Guidelines for Worship Teams

Many people involved in worship teams that I have come across either don't know what is expected of them, or don't know what they are doing. Others simply have never given it a thought. In an effort to let people know what happens in the worship team in my church, I have published the criteria and guidelines that I give out on this page.

Being in charge of the music/worship department at my church, I have a responsibility to only put worshippers on the platform before the congregation. When new people come to me and ask if they can be in the team, I give them this sheet to see where their hearts are - if they are going to 'perform' for their glory, or minister to Almighty God.

You are welcome to use this page for your own worship team however please let me know if you do (and your comments), and please copy it in its entireity. I pray that this will bless you and your ministry.

Reach Out For Christ Westside Worship Team
Criteria and Guidelines

5 November 1996

Statement of Purpose: The worship team exists to edify and encourage the body of Christ within this church as part of the helps ministry (1Cor 12:28). Our goal is to praise and worship God, not just in meetings but with our lives so that ‘the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart’ are acceptable to the Lord (Ps 19:14). Within a meeting, the goal is to bring the congregation into the presence of God (2Ch 7:1,2; 1Pet 2:5) and set the stage for the preaching of the Word of God with the ultimate goal of changing lives into the image of God (Rom 12:1,2; 2Cor 3:18). Music is a tool for achieving this purpose.

Worship Team Criteria

The following are a list of criteria indicating the preferred qualifications for a member of the worship team in this church.

1. Committed member of this church - Music ministry is not the right of the talented but the privilege extended to the committed and faithful. - We are open to receiving special music from those who are not committed to this body of believers but the regular, ongoing and leadership nature of this ministry requires a strong commitment to the people and leadership of this church.

2. Worshipper - To qualify for the worship team, one must be a worshipper. Every member, musicians and singers alike, must have a love for praise and worshipping the Father.

3. Spiritual maturity - As stated earlier, this is a leadership type ministry and, hence, is ordinarily not a place for new or immature Christians. - Everyone in the worship ministry is a leader of worship.

4. Musical expertise - The musicians and vocalists need to be skilled enough to follow a service which is led by the Spirit of God. We don’t want to limit what God will do simply because we can’t handle it musically. - Note that the standard of musical proficiency required may vary as the church grows.

5. Time commitment - Practice sessions, preparation before each meeting and ministry are mandatory. In addition, there are seminars, special retreats, and more. - The worship ministry requires a fairly large time commitment.

6. Support of family - It is important that the individual’s immediate family members are willing to accept the necessary time commitment and be a support to the individual.

7. Ability to flow with the team - Some people are very gifted musicians and/or vocalists, but for one reason or another (vocal range, musical style, etc) they have trouble flowing with the team. These individuals are highly encouraged to share their musical gifts in other ways (home group worship, musical specials, etc) with the body. Musical proficiency does not automatically make someone a top candidate for the worship team.

The Senior Pastor, in cooperation with the Music Director and Eldership reserve the right to the final decision concerning entry into the worship ministry at this church.

Worship Team Guidelines

This list explains what is expected of the people once they are a part of the church worship ministry team.

1. Probationary period - There will ordinarily be a three month probationary period during which the individual will attend practice sessions but will not play/sing with the team during services or other special functions. - The purpose of this directive is to ascertain who is genuinely interested in helping lead worship for the glory of God, and who wishes to be in the team for other reasons. In addition, this period allows time for the individual and the rest of the team to gel musically.

2. Weekly practice sessions - All team members are required to attend the weekly practice sessions (Sat 4:00pm to 5:30pm). Whenever team members are scheduled to minister at a service, they are required to be in attendance according to the following table. 

Sunday: 	9:30am	8:30am
Wednesday	7:30pm	7:00am
Saturday	7:00pm	5:30pm - 6:15pm
3. Other functions - The team will be expected to lead worship for seminars and other special retreats and meetings. On occasion, the individual may volunteer to minister with special music at any of the services at the discretion of the Senior Pastor and Music Director.

4. Commitment to being spiritually prepared to minister - Our spiritual preparation has a direct effect on our effectiveness as a music ministry team. We need to come ready not only to sing and play music but to worship the King and minister to His people. The essential element in this ministry (or any other for that matter) is our relationship with the Lord. Without a close relationship to the Lord, the worship team will NOT be effective regardless of musical proficiency.

5. Commitment to musical expertise - We need to work at our instrumental and/or vocal ability to become the very best we can be. This means a great deal of individual practice (maybe even lessons) as well as playing with the team. Keep in mind that the team will only be as musically proficient as the individuals that make it up.

6. Commitment to growing spiritually - This too is as important on an individual basis as it is with the team. As a leadership ministry, we need to be committed to maturing in Jesus. Stagnant spiritual lives means a stagnant worship team. Encourage and challenge one another.

7. Commitment to “flowing” with the team - More than individual expertise, our musical goal needs to be the ability to “flow” with the team. We need to look at our team as not just a collection of separate musicians and singers but as a single unit with a single purpose. Out heart attitude should not be to shine forth our own technical skill but to use that skill to enhance the team as a whole. Worship ministry is a team effort.

8. Dress standard - It is expected that members of the worship team will present themselves at meetings in a manner both glorifying to God and acceptable to the human eye considering that they are in an ‘up-front’ ministry. Consider coming to church like going to dinner with Jesus; would he take you to Macdonald’s or the Park Royal?

9. Punctuality - Accurate timekeeping will assist the goal of the worship team. Team members who continually disregard starting times for rehearsals and meetings will be put on probation. If it is not possible to make a rehearsal on time, it is considered polite to notify the Music Director in advance.



Nathan Howard(Music Director) Gerry Hudson(Senior Pastor)

5 November 1996

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