have to be willing to create growth opportunities. JUST REMEMBER WHERE YOU STARTED! (I KNOW I DO)

As things grow you HAVE to multiply yourself. If you are never coaching anyone then you will never have anyone PERIOD.

This is a concept that is hard for a lot of leaders. To share their SPOT. However, its the most healthy for you, your team, and your church.

Being Coached,
Adam

4 Things that Create a Healthy Worship Team (1)

At the beginning of this year I began to feel God stir my heart for some specific directions to take the worship team. As I met with Jeff from time to time we talked about next steps for the team. I have by no means figured this thing out, and in fact these are things I am currently struggling with and learning my self. But these are some specific things I feel like God has placed inside of me to help create a healthy worship team.

1 - Multiply your Team: I really struggled when we launched Element Church with what the worship team would look like. I wanted excellence and believe that that is a key component to a great experience and there are several team models out there.

I don't believe in the "ANYONE WHO LIKES TO PLAY AND SING, CAN PLAY AND SING" model. That model is not effective at all. Every time I have seen it and talked with the worship leader they are stressed out and very frustrated and most of the time its more of a distraction than anything. Also,you may be leading someone in a direction opposite of where God is calling them because you don't want to offend their lack of ability to play or sing.

But on the flip side which is where I tend to lean, is the "ONE BAND, THE SAME BAND, EVERY WEEK" model, no hick-ups, no unpredictability, no major mess ups, so on and so on. The problem with this is that you are limited. When everyone leaves the church and moves on and you haven't been raising up knew people, then you have no-one. You also may limit someone's development into the next greatest worship leader because they were never given the opportunity. There is a balance. I tried Church Wide Auditions, and I've tried private auditions, both have there plus and minus's. The key is to be multiplying your team. Allow people to sit under your other band members on rehearsal nights and learn. Encourage each team member to be investing in someone else. You will never have a shortage of quality musicians at your disposal. And you just may be allowing the next Chris Tomlin come thru your ministry.

New blood can stretch you as a leader as well, from style, to song selections, to creative ideas. Find that balance for you but in order for there to be a healthy Worship Ministry that will last forever you must multiply your team in an excellent, quality environment.

learning,
adam