The key here is you're working with a team - a group of people committed (see part 2) to a common cause and one another. This team has a very important role - to lead the congregation in musical worship each week. The best way for that to happen is for your team to worship themselves. I know...DUH!
But it never ceases to amaze me how often this doesn't happen in many churches. There seems to be a problem with tempo or pitch, someone forgot what verse to sing, the drummer started out too fast and slowed down way too much - the list is endless. There is no reason this should happen if we spend time rehearsing together every week.
Here's something I shared on the video that I want to flesh out a little.
Practice - this is what you do ON YOUR OWN. You come to rehearsal to pick up the music that needs to be learned. You then go home and practice in the comfort of your own home, memorizing your parts and the entire piece of music.
Rehearsal - this is what the team does together. This is NOT practice. You have to come to rehearsal prepared, knowing your parts. Rehearsal is where we put all the pieces together to make the music we present in our Worship services.
When the team gets together, Lead Worshiper, your job is to put all the musical pieces in order. If people are having to spend time week after week on their part because they didn't practice on their own, hold them accountable to the commitment you had them sign before they came on board with the team. That's why you have commitments - so there are no surprises!
Here's a typical rehearsal for us -
1. We separate our vocals and instruments so we can fine tune each area.
2. We rehearse the stuff that has already been handed out, and we sing/play through them several times. We listen for parts we know, parts we might be able to adjust or change, times where we need different instruments and different voice parts, and work it some more. We may put a piece aside and work something else for a while and then come back so we can hone it.
3. We introduce new music, listening and playing it a few times to get the feel and point out key parts, voicing, etc.
4. We bring the whole team together, usually the team that is on Sunday and work through the set list. Again, we may work a song a few times until it feels right, says what we want it to say musically, etc. NOTE: We are NOT PRACTICING our individual parts. Each person already knows them. If they don't, we may have them sit that particular song out.
5. Our rehearsal times will often turn into worship times. This is one of the most important steps we can take as worship teams. We need to spend time worshiping with each other so that our corporate worship is a natural outpouring of ourselves.
There is nothing more distracting than to see a team of people not being a team leading people in worship of an incredible, loving, giving Savior. Why wouldn't we spend time working on giving Him the VERY BEST we have to offer in worship? Makes no sense to me - and I hope it hits you the same way.
Listen: we have an incredible opportunity to use the wonderful gift of music to introduce people to an amazing God. Let's not squander that for any reason. Let's commit to giving of our time, talent and our treasure to preparing our people to be the best worshipers they can be. That brings honor to God - and that makes it all worth it!
Go Team!
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