TRINITY LIFE CENTER MUSIC MINISTRY

INTRODUCTION

TLC Worship Team: We believe worship is expressing our love to God. The purpose of our ministry is to create an environment inspired by the Holy Spirit, to lead the body of Christ into the intimate presence of the Lord.

This document is an attempt to take another step toward excellence in our music ministry at TLC. What has happened thus far has been outstanding and blessed of God. It is our prayer that as you read, you will be inspired to enter into new depths of worship to our Lord Jesus Christ.

MEMBERSHIP

Those who desire to minister in the Worship Team should examine themselves by asking the following questions:

1. Are you a committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ?

2. Do you have the ability to fulfill a singing or instrumental ministry?

3. Are you called of God and led by His Spirit to be involved in the Music Ministry of

TLC?

4. Are you committed to the leadership, vision, and work of the ministry of TLC? Are you a Partner In Vision?

5. Are you able to submit yourself to the leadership as well as to the policies and procedures of the Music Ministry?

Remember that the purpose of the Music Ministry is to glorify the Lord and bless others through the musical gifts and abilities we have been given. Therefore each person should constantly seek to know the Lord better and to live a life that is pleasing in His sight.

Each participant within this ministry should make it a point to know the overall mission of TLC and to support it with his/her attendance, prayers, finances, and love. Loyalty, unity, and seeking the good of others above yourself should be the aim of those involved in this music ministry.

The Bible says in Romans 13:1, “Everyone must submit himself to the Governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR THE WORSHIP TEAM

These guidelines have been compiled to assist you as a member of the Music Ministry understand the practical responsibilities and functions of your ministry as a “priest” and “standard-bearer” in the house of the Lord. Your faithfulness and consistency in putting these

more pleasant for the Worship Leader, and his or her work is more rewarding when the director realizes that the worship team is really trying to cooperate. With a good Worship Leader and good rehearsals, the worship team can gain confidence to minister. The result will be gratifying.

4. The worship team should support the choice of music. It is entirely possible for a wide range of differences to exist in musical taste between a Music Minister and the Worship Leader and some of the team members. Here again, as in congregational singing, Christian love and tolerance can bridge the gaps. Remember that the Music Minister and Worship Leader are probably trying to provide music suitable for the congregation as a whole. Remember, also, that some pieces which have irregular tempo or close harmony may produce hideous sounds in the early stages of rehearsal, but after the song is mastered, the effect may be beautiful. A Christian spirit can tackle even difficult music and produce melody to the praise of God.

5. When you arrive for practice, a service, etc., be prepared by prayer, practice and patience. Making good use of the preparation time becomes top priority! Our ministry to the Church and to the Lord in the worship services is our principal function as a Music Ministry. This is when we need to pull ourselves together body, soul, and spirit-focusing only on our ministry and what God wants to do through us (not casually visiting, wandering around, etc.).

MINISTRY TIME

I. Prepare yourself spiritually for Ministry! Before you minister in any service... (a) confess any sin unto the Lord and ask his forgiveness, so that you may. “present to the Lord an offering iii righteousness.” (Malachi 3:4) (b) present yourself as an empty vessel to the Lord, ready to be filled and poured out!

2. Be in your place of Ministry! Late arrivals on the platform project uncertainty and confusion to the congregation. This is definitely not the standard we want to set before the people. We want to begin ministering in music before each service, which helps create an atmosphere for praise and worship.

3. Instrumentalists - (a) Be alert and play to the best of your ability (b) Be prepared to follow the music leader and carry through with all that is being done musically in worship, such as playing in the Spirit, Song of the Lord, etc. (c) Listen for changes in the “character” of the worship service, responding to expressive movements within the music (volume and tempo changes, keys etc.)

4. Singers - (a) Remember that you are visually and vocally communicating the message of the song to the congregation (b) Endeavor to be acquainted well enough with the songs to clearly and fluently lead the congregation in singing. (c) Be yielded

at all times to allow the song of the Lord to flow through you (d) Don’t get so carried away in worship that you forget to sing or sing the wrong parts,. (e) Feel free to be expressive with hand movements, etc., but allow your response to the Lord to be just that, a response to His presence! (Don’t be mechanical!!!)

5. Be certain you are fully aware of your role for the entire service. This would include offertory, special music, or ministry time. Note: be sure you “stand” in your Ministry until it is completed. Between the times of music ministry, while waiting on the platform be careful not to engage in casual conversation, wave at friends, look bored, etc.

6. Be open to constructive criticism and suggestions, but also feel free to make wise suggestions and appeals. Don’t forget we are a TEAM ministry!!! Our ultimate concern should be to build up and edify one another in love: to do this, cooperation, openness and honesty are absolutely essential! Conversely, we highly discourage complaining and destructive criticism, especially if shared in secret with peers. Such conduct is not becoming of ministering musicians!

7. Know the Platform Ministry dress guidelines. Please know that dress requirements are not designed to make you more spiritual! The Music Ministry is simply a highly visible ministry. You are the face of the Church! We are seen as well as heard. In fact, that’s the biblical purpose of a platform - to allow the people to see you minister!

8. Always be aware that your lifestyle, actions and attitudes off the platform are consistent with your Ministry on the platform. You are all leaders! Our Ministry of Music in the church is best summed up in the words of Isaiah-. “Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.” (Isaiah 62)

PLATFORM APPEARANCE & ETIOUETTE

1. Make sure your outfit is in good taste and does not draw attention to yourself. Use good Christian discretion.

2. No sloppy, torn jeans.

3. You should always appear to be in a semi-professional outfit

4. No sleeveless or low cut tops.

5. Prayer is important! Please remember that unless excused by the Music Minister, all Worship Team members are expected to be present for prayer before pre-service preparation times.

6. During the altar call, it is important to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as He directs the flow of the music. If you are in the congregation, it may be tempting for you to want to step forward from the congregation, take a microphone and assist with the singing. However, please do not do so unless a Pastor or the Music Minister requests you to do so.

ATTENDANCE

You must attend rehearsals regularly and consistently. You will be expected to be on time for, all rehearsals and services. Be ready at starting time.

Just as we’d never think of consistently being late or absent from our job, we should develop a similar sense of responsibility about our ministry! Occasional circumstances which cause us to be absent or late are understandable, but if this is a persistent problem, then we need to examine ourselves and enforce discipline. Ask God to show you why this is a problem area, if it is. Also, make sure you know when and where you are supposed to be!

If you cannot attend a rehearsal or service for whatever reason, please inform the Music Minister in advance! If you don’t show up, it means everyone else has to make a last-minute adjustment which causes interruption, wastes time, and may even hinder the flow of the Spirit in the service. A persistent problem in this area could lead to your being excused from participating in the Music Ministry for a period of time.

Rehearsals are scheduled the 1st, 3rd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 7:30-9:00 p.m. (Additional rehearsals may be called for special services or events). Band Practices are scheduled every other Tuesday evening at 7:15 p.m.

Sunday morning preparation times are at 8:30 a.m. for the band and 9:00 for the rest of the team.

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MUSIC MINISTRY PERSONAL PROFILE

Name________________________________________ Phone # ______________________

Address __________________________________________ ZIP ______________

I am interested in being a part of the Praise & Worship Team as a:

Singer Worship Leader ____ Musician ____Sound Technician ____Deaf Minister I have sung: ____ Solo ____ Duet ____Trio ____Quarter ____Choir

In: ____ High School ____College ____Church ____Other (Specify)

I play the following instruments: _______________________________________________________

I would like to play the following instrument(s) in the Praise & Worship Team:

I can read music: ____Yes ____No

I have played in: ____Orchestra ____ Band ____Grade School ____High School

College ____Other (Explain)________________ ____# of years Please put in your own words why you desire to be a part of the Praise & Worship Ministry.

I am available to practice          Monday           Tuesday           Wednesday      Thursday

Friday  Saturday           Sunday Any Day