Worship Team Practice

Organization is key to the success of any area of ministry. Investment of time and attention to detail pays off handsomely in months and years to come. There are other factors, but certainly enabling key players will result in greater success. In the late 1980's our church began transitioning into the realm of contemporary worship. With the addition of drums, keyboards, electric guitars, etc. glaring problems came to light such as sanctuary acoustics, sound equipment limitations and the ever present personal preferences. Sometimes in moving forward we take a step back for a moment. In our choice to move forward, one of the best decisions we ever made was to schedule a weekly worship team practice. Our rehearsal is 6:30-8pm every Thursday night. A separate night of rehearsal allows us to double check our music, making sure it's all there and in the right place, instead of finding out Sunday morning we have the wrong song in the wrong place. Or worse yet, a song is missing and worship has begun. Rehearsal is an opportunity for sound technicians (yes, our sound tech is there) to learn the songs and talk with the worship leader. Worship rehearsal will force the issue of musical format. Will you attempt to find sheet music for the musicians, learn chord charts or use a number system? Rehearsal presses everyone to work as a team and not just individuals. Ministry can be messy! Attitudes and shortcomings become lovingly honed, reminding me (as a music pastor) of Peter's words -"Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly - not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example". (1 Peter 5:2-3 NLT) Our rehearsal includes prayer. We know about needs within the group, pray for others and pray for our effectiveness as a team. We attempt to keep the evening light and fun. Although sometimes work is not light and fun. We have our moments! For many in the congregation worship seems effortless as the flow moves along smoothly. That's our goal anyway...to get to the place where our worship is a backdrop for the Lord to move in. Confusing wrong notes and disproportionate sounds from the main speakers draw worshippers away from that Godly focus. Rehearsal allows us to deal with these things within the privacy of our musical family. We're not about absolute perfection.... but ministry. The goal is to keep learning and moving foward in excellence. Our investment of time in worship team rehearsal allows us to do that. Invest! It's worth it.
-Tim Covert