WORSHIP MINISTRY | Return to Ministry List
Considering Participating on the Worship Team?
The Worship Team at the Manhattan Church of Christ is an important and powerful part of our times of corporate worship on Sunday mornings. The team serves several purposes, providing both spiritual and technical leadership, completing the circle of worship, and providing a forum in which special gifts may be used in direct praise to the Creator and edification of His body.
Most importantly, we who lead the congregation in worship before the throne of the Almighty must ourselves truly be worshipping. Jesus' description of worship "in spirit in truth" had nothing to do with adhering to rules and everything to do with being honest and sincere in our praise. Going through the motions or simply singing the charts is not desirable in any person, but particularly so in we who presume to lead His people.
The Worship Team also completes what's called the "circle of worship." To foster a feeling of communion and unity, having more than one person to look at and be encouraged by during worship is a great blessing to everyone. This is particularly important when personal worship style is considered. While I may be more demonstrative in my worship, others are less so, both on the team and in the congregation. Seeing several people leading worship in different personal styles gives permission to all to worship as they are most comfortable, providing a greater opportunity for all to worship in spirit and truth. Whether we raise or clap our hands or keep them at our sides, all can see on our faces that we're glorifying the Lord.
It is impossible to deny that musical support is an important part of the Worship Team's function. In our effort to be relevant and powerful in message, we are constantly moving forward and learning new songs that speak our thoughts more directly to God and articulate His message more clearly to our hearts. Strong reading skills are required by the volume of music we sing and the short rehearsal period we have. In a brief span of time, we must be able to transcend nuts and bolts and truly be able to worship without abandoning musical integrity, for our God deserves worship that is sweet of spirit and sound. As important as reading skills are, though, group rehearsal and personal work at home are a must: standing and leading in front of the congregation and sightreading - no matter how good you are at it - is a slight to fellow worshippers and to the One we worship. Our work is NOT performance, but communication - to the triune resplendent God and to the holy priesthood of assembled believers.
One cannot communicate while buried in the music. This is especially true in the case of special pieces, where communication is vitally important. These allow the congregation to receive and meditate on a song's message without having to worry about what notes they're supposed to be singing, and if we've learned our parts well enough, we won't be worrying about that either!
Lastly, as many in this family are skilled and accomplished musicians, the Team provides an arena for those with these particular gifts to use them in special service to the Lord and His people here. Serving together in this capacity also fosters strong relationships between Christians who have a strong passion for Jesus Christ and His beautiful creation, music.
Serving on the Worship Team requires commitment, discipline and sacrifice, making for early Sunday mornings and homework. A heart for worship - a deep desire to lift praises to the Creator and Redeemer - is the most important requirement for being part of this ministry. Understanding that leading worship on the team and worshipping as part of the congregation are two different things, I endeavor to cycle members off the team in order to be able to worship "in the house" without the concerns of leadership. These days off the team, excepting travels, are intended for people to recharge their batteries in worship within the congregation, not to take the day off from church entirely. Only those committed to being with this community regardless of assignment are setting the proper example of a leader of that community.
This ministry is not to be entered into lightly, and I urge you to prayerfully consider your participation in this wonderful work. God's blessing and guidance be yours as you choose your place in this family.
1 Chronicles 6:31-32 Now these are those whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem; and they served in their office according to their order.
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