10 Commandments of Great Worship Team members - Mark Cole

Thank you Mark Cole for this great article:

The 10 Commandments of Great Worship Team Members

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Mark Cole

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Sometimes I lead the worship band and sometimes I play in the band. Both are important roles and have specific responsibilities to do them well. As both a leader and a player/singer, here are my ten most important rules as a team member:

1. I will be available at least twice per month and answer worship department emails within 24 hrs

• I find that players need to play a minimum of twice per month to stay in the flow of the worship and maintain good relationships with the leader(s) and team members.

• As someone who has scheduled worship teams for years, prompt replies by the team members is greatly appreciated. Also, it is a good habit to be prompt in all your communication. It is a form of discipline and respect.

2. I will listen to, practice and memorize the songs for Sunday

• Most musicians learn by listening. I always spend the .99 cents to $1.29 to download the songs on iTunes and make a playlist to listen in my house and car. Listening will teach you things that charts never will.

• I always take time to practice the new songs for the team and briefly review the older songs. I want to be excellent in my service to the Lord. God rewards faithfulness and excellence.

• Memorizing songs allows me to get past the music and worship God freely. Most worship songs are not hard to memorize.

3. I will show up prepared and on time for rehearsal

• Leaders and other team members really appreciate when all the team has done their homework. When the drummer knows the grooves, tempos and breaks, it makes the rehearsal go so much smoother. When the lead guitar and keyboard players have learned the introductions and lead lines, it saves so much time for the rest of the group.

• When team members all show up on time, it shows respect and value for the whole team. It promotes unity and makes the rehearsals go much smoother.

4. I will show respect and love for my fellow team members and leader

• The second greatest commandment is to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’. When team members show love and respect for each other, rehearsals, worship and life in general is much better.

• Being a leader can be tough. When you respect and are patient with your leader, God sees and rewards that attitude and heart.

5. I will not doodle on my instrument when the leader is speaking

• Having great rehearsal habits is important. The time to practise your individual part is when you are on your own.

• You show respect for the leader and the rest of the team when you learn to listen at the appropriate times.

6. I will worship as I play my instrument and endeavour to be a great worshipper on and off the stage

• The purpose of a worship band is to worship God and lead the congregation to do the same. If you are just playing or singing then you are not fulfilling your responsibilities. Get past the music and worship God and lead by example.

• A sign that you are an authentic worshipper is that you are the same on and off the stage. People see you on and off the stage. Be authentic!

7. I will attend church and give whether I am playing or not

• Great team worship team members know the importance of regular church attendance. We all need to be great congregational members before we can become great worship team members.

• Supporting your local church means more than playing your instrument. Giving of your time and finances really shows where your heart is.

8. I will practice my singing and/or instrument regularly

• Great worship team members are better this year than they were last year.

• Great team members work on growing by practicing regularly, taking lessons and watching and learning from great worship videos.

9. I will wear the appropriate clothes for the dress code

• I never want my clothes to be a distraction to our worship times.

• My general advice is to develop a dress code that is modest and culturally relevant to your congregation.

10. I will grow in my walk with the Lord and live a godly lifestyle

• This is the last commandment but it is the most important. Loving God with your whole heart and life is the core of worship.

• Living a life that is pleasing to God opens up the door for God’s blessing on your life. Don’t allow sin to ruin that. Repent and get back on track!

Question: What points have I missed? Are you a great worship team member? What areas can you improve on?