<![CDATA[ZionFireFriends - Music - Teams - Song Writing]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/ Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:46:56 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Are you using your song list to preach or worship?]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1093 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:18:00 +0000 HelenaZF]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1093


Here's a question I think we as song leaders have to ask ourselves periodically:



Am I using my song list to preach or am I using it to encourage and to worship?



It can be very tempting to try to get our personal theological points across through song choices, and I think sometimes it can be happening without our even being aware we are doing it.



So, you might ask, how would one know if this was happening, and is it a bad thing?



Let's take the second part of that question first. So what is our charge as song leaders? I believe our job is to make a musical environment in which the Body can enter into a time of connection with God. This can happen when our songs are primarily focused to God. There is a time of "washing" and musical encouragement that helps prepare for the connecting part, but our goal is always to provide a platform for believers to meet with God. Unless we keep this goal in mind, our song list can become something that prevents that connection, rather than supports it.



Songs that are too theologically complicated, wordy, or introspective can pull the singer's attention away from pressing into that God connection. There is a time for analytical consideration of those things, but it is not in the corporate worship time. If you are listening to a CD, or in a concert hall, you have the time and intent to enjoy and absorb complicated lyrics and ponder the ideas presented in story, testimony or self-searching songs. In your church service, you really do not have the luxury of indulging that sort of reverie from a time standpoint, nor do you want to encourage a spectator type of format. What you want for your congregation is involvement, either in giving worship to God or in receiving ministry from God.



In visiting various "worshiping churches" I have often seen music used as a corporate "worship vehicle" that might better be presented in a concert format. Possibly because it is currently popular on radio stations, or is from a hot new worship leader/artist that is admired, or the music team likes being "up to date" and fresh. Whatever the case, the songs are apparently added in without really looking at their scriptural integrity or at their appropriateness for corporate singing. These types of songs can be prime vehicles for us to slip into the preaching mode of song leading, because they are often sentimental and grab our imaginations. It seems we are saying something important, when we are really only indulging emotions and romantic ideas.



So we might use them to get across how we were feeling this week, or how we think our congregation should be feeling this week. Or to get people to think about a certain issue that we think is important. It is a subtle deception. We can be convinced that we are just choosing things that support the message of the day or the pastors sermon series, but be actively trying to lead people to our own understanding or thinking. I have been in services where I felt this manipulation through the song list, and it creates a spiritual disturbance and distracts me from focusing my attention on entering into a state of worship.



I do think that most of the time, this is done without any malicious intent or even awareness. But being the fallen people that we are, we can easily succumb to using powers that we have for less than the highest goals. That is why it is good to look at our motivations and our practices in an objective way and really see what we are doing with the power that we have.



How might I know if I was doing this?



Look at the songs on your list. Are they directed to God? Are they what the scriptures say about God? Do they encourage, exhort, or celebrate in a scriptural way using scriptural concepts and truths in a simple, straightforward way? If so, you are on the right track. However, if songs on your list wander through a bunch of musings, stories, feelings or have strings of complicated ideas and lots of words, they can distract from the goal. If the worshipers are trying to grasp a bunch of clever phrases or word pictures that come at them every line of the song, are we really giving them a platform for connecting with God? Maybe we are we trying to teach them something about our personal theology, or we want them to sing a song that we think is cool without thinking through whether it is the kind of song that will advance us into worship.



You might say, well, what about the great hymns of the church? Are they not theological treatises? I would say, yes, the great ones are. But they are great because they are focused. They don't ramble through multiple subjects or get bogged down in sentimentality. They are true to scripture and the idioms are clear and precise. You can learn solid theology from the great hymns. Even so, the great hymns can help prepare us for worship, but they are not always vehicles of worship in themselves. And there are bad hymns and bad or weak songs as well. I think we have to sort out the difference and also be able to characterize songs into their primary focus area of adoration, petition, repentance, self-examination, exhortation, ministry and declaration. And then, be able to use them in their right places in the service.]]>


Here's a question I think we as song leaders have to ask ourselves periodically:



Am I using my song list to preach or am I using it to encourage and to worship?



It can be very tempting to try to get our personal theological points across through song choices, and I think sometimes it can be happening without our even being aware we are doing it.



So, you might ask, how would one know if this was happening, and is it a bad thing?



Let's take the second part of that question first. So what is our charge as song leaders? I believe our job is to make a musical environment in which the Body can enter into a time of connection with God. This can happen when our songs are primarily focused to God. There is a time of "washing" and musical encouragement that helps prepare for the connecting part, but our goal is always to provide a platform for believers to meet with God. Unless we keep this goal in mind, our song list can become something that prevents that connection, rather than supports it.



Songs that are too theologically complicated, wordy, or introspective can pull the singer's attention away from pressing into that God connection. There is a time for analytical consideration of those things, but it is not in the corporate worship time. If you are listening to a CD, or in a concert hall, you have the time and intent to enjoy and absorb complicated lyrics and ponder the ideas presented in story, testimony or self-searching songs. In your church service, you really do not have the luxury of indulging that sort of reverie from a time standpoint, nor do you want to encourage a spectator type of format. What you want for your congregation is involvement, either in giving worship to God or in receiving ministry from God.



In visiting various "worshiping churches" I have often seen music used as a corporate "worship vehicle" that might better be presented in a concert format. Possibly because it is currently popular on radio stations, or is from a hot new worship leader/artist that is admired, or the music team likes being "up to date" and fresh. Whatever the case, the songs are apparently added in without really looking at their scriptural integrity or at their appropriateness for corporate singing. These types of songs can be prime vehicles for us to slip into the preaching mode of song leading, because they are often sentimental and grab our imaginations. It seems we are saying something important, when we are really only indulging emotions and romantic ideas.



So we might use them to get across how we were feeling this week, or how we think our congregation should be feeling this week. Or to get people to think about a certain issue that we think is important. It is a subtle deception. We can be convinced that we are just choosing things that support the message of the day or the pastors sermon series, but be actively trying to lead people to our own understanding or thinking. I have been in services where I felt this manipulation through the song list, and it creates a spiritual disturbance and distracts me from focusing my attention on entering into a state of worship.



I do think that most of the time, this is done without any malicious intent or even awareness. But being the fallen people that we are, we can easily succumb to using powers that we have for less than the highest goals. That is why it is good to look at our motivations and our practices in an objective way and really see what we are doing with the power that we have.



How might I know if I was doing this?



Look at the songs on your list. Are they directed to God? Are they what the scriptures say about God? Do they encourage, exhort, or celebrate in a scriptural way using scriptural concepts and truths in a simple, straightforward way? If so, you are on the right track. However, if songs on your list wander through a bunch of musings, stories, feelings or have strings of complicated ideas and lots of words, they can distract from the goal. If the worshipers are trying to grasp a bunch of clever phrases or word pictures that come at them every line of the song, are we really giving them a platform for connecting with God? Maybe we are we trying to teach them something about our personal theology, or we want them to sing a song that we think is cool without thinking through whether it is the kind of song that will advance us into worship.



You might say, well, what about the great hymns of the church? Are they not theological treatises? I would say, yes, the great ones are. But they are great because they are focused. They don't ramble through multiple subjects or get bogged down in sentimentality. They are true to scripture and the idioms are clear and precise. You can learn solid theology from the great hymns. Even so, the great hymns can help prepare us for worship, but they are not always vehicles of worship in themselves. And there are bad hymns and bad or weak songs as well. I think we have to sort out the difference and also be able to characterize songs into their primary focus area of adoration, petition, repentance, self-examination, exhortation, ministry and declaration. And then, be able to use them in their right places in the service.]]> <![CDATA[Revelation Song - Kari Jobe ◙]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1054 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:23:00 +0000 HelenaZF]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1054
https://youtu.be/3dZMBrGGmeE


]]>
https://youtu.be/3dZMBrGGmeE


]]> <![CDATA[hymns vs choruses explained]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=923 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:56:00 +0000 HelenaZF]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=923


An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city

church. He came home, and his wife asked him how it was.



"Well," said the farmer, "It was good. They did something different,

however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns."



"Praise choruses," said his wife, "What are those?"



"Oh, they're okay. They're sort of like hymns, only different," said the

farmer.



"Well, what's the difference?" asked the wife.



The farmer said, "Well, it's like this. If I were to say to you,

'Martha, the cows are in the corn,' well that would be a hymn.



"If on the other hand I was to say to you, 'Martha, Martha, Martha, Oh, Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA, the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows, the white cows, the black and white cows, the COWS, COWS, COWS are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, the CORN, CORN, CORN.'



"......Then, if I were to repeat the whole thing two or three times, well that would be a praise chorus."



Coincidentally, the same week a young businessman from the city who normally attended a church with contemporary-style worship was in the old farmer's town on business and visited the farmer's small church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was.



"Well," said the young man, "It was good. They did something different, however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs."



"Hymns," said his wife, "What are those?"



"Oh, they're okay. They're sort of like regular songs, only different," said the young man.



"What's the difference?" asked his wife.



The young man said, "Well, it's like this - if I were to say to you,



'Martha, the cows are in the corn,' that would be a regular song.



If, on the other hand, I were to say to you:



'Oh Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry,

Inclinest thine ear to the words of my mouth.

Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by

To the righteous, inimitable, glorious truth.



'For the way of the animals, who can explain?

There in their heads is no shadow of sense,

Hearkenest they in God's sun or his rain

Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced.



'Yea, those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight,

Have broke free their shackles, their warm pens eschewed.

Then, goaded by minions of darkness and night,

They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn have chewed.



'So look to that bright shining day by and by,

Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn.

Where no vicious animal makes my soul cry,

And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn.'



Then, if I were to do only verses one, three and four, and do a key change on the last verse, well, that would be a hymn."



A satirical look at the hymn vs. chorus controversy, but really points up the place of both. We need hymns because we need to contemplate the deep things of the Spirit, the theology of our faith and the mysteries of God. We need choruses because we need to transcend intellectual concepts that distract us from entering the presence of God as we repeat simple truths and declarations...they both have their place.



More important even than that is to examine the words we are singing. Is the new fun chorus (or old, traditional hymn) making sweeping statements that we are not really prepared to follow up on in our lives? ("I surrender all"...really? Is that even possible all at once? Or is it more like "I surrender some now, maybe a bit more later?") Do we really mean what we are singing? Also, is there meaning in what we are singing. Is it more than a string of words that sound good, but can't be defined as "worship?" Or worse, something that masquerades as worship, but is really just emotionalism that is non-scriptural? Both hymns AND choruses need to be examined in under the light of Scripture to see if they "sing" true.]]>


An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city

church. He came home, and his wife asked him how it was.



"Well," said the farmer, "It was good. They did something different,

however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns."



"Praise choruses," said his wife, "What are those?"



"Oh, they're okay. They're sort of like hymns, only different," said the

farmer.



"Well, what's the difference?" asked the wife.



The farmer said, "Well, it's like this. If I were to say to you,

'Martha, the cows are in the corn,' well that would be a hymn.



"If on the other hand I was to say to you, 'Martha, Martha, Martha, Oh, Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA, the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows, the white cows, the black and white cows, the COWS, COWS, COWS are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, the CORN, CORN, CORN.'



"......Then, if I were to repeat the whole thing two or three times, well that would be a praise chorus."



Coincidentally, the same week a young businessman from the city who normally attended a church with contemporary-style worship was in the old farmer's town on business and visited the farmer's small church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was.



"Well," said the young man, "It was good. They did something different, however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs."



"Hymns," said his wife, "What are those?"



"Oh, they're okay. They're sort of like regular songs, only different," said the young man.



"What's the difference?" asked his wife.



The young man said, "Well, it's like this - if I were to say to you,



'Martha, the cows are in the corn,' that would be a regular song.



If, on the other hand, I were to say to you:



'Oh Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry,

Inclinest thine ear to the words of my mouth.

Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by

To the righteous, inimitable, glorious truth.



'For the way of the animals, who can explain?

There in their heads is no shadow of sense,

Hearkenest they in God's sun or his rain

Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced.



'Yea, those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight,

Have broke free their shackles, their warm pens eschewed.

Then, goaded by minions of darkness and night,

They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn have chewed.



'So look to that bright shining day by and by,

Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn.

Where no vicious animal makes my soul cry,

And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn.'



Then, if I were to do only verses one, three and four, and do a key change on the last verse, well, that would be a hymn."



A satirical look at the hymn vs. chorus controversy, but really points up the place of both. We need hymns because we need to contemplate the deep things of the Spirit, the theology of our faith and the mysteries of God. We need choruses because we need to transcend intellectual concepts that distract us from entering the presence of God as we repeat simple truths and declarations...they both have their place.



More important even than that is to examine the words we are singing. Is the new fun chorus (or old, traditional hymn) making sweeping statements that we are not really prepared to follow up on in our lives? ("I surrender all"...really? Is that even possible all at once? Or is it more like "I surrender some now, maybe a bit more later?") Do we really mean what we are singing? Also, is there meaning in what we are singing. Is it more than a string of words that sound good, but can't be defined as "worship?" Or worse, something that masquerades as worship, but is really just emotionalism that is non-scriptural? Both hymns AND choruses need to be examined in under the light of Scripture to see if they "sing" true.]]> <![CDATA[Who's on YOUR worship team??]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=817 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:06:00 +0000 DeanZF]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=817


I like to think of a worship team (worship leadership team might be more accurate) as being comprised of components of leadership. Music team alone is the single most commonly perceived "worship team". And in some congregations, that's pretty much all there is. We can add pageantry or movement or dance teams to that, too. And mimes, drama, clowns, and a host of other visible teams



Think of some of the other, NON-musical components of even the one narrow view of worship leadership, the music only team. How 'bout your faithful overhead flippers or PowerPoint operators who provide the words to the People of the Pew? Do those folks attend any portion of the weekly rehearsal? Or at least the warm-up time before the weekly service? Are they made to feel included in praise or worship leadership? They may be more support than leadership, but if they're providing the visuals, it would be good for them to be well aware of what's being planned. At least the run-through lets them know the intentions and allows for some surety of having all of the slides at their fingertips. If they run in 60 seconds prior to the prelude and hope that someone has pulled the materials (including all four slides of that one wordy song), it's a snag waiting to happen. Projectionists should be virtually invisible and can be only if they are prepared. That means being familiar with the run list and which parts of what songs will be repeated or deleted. And it means making sure that the doggoned machine WORKS! Have you got at least one extra bulb for that projector on hand? Helena has also addressed some of this in the Video Jockeys post.



Now, another set of unsung heros or too well recognized goats, the sound and light techs. Are your techies considered as part of your team? Do they show up at rehearsals so that they can listen for weaknesses in the mix and be prepared to fix them. Same with lighting techs.



Sound & Lights are not things that are static. They change. Lights for most praise or worship times are not going to change a lot, but subtle changes can enhance the music. Sound, on the other hand, is a VERY dynamic issue. Unlike the Ronco Rotisserie, it is not a matter of "set it and forget it" to achieve optimal or even decent sound reinforcement. If it sounded good in practice, that's nice, but now two of the singers who were nicely blended are now very OUT of balance. Why? Neither felt well at rehearsal and suddenly one is now back to full strength and the other has gotten worse! Now we can't even hear the lead because the strong singer is overwhelming in the mix. Or the keyboard player switched patches and the newest one is LOUD(!!) in the mix "Well, it was okay at rehearsal" just does not cut it.



Good sound techs recognize that the sound desk is an instrument and must be played every bit like an instrument. And with 24 or 32 channels, that can be a LOT of fingers on the switches. Tongue Got a violin or flute or sax playing a little solo? It needs to be bumped up in the mix. Got a singer who is singing a "song of the Lord" or sharing a scripture? If you don't pay attention it will go unheard because the singers are often buried in the background mix. And once that singer has shared, the observant sound techie remembers to pull that mic down again so that it doesn't boom through the musical mix.



Add to that, your technical teams are tremendously valuable resources. They are your eyes and ears from the back of the room. If they are part of the team, the feedback they provide can dramatically improve what the up front people are trying to convey. That improvement can reduce or remove distractions to worship and praise that music teams can often provide.



It's good to have friends in technical places.]]>


I like to think of a worship team (worship leadership team might be more accurate) as being comprised of components of leadership. Music team alone is the single most commonly perceived "worship team". And in some congregations, that's pretty much all there is. We can add pageantry or movement or dance teams to that, too. And mimes, drama, clowns, and a host of other visible teams



Think of some of the other, NON-musical components of even the one narrow view of worship leadership, the music only team. How 'bout your faithful overhead flippers or PowerPoint operators who provide the words to the People of the Pew? Do those folks attend any portion of the weekly rehearsal? Or at least the warm-up time before the weekly service? Are they made to feel included in praise or worship leadership? They may be more support than leadership, but if they're providing the visuals, it would be good for them to be well aware of what's being planned. At least the run-through lets them know the intentions and allows for some surety of having all of the slides at their fingertips. If they run in 60 seconds prior to the prelude and hope that someone has pulled the materials (including all four slides of that one wordy song), it's a snag waiting to happen. Projectionists should be virtually invisible and can be only if they are prepared. That means being familiar with the run list and which parts of what songs will be repeated or deleted. And it means making sure that the doggoned machine WORKS! Have you got at least one extra bulb for that projector on hand? Helena has also addressed some of this in the Video Jockeys post.



Now, another set of unsung heros or too well recognized goats, the sound and light techs. Are your techies considered as part of your team? Do they show up at rehearsals so that they can listen for weaknesses in the mix and be prepared to fix them. Same with lighting techs.



Sound & Lights are not things that are static. They change. Lights for most praise or worship times are not going to change a lot, but subtle changes can enhance the music. Sound, on the other hand, is a VERY dynamic issue. Unlike the Ronco Rotisserie, it is not a matter of "set it and forget it" to achieve optimal or even decent sound reinforcement. If it sounded good in practice, that's nice, but now two of the singers who were nicely blended are now very OUT of balance. Why? Neither felt well at rehearsal and suddenly one is now back to full strength and the other has gotten worse! Now we can't even hear the lead because the strong singer is overwhelming in the mix. Or the keyboard player switched patches and the newest one is LOUD(!!) in the mix "Well, it was okay at rehearsal" just does not cut it.



Good sound techs recognize that the sound desk is an instrument and must be played every bit like an instrument. And with 24 or 32 channels, that can be a LOT of fingers on the switches. Tongue Got a violin or flute or sax playing a little solo? It needs to be bumped up in the mix. Got a singer who is singing a "song of the Lord" or sharing a scripture? If you don't pay attention it will go unheard because the singers are often buried in the background mix. And once that singer has shared, the observant sound techie remembers to pull that mic down again so that it doesn't boom through the musical mix.



Add to that, your technical teams are tremendously valuable resources. They are your eyes and ears from the back of the room. If they are part of the team, the feedback they provide can dramatically improve what the up front people are trying to convey. That improvement can reduce or remove distractions to worship and praise that music teams can often provide.



It's good to have friends in technical places.]]> <![CDATA[video jockeys - beyond video technicians]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=815 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:10:00 +0000 HelenaZF]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=815


Video technicians pre-plan the visuals for the entire worship service, sometimes with a PowerPoint presentation, or sometimes even with video clips and customized images worked into the backgrounds of song lyrics. This can be done by standard video technology and someone who knows how to use a laptop computer.



But the new trend is to Video Jockeys...VJs. A VJ comes to the service with hundreds of video clips and a video mixer to fade in and out, vary speed and mash up and overlay multiple backdrops for songs during worship. He plays his instrument like any other musician, but what he produces is not sound....it is the perfect visual backdrop that can be adjusted instantly as the character of the praise and worship atmosphere progresses through the service. The VJ provides on-the-spot sensitivity in the visual accompaniment for worship.



You'll see VJs used in some of the bigger music tours this year: Integrity is one that will be doing this, and also Beth Moore and Chris Tomlin.



Anyone experienced this yet?]]>


Video technicians pre-plan the visuals for the entire worship service, sometimes with a PowerPoint presentation, or sometimes even with video clips and customized images worked into the backgrounds of song lyrics. This can be done by standard video technology and someone who knows how to use a laptop computer.



But the new trend is to Video Jockeys...VJs. A VJ comes to the service with hundreds of video clips and a video mixer to fade in and out, vary speed and mash up and overlay multiple backdrops for songs during worship. He plays his instrument like any other musician, but what he produces is not sound....it is the perfect visual backdrop that can be adjusted instantly as the character of the praise and worship atmosphere progresses through the service. The VJ provides on-the-spot sensitivity in the visual accompaniment for worship.



You'll see VJs used in some of the bigger music tours this year: Integrity is one that will be doing this, and also Beth Moore and Chris Tomlin.



Anyone experienced this yet?]]> <![CDATA[Describe a Psalmist]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=788 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 06:43:00 +0000 sonworshiper]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=788
I know it's been a while--to be honest, I have hardly even had the time to check the posts lately! I won't even be around this week, as a friend and I are heading off to New Jersey to a Joyce Meyer conference! Smile



Tell me what you know about "psalmists"! The "office" of the psalmist, how to learn. . .anything you know.



Blessings!



Moe.

:crooner:]]>
I know it's been a while--to be honest, I have hardly even had the time to check the posts lately! I won't even be around this week, as a friend and I are heading off to New Jersey to a Joyce Meyer conference! Smile



Tell me what you know about "psalmists"! The "office" of the psalmist, how to learn. . .anything you know.



Blessings!



Moe.

:crooner:]]> <![CDATA[how do you define the "new song"?]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=757 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:46:00 +0000 HelenaZF]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=757 Psalm 96:1 O sing to the Lord a new song!



Thought it might be interesting to discuss the "new song" talked about in the scriptures.



What is it? What is it's structure? It's inspiration? Can the new song be a corporate expression? Is it prophecy? Is it always spontaneous or can it be carefully crafted? What is "new" about it? The words? Musical style? Melodies?



How do you define the new song?



Here are a couple of thoughts and scriptures to get your thought processes going:
Quote:We are to sing a new song to the Lord. It is a song of the redeemed people of God. This new song is a different and distinctive song, a more glorious song, a purer, truer and more beautiful song than the world can ever sing. (Psalms 33:3; 96:1; 149:1; Rev. 5:9-10)



"In scripture, the word new is used more frequently in relation to song than to any other feature of salvation." (MacArthur) New is not used to mean new in time, but new in character or of a different nature compared to what was old. (Isaiah 42:10)

Ps33:3 Sing to him a new song;

play skillfully, and shout for joy.



Ps96:1 Sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all the earth.



Ps149:1 Praise the LORD. [a]

Sing to the LORD a new song,

his praise in the assembly of the saints.



Rev5:9 And they sang a new song:

"You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood you purchased men for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation.



Isaiah42:10 Sing to the LORD a new song,

his praise from the ends of the earth,

you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,

you islands, and all who live in them.]]> Psalm 96:1 O sing to the Lord a new song!



Thought it might be interesting to discuss the "new song" talked about in the scriptures.



What is it? What is it's structure? It's inspiration? Can the new song be a corporate expression? Is it prophecy? Is it always spontaneous or can it be carefully crafted? What is "new" about it? The words? Musical style? Melodies?



How do you define the new song?



Here are a couple of thoughts and scriptures to get your thought processes going:
Quote:We are to sing a new song to the Lord. It is a song of the redeemed people of God. This new song is a different and distinctive song, a more glorious song, a purer, truer and more beautiful song than the world can ever sing. (Psalms 33:3; 96:1; 149:1; Rev. 5:9-10)



"In scripture, the word new is used more frequently in relation to song than to any other feature of salvation." (MacArthur) New is not used to mean new in time, but new in character or of a different nature compared to what was old. (Isaiah 42:10)

Ps33:3 Sing to him a new song;

play skillfully, and shout for joy.



Ps96:1 Sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all the earth.



Ps149:1 Praise the LORD. [a]

Sing to the LORD a new song,

his praise in the assembly of the saints.



Rev5:9 And they sang a new song:

"You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood you purchased men for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation.



Isaiah42:10 Sing to the LORD a new song,

his praise from the ends of the earth,

you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,

you islands, and all who live in them.]]> <![CDATA[Music Software and computers]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=697 Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:51:00 +0000 sonworshiper]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=697


I spend a lot of time at my computer and usually am listening to music and/or learning songs. I'm finding today that my songs that are on my laptop are skipping. . .it's super frustrating. I'm using Media Player 11. I have plenty of memory and tons of harddrive space. I ripped a lot of my cd's onto my harddrive.



Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing the music to jump?



This laptop camp with McAffee internet security something-or-other. . .and google desktop all installed. . .



Hopefully someone out there knows what I could do to stop this annoyance!



Thanks!



Moe.

]]>


I spend a lot of time at my computer and usually am listening to music and/or learning songs. I'm finding today that my songs that are on my laptop are skipping. . .it's super frustrating. I'm using Media Player 11. I have plenty of memory and tons of harddrive space. I ripped a lot of my cd's onto my harddrive.



Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing the music to jump?



This laptop camp with McAffee internet security something-or-other. . .and google desktop all installed. . .



Hopefully someone out there knows what I could do to stop this annoyance!



Thanks!



Moe.

]]> <![CDATA[Worship Software]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=696 Sat, 10 Feb 2007 09:35:00 +0000 sonworshiper]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=696


This program (WA) keeps info on worship teams, you can print overheads right from the song file, you can do set lists for each week. Tons of things. Plus! It transposes the keys when you need to! THAT is probably my personal favourite of the whole program. Being a guitarist (an "okay" one), that is beyond handy for me!



Your turn--what if any, software, do you use?



Blessings!



Moe.

:crooner:]]>


This program (WA) keeps info on worship teams, you can print overheads right from the song file, you can do set lists for each week. Tons of things. Plus! It transposes the keys when you need to! THAT is probably my personal favourite of the whole program. Being a guitarist (an "okay" one), that is beyond handy for me!



Your turn--what if any, software, do you use?



Blessings!



Moe.

:crooner:]]> <![CDATA[How much prep time?]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=695 Sat, 10 Feb 2007 09:29:00 +0000 sonworshiper]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=695


For me it varies. There are times when I get this clear idea in my mind of where or how the list should work. Other times, I struggle and can't get a clear picture at all. Sometimes, I start on Monday already looking toward the next Sunday. Sometimes, it's during my own worship times during the week, when I get a sense of some songs to use. Still other times, I have no idea until even Sunday morning!



How about y'all?



Blessings!



Moe.

:crooner:]]>


For me it varies. There are times when I get this clear idea in my mind of where or how the list should work. Other times, I struggle and can't get a clear picture at all. Sometimes, I start on Monday already looking toward the next Sunday. Sometimes, it's during my own worship times during the week, when I get a sense of some songs to use. Still other times, I have no idea until even Sunday morning!



How about y'all?



Blessings!



Moe.

:crooner:]]> <![CDATA[dress code for the music team]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=682 Mon, 29 Jan 2007 13:52:00 +0000 HelenaZF]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=682


Does it need one?



What do you think about the way your music team dresses?



What do you think is the best way to handle the dress code issue with your up-front musicians?]]>


Does it need one?



What do you think about the way your music team dresses?



What do you think is the best way to handle the dress code issue with your up-front musicians?]]> <![CDATA[Projection vs. Overheads]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=670 Mon, 22 Jan 2007 14:09:00 +0000 sonworshiper]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=670


Just wondering how y'all project (overheads / projector) your lyrics on Sundays--that is, if you aren't using hymn books or songbooks.



We have always used overheads (I've led worship in 4 churches and all have used only overheads). But with technology being as it is, we're now thinking about (toying with the idea really) of using a projector.



I use Worship Assistant (what software do you use??) and it has the ability to do the presentation format. I'm wondering how you do it--who does the switching of songs for you? The same person as for overheads?? (I do my own overheads!) Do you use backgrounds for each song individually or as a set?



Questions, questions!! Any and all opinions welcomed!



Blessings!



Moe.

:crooner:]]>


Just wondering how y'all project (overheads / projector) your lyrics on Sundays--that is, if you aren't using hymn books or songbooks.



We have always used overheads (I've led worship in 4 churches and all have used only overheads). But with technology being as it is, we're now thinking about (toying with the idea really) of using a projector.



I use Worship Assistant (what software do you use??) and it has the ability to do the presentation format. I'm wondering how you do it--who does the switching of songs for you? The same person as for overheads?? (I do my own overheads!) Do you use backgrounds for each song individually or as a set?



Questions, questions!! Any and all opinions welcomed!



Blessings!



Moe.

:crooner:]]> <![CDATA[letting the SELAH develop]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=664 Thu, 18 Jan 2007 01:24:00 +0000 HelenaZF]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=664 selah (pronounced SEE-luh), a word used primarily in the Psalms, was a musical notation meaning a stop or pause. But it is much more. Consider this:


Quote:Selah, [celah], is from the primary Hebrew root word [calah] which means 'to hang,' and by implication to measure (weigh). This is readily understood because in Biblical history, money, food and other valuables were 'weighed' by hanging or suspending them on a type of balance (the equivalent of our measuring scale) to determine their value.



So seeing that this Hebrew word [calah] means to 'measure,' as in weighing something in the balances, we better understand how the word Selah [celah], which is derived from it, is illustrating that we should measure or value what has been said. In other words, just as we would say today, the diplomat should, "weigh what he says carefully."  And the word [celah] is used in this very same way. It is an illustration that we should 'measure' or value carefully what has just transpired.

Often there is a time at the end of a song, when we move into a free time of instrumental improvisation, singing in the spirit, or even silence. These are "selah" times. They give us opportunity to reflect on the message just brought in the song...the awesomeness of God and his works. If we are willing to allow it, many powerful and beautiful things can come out of a selah time. After a while, the musicians might settle into a chord progression that instruments can soar over. Prophetic song can come forth. Rhythmic prophecies on the drums, other instruments joining in to make underlayments for warfare, peace, compassion, intercession. And there might be silence. And then, after a while....a word, a scripture, a song of the Bridegroom...the response back to the Lord....a dance.....Or just silence. It can go on until the intimacy is so intense it is almost hard to breathe. Sweet, and dripping with the honey of the presence of the Lord.



Not all worship leaders are comfortable with extended times of selah, and part of it is not having been there before, and not knowing quite what to do, and I think part is being uncomfortable with the silence.



We seem to be so afraid of silence. It's like the radio disc jockeys who's worst nightmare is dead air. They are afraid that if they have too much dead air, they will be fired.



What are we afraid of when there is silence in worship? It's uncomfortable...we get self-conscious...worry about the time used.....wonder if we are the ones that are supposed to break the silence. What will happen next? When is it right to end the silence, the selah time?



And yet, it's worth all the risks, because by taking the time...we become pliable and receptive to the deep visitation of the Holy Spirit as we minister our worship to Him. But it doesn't happen in a 45 second time of post song-end progressions and then on to the next number. It takes time to ripen, to develope, to come to full expression--both from us and from the Lord as we finally open to Him.



In the early days of charismatic expression, singing in the spirit consisted of using up all of your prayer language in a rather static melody that was sung over one long, extended chord. It would tend to trail off fairly quickly, because there just wasn't all that much you could do musically with just one chord. But later, worship leaders began using logical chord progressions (I think Elim was one of the first places from which this disseminated) and a whole new world opened up. The selah could go on for long periods of time, ever interesting musically, swelling in and out of mood and emotion according to the tenor of the progressions chosen. And, as a body, we could soak in intimacy with our Lover/King.



It can be pretty cool...." hangin' " with the Lord. Smile Selah.]]> selah (pronounced SEE-luh), a word used primarily in the Psalms, was a musical notation meaning a stop or pause. But it is much more. Consider this:


Quote:Selah, [celah], is from the primary Hebrew root word [calah] which means 'to hang,' and by implication to measure (weigh). This is readily understood because in Biblical history, money, food and other valuables were 'weighed' by hanging or suspending them on a type of balance (the equivalent of our measuring scale) to determine their value.



So seeing that this Hebrew word [calah] means to 'measure,' as in weighing something in the balances, we better understand how the word Selah [celah], which is derived from it, is illustrating that we should measure or value what has been said. In other words, just as we would say today, the diplomat should, "weigh what he says carefully."  And the word [celah] is used in this very same way. It is an illustration that we should 'measure' or value carefully what has just transpired.

Often there is a time at the end of a song, when we move into a free time of instrumental improvisation, singing in the spirit, or even silence. These are "selah" times. They give us opportunity to reflect on the message just brought in the song...the awesomeness of God and his works. If we are willing to allow it, many powerful and beautiful things can come out of a selah time. After a while, the musicians might settle into a chord progression that instruments can soar over. Prophetic song can come forth. Rhythmic prophecies on the drums, other instruments joining in to make underlayments for warfare, peace, compassion, intercession. And there might be silence. And then, after a while....a word, a scripture, a song of the Bridegroom...the response back to the Lord....a dance.....Or just silence. It can go on until the intimacy is so intense it is almost hard to breathe. Sweet, and dripping with the honey of the presence of the Lord.



Not all worship leaders are comfortable with extended times of selah, and part of it is not having been there before, and not knowing quite what to do, and I think part is being uncomfortable with the silence.



We seem to be so afraid of silence. It's like the radio disc jockeys who's worst nightmare is dead air. They are afraid that if they have too much dead air, they will be fired.



What are we afraid of when there is silence in worship? It's uncomfortable...we get self-conscious...worry about the time used.....wonder if we are the ones that are supposed to break the silence. What will happen next? When is it right to end the silence, the selah time?



And yet, it's worth all the risks, because by taking the time...we become pliable and receptive to the deep visitation of the Holy Spirit as we minister our worship to Him. But it doesn't happen in a 45 second time of post song-end progressions and then on to the next number. It takes time to ripen, to develope, to come to full expression--both from us and from the Lord as we finally open to Him.



In the early days of charismatic expression, singing in the spirit consisted of using up all of your prayer language in a rather static melody that was sung over one long, extended chord. It would tend to trail off fairly quickly, because there just wasn't all that much you could do musically with just one chord. But later, worship leaders began using logical chord progressions (I think Elim was one of the first places from which this disseminated) and a whole new world opened up. The selah could go on for long periods of time, ever interesting musically, swelling in and out of mood and emotion according to the tenor of the progressions chosen. And, as a body, we could soak in intimacy with our Lover/King.



It can be pretty cool...." hangin' " with the Lord. Smile Selah.]]> <![CDATA[Something to think about as we start a new year]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=654 Sun, 07 Jan 2007 20:46:00 +0000 DeanZF]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=654


The question was asked, "What were your favorite songs for 2006?" It received answers that were from individuals on their own behalf and from individuals answering that the congregation's favs for the year were...



As I read the list, I was struck as to how many of the songs were just so very commercial. I had to respond, hoping to provoke a few folks to hear this voice crying in the wilderness of contemporary Christian music. It's posted hear by special request.



A Lament



I have a hurting in my heart about songs at play in the body at this moment in time.



Once upon a time, in the not so long ago, there were a rash of wonderful, God-centered, worshipful or praise-ful songs that erupted on the scene. Many of them were scripture quotes, most of them were written by relative unknowns, some were just the result of worship times or "words" to some specific, unnamed congregation in the Kingdom. Those songs went on to become the staples of worship in many places. Why were they adopted? Primarily because they were wonderful, God-centered, worshipful, or praise-ful songs. Not because they were heard on the radio or from the latest hot CD from some currently-popular artist. Not because, "Hey, our band can do sounds like that!"



During that time, there also seemed to have been a greater number of "home-grown" songs that followed the same sort of pattern of praying through a scripture and having Father provide a melody that fit the words and that was reasonably easy to sing. No hooks, no formulae, not a lot of gimmickry. In several of the congregations that we've called home over the years, there seemed to have been called psalmists and song-smiths who crafted songs that lit up the congregations. Think about Darlene Zschech and a few others of similar status. The songs that they wrote and that sent them to stardom in the Kingdom were written for their congregations with the intention of creating a worshipful or praise-ful experience. They were not written so they'd conveniently fit in CD tracks or with intentional "hooks" (formula songs), and they were written specifically so that they would be easy to sing and memorable.



Contrast those songs with some of what's coming forth today. Super syncopated, words that don't fit melodic lines, words that are really in the radio-pop-concert culture more than the congregational culture. We seem to be ever-increasingly converting our congregations to extensions of the local Christian Radio Station! That's alarming to me. I don't travel as much as I used to, so I don't get into as many congregations as I used to sadly. The ones that I do visit, however, often provide two types of songs for congregational consumption. It works out to songs that the bulk of the people sing and those that the bulk of the people just listen to because there are too many syllables in too few beats, so much syncopation that the pulse is lost on them, or that they just can't "get" the melody. I listen to poor or careless musical choices in the times when we do travel. People leading songs of repentence during a time of Communion, people leading songs that don't even mention God during times that are supposed to be either praising Him (Dean-defined as talking ABOUT Him to others) or worshiping Him (Dean-defined as talking TO Him about Him, not about me!). I listen to deep, passionate love songs to Him sung like polkas or an Iron Butterfly rendition. I watch what seems to be performance after performance that are focusing attention on the the lead singers in the literal spotlight rather than watching those lead singers get out of the way so folks can commune with their God.



Again, not casting aspersions, just asking questions. Are we as music worship leaders listening and paying attention to the response of the people or are we just sinking into warm puddles of personal feel-goods because of some jazzy, poppy, top-40 sounds? Are we thinking about what we're serving our people or just doing the latest greatest cool songs that we heard on the radio or the latest CD from a favorite pop-icon artist? Are we being careful--no, ADAMANT, to avoid the spotlight and to point others to Him, and not be singing about ourselves more than about or to Him? Listen carefully to the words you sing. Speak them out and listen to what they say without the music. Am "I" mentioned more than "You, O Lord"?



I offer this post just as something to think and pray about for your own musical efforts over the last year, and into the new.



Blessings!]]>


The question was asked, "What were your favorite songs for 2006?" It received answers that were from individuals on their own behalf and from individuals answering that the congregation's favs for the year were...



As I read the list, I was struck as to how many of the songs were just so very commercial. I had to respond, hoping to provoke a few folks to hear this voice crying in the wilderness of contemporary Christian music. It's posted hear by special request.



A Lament



I have a hurting in my heart about songs at play in the body at this moment in time.



Once upon a time, in the not so long ago, there were a rash of wonderful, God-centered, worshipful or praise-ful songs that erupted on the scene. Many of them were scripture quotes, most of them were written by relative unknowns, some were just the result of worship times or "words" to some specific, unnamed congregation in the Kingdom. Those songs went on to become the staples of worship in many places. Why were they adopted? Primarily because they were wonderful, God-centered, worshipful, or praise-ful songs. Not because they were heard on the radio or from the latest hot CD from some currently-popular artist. Not because, "Hey, our band can do sounds like that!"



During that time, there also seemed to have been a greater number of "home-grown" songs that followed the same sort of pattern of praying through a scripture and having Father provide a melody that fit the words and that was reasonably easy to sing. No hooks, no formulae, not a lot of gimmickry. In several of the congregations that we've called home over the years, there seemed to have been called psalmists and song-smiths who crafted songs that lit up the congregations. Think about Darlene Zschech and a few others of similar status. The songs that they wrote and that sent them to stardom in the Kingdom were written for their congregations with the intention of creating a worshipful or praise-ful experience. They were not written so they'd conveniently fit in CD tracks or with intentional "hooks" (formula songs), and they were written specifically so that they would be easy to sing and memorable.



Contrast those songs with some of what's coming forth today. Super syncopated, words that don't fit melodic lines, words that are really in the radio-pop-concert culture more than the congregational culture. We seem to be ever-increasingly converting our congregations to extensions of the local Christian Radio Station! That's alarming to me. I don't travel as much as I used to, so I don't get into as many congregations as I used to sadly. The ones that I do visit, however, often provide two types of songs for congregational consumption. It works out to songs that the bulk of the people sing and those that the bulk of the people just listen to because there are too many syllables in too few beats, so much syncopation that the pulse is lost on them, or that they just can't "get" the melody. I listen to poor or careless musical choices in the times when we do travel. People leading songs of repentence during a time of Communion, people leading songs that don't even mention God during times that are supposed to be either praising Him (Dean-defined as talking ABOUT Him to others) or worshiping Him (Dean-defined as talking TO Him about Him, not about me!). I listen to deep, passionate love songs to Him sung like polkas or an Iron Butterfly rendition. I watch what seems to be performance after performance that are focusing attention on the the lead singers in the literal spotlight rather than watching those lead singers get out of the way so folks can commune with their God.



Again, not casting aspersions, just asking questions. Are we as music worship leaders listening and paying attention to the response of the people or are we just sinking into warm puddles of personal feel-goods because of some jazzy, poppy, top-40 sounds? Are we thinking about what we're serving our people or just doing the latest greatest cool songs that we heard on the radio or the latest CD from a favorite pop-icon artist? Are we being careful--no, ADAMANT, to avoid the spotlight and to point others to Him, and not be singing about ourselves more than about or to Him? Listen carefully to the words you sing. Speak them out and listen to what they say without the music. Am "I" mentioned more than "You, O Lord"?



I offer this post just as something to think and pray about for your own musical efforts over the last year, and into the new.



Blessings!]]> <![CDATA[adding members to your music team]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=650 Thu, 04 Jan 2007 14:26:00 +0000 HelenaZF]]> https://zionfire.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=650


excerpted from Tom Kraeuter's book, <URL url="http://www.amazon.com/Developing-Effective-Worship-Ministry-Kraeuter/dp/1883002052">Developing an Effective Worship Ministry available through Amazon.com.


Quote:Qualifications



1. Spiritual maturity - As stated, this is a leadership-type ministry and, hence, is ordinarily not a place for new or immature Christians.



2. Musical expertise - The musicians and vocalists need to be skilled enough to follow a service which is ed by the Spirit of God.We do not want to limit what God will do simply because we cannot handle it musically.



3. Time commitment - Practice sessions, Sunday and Saturday preparation and ministry are mandatory. In addition, there are seminars, special retreats and events, and more. Involvement in this ministry needs to take high priority in your life next to family and work.



4. Support of family - It is important that the individual's immediate family members are willing to accept the necessary time commitment and be a support to the individual.



5. Ability to flow with the team - Some people are very gifted musicians and /or vocalists, but for one reason or another (vocal range, musical style, etc.) they have trouble flowing with the team. These individuals are highly encouraged to share their musical gifts in other ways (special music, choir, small groups of similar interest, etc.) with the body.



Guidelines



1. Probationary period - There will ordinarily be a minimum of a six week probationary period during which the individual will attend practice sessions but will not play or sing with the team on Saturdays or Sundays. After such time it will be at the discretion of the Worship Pastor as to when the individual will begin singing or playing in the services.



2. Weekly practice sessions - All team members are required to attend the weekly practice sessions. Musicians and singers are required to be in the auditorium for scheduled rehearsals prior to the services for rehearsal and sound checks. If you are not able to make a rehearsal or be there for the worship service you need to contact the Worship Pastor and inform him. If you cannot make the mid-week rehearsal you will not be able to participate on the following Sunday with us. Because we are always introducing newmusic it is important that you are at the rehearsal prior to that weekend.



3. Other functions - The team will be expected to lead worship for seminars and other special retreats and meetings if needed.



4. Commitment to being spiritually prepared to minister - Our spiritual preparation has a direct effect on our effectiveness as a worship and music ministry team. We need to come ready not only to sing and play music but to worship the King and minister to His people.



5. Commitment to musical expertise - We need to work at our instrumental and / or vocal ability to become the very best we can be. This means a great deal of individual practice (maybe even lessons) as well as playing with the team. Keep in mind that the team will only be as musically proficient as the individuals that make it up.



6. Commitment to growing spiritually - This too is as important on an individual basis as it is with the team. As a leadership ministry, we need to be committed to maturing in Christ.



7. Commitment to flowing with the team - More than individual expertise, our musical goal needs to be the ability to flow with the team. We need to look at our team as not just a collection of separate musicians but as a single unit with a single purpose. Our heart attitude should not be to shine forth our own technical skill but to use that skill to enhance the team as a whole.



8. Commitment to being a witness outside of church walls - Should at any time during your involvement in the music ministry and / or worship team you feel that your personal life is not reflecting what we are about or what Christ would have, that you voluntarily step down so that His name and work would not be publicly mocked.
]]>


excerpted from Tom Kraeuter's book, <URL url="http://www.amazon.com/Developing-Effective-Worship-Ministry-Kraeuter/dp/1883002052">Developing an Effective Worship Ministry available through Amazon.com.


Quote:Qualifications



1. Spiritual maturity - As stated, this is a leadership-type ministry and, hence, is ordinarily not a place for new or immature Christians.



2. Musical expertise - The musicians and vocalists need to be skilled enough to follow a service which is ed by the Spirit of God.We do not want to limit what God will do simply because we cannot handle it musically.



3. Time commitment - Practice sessions, Sunday and Saturday preparation and ministry are mandatory. In addition, there are seminars, special retreats and events, and more. Involvement in this ministry needs to take high priority in your life next to family and work.



4. Support of family - It is important that the individual's immediate family members are willing to accept the necessary time commitment and be a support to the individual.



5. Ability to flow with the team - Some people are very gifted musicians and /or vocalists, but for one reason or another (vocal range, musical style, etc.) they have trouble flowing with the team. These individuals are highly encouraged to share their musical gifts in other ways (special music, choir, small groups of similar interest, etc.) with the body.



Guidelines



1. Probationary period - There will ordinarily be a minimum of a six week probationary period during which the individual will attend practice sessions but will not play or sing with the team on Saturdays or Sundays. After such time it will be at the discretion of the Worship Pastor as to when the individual will begin singing or playing in the services.



2. Weekly practice sessions - All team members are required to attend the weekly practice sessions. Musicians and singers are required to be in the auditorium for scheduled rehearsals prior to the services for rehearsal and sound checks. If you are not able to make a rehearsal or be there for the worship service you need to contact the Worship Pastor and inform him. If you cannot make the mid-week rehearsal you will not be able to participate on the following Sunday with us. Because we are always introducing newmusic it is important that you are at the rehearsal prior to that weekend.



3. Other functions - The team will be expected to lead worship for seminars and other special retreats and meetings if needed.



4. Commitment to being spiritually prepared to minister - Our spiritual preparation has a direct effect on our effectiveness as a worship and music ministry team. We need to come ready not only to sing and play music but to worship the King and minister to His people.



5. Commitment to musical expertise - We need to work at our instrumental and / or vocal ability to become the very best we can be. This means a great deal of individual practice (maybe even lessons) as well as playing with the team. Keep in mind that the team will only be as musically proficient as the individuals that make it up.



6. Commitment to growing spiritually - This too is as important on an individual basis as it is with the team. As a leadership ministry, we need to be committed to maturing in Christ.



7. Commitment to flowing with the team - More than individual expertise, our musical goal needs to be the ability to flow with the team. We need to look at our team as not just a collection of separate musicians but as a single unit with a single purpose. Our heart attitude should not be to shine forth our own technical skill but to use that skill to enhance the team as a whole.



8. Commitment to being a witness outside of church walls - Should at any time during your involvement in the music ministry and / or worship team you feel that your personal life is not reflecting what we are about or what Christ would have, that you voluntarily step down so that His name and work would not be publicly mocked.
]]>