PRAISE & WORSHIP WORKSHOP

Though our worship styles may be different, we have this in common: PEOPLE. We desire to lead people, build a strong sense of team, and create a family culture. Everything is intentional. It doesnt just happen. We work hard at motivating, encouraging, building team and a sense of we in everything we do. People are attracted to things that are alive, full of life, active and growing.

1. MANAGING REHEARSALS.

Rehearsals are the lifeline of every worship team. Weve been using Planning Centre Online (www.planningcenteronline.com), which has enabled us to:

Schedule all your team. Sound/Band/Vocals/Choir, etc. Prepare song lists. Post new media such as songs, etc. Post sheet music. Transpose MP3s if you play in a different key. Create service plans.

This tool is used across all ministries within the church not just music.

2. USING A BAND LEAD/POINT PERSON.

If youre not careful, rehearsals can be ineffective if not run properly. We schedule Band Leads to help make sure our rehearsals are run efficiently.

What does a Band lead do? - Arrive early for rehearsal . - Be prepared: o Familiar with what needs to be rehearsed o Thought through song transitions - Ensure sound check starts on time. - Keep rehearsal well paced. - Keep church culture. o Keep it fun o Build a sense of team - Give leadership and direction.

3. USING YOUTH ON YOUR PLATFORM

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Youth bring life and vitality. Intentionally generational. Shows youth that love CHURCH. Opportunity for mentorship as we train the next generation. Mix youth up with more experienced and spiritually mature. We can all learn from each other. Dont be afraid to love on, confront and challenge them.

4. JAM SESSIONS

Who doesnt love the opportunity to jam and play with other musicians? PURPOSE OF JAM SESSIONS: - Audition. - Opportunity to meet other musicians. - Help musician discover where theyre at and what they need to work on. HOW TO PLAN A JAM SESSION: - Schedule a few solid musicians as trainers. - Schedule new musicians, or those who need coaching. - Choose 1-2 songs. - Ask people to come prepared. - Take 1 hour and work through songs give everyone an opportunity to play. - Keep it fun, light-hearted. You want people to come back.

5. INTRODUCING NEW SONGS

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Have key team listen/give feedback. Submit to Sr. Pastors for their thoughts. Does it fit church culture? Will it connect with congregation? Does song lift people to worship? Does it build the word of God in people? The melody may be great, but what are you getting your congregation to confess?

6. SEASONS OF SONGS
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We introduce new songs in seasons and them we let them find life in the church. Once theyve served their purpose, we move on from them and retire them. It takes a few weeks for people to grab the song Keep your repertoire focused Look at learning new songs out of need. Do you need more praise songs?, then look for praise songs rather than worship.

Songs should reflect what God is doing in your church. Theyre like a storyboard to peoples lives. They bring life/affirm/encourage/build. God is always doing something new, so make sure the songs you sing reflect that. TEACH SONGS STRATEGICALLY If youre constantly teaching new songs, people get overwhelmed. They wont latch on to them. TIPS TO INTRODUCING NEW SONGS: - Make them want new songs. o When you really wear out a song and introduce a new one, it brings refreshing to congregation. Theyll be excited and will embrace the new song. - When introducing a new song sing/lead it like youve been singing it for years. Act like the congregation already knows it.

7. STAGE PRESENCE

What we say with our face and energy is more than what we say with our words. People will never rise above the leader. You set the tone. Not just the worship leader, but whole band, choir and singers too. If you sing it with revelation, it has power. In order for it to be real, it must be real in you! PRACTICAL TIPS: - Be engaging. Dont distract. - Connect people to God. Dont get in the way. - Encourage people with words. - Dont talk to much between songs. - Lead with conviction and confidence. - Dont force people to worship. - Sing. Dont oversing. - Lean into Gods presence. Dont rely on songs/giftings/talents. SOME MORE TIPS: - Get all singers to sing at most of the time. Even if just off mic. - If youre happy and you know it tell your face. - Participate in the whole service not just the music. - Sing/play with conviction. - Who you are off the stage is more important than who you are on the stage. - Passion is consistency. Excitement and energy will follow.

8. ATMOSPHERE

Everything carries atmosphere. Atmosphere is the pervading tone or mood of a place or situation. 1. Know what kind of atmosphere you want. a. Who sets the atmosphere 2. How to create atmosphere in your music: a. Find ways to make it an experience. i. Creatively engage your congregation. ii. People dont want to endure church they want to enjoy it.

b. Transitions in between songs can make or break a moment! i. Momentum can be lost because of how you end a song. ii. Avoid those awkward moments c. Always be prepared. i. Know your stuff inside and out. ii. PROPER PREPARATION PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE. d. Atmosphere starts way before the first note is played during the service. i. Music playing as people walk into the sanctuary. ii. Our greeters have the biggest smiles on their faces, ushers are helping people find seats, we have leaders at the front who are creating conversation all this helps LIFT the atmosphere of our service. iii. Were praying before we go onto the platform. God has to be at the centre of what we do otherwise why bother.

RESOURCES

Planning Center Online (www.planningcenteronline.com)

Planning, Organizing Volunteers, Service Orders an amazing resource to keep everything organized.

Seeds Blog (seeds.churchonthemove.com)

Creative resources, blogs, ideas from Church On The Move

Hillsongs Collected (www. hillsongcollected.com)

Creative resources, blogs, ideas from Hillsong Church Magazine

Worship Leader (www.worshipleadermedia.com) YouTube (www.youtube.com) Music and Worship (www.rodbest.com/downloads.html)

Worship Team Training

Worship Leader Insights- With Jason Hatley (www.worshipleaderinsights.com/insights)

A lot of great basics on training, growing and leading teams)

Praise and Worship: My Worship Tunes: (www.myworshiptunes.com/category/praise-worship/)

This has got various worship resources, videos, workshops etc.

Worship Training (members.worshiptraining.com/groups/dans-word-to-ourcommunity/home/)

Groups, Team Builder