How to develop your worship band (Part 1)

Introduction

Picture this: It's Sunday morning, and your worship team is about to take the stage. The hearts are willing, but the musical skills? There's room for growth. As worship leaders, we're often blessed with passionate volunteers who have more enthusiasm than experience. Let's explore how to nurture your team's talents, turning those tentative strums into confident melodies that lead your congregation into powerful worship.

1. Embrace the Symphony of Growth

Most of our band members didn't graduate from Berklee College of Music. And that's perfectly okay. The beauty lies in the journey.

I've seen keyboard players grow from hesitant beginners to confident musicians leading spontaneous worship moments. This transformation doesn't happen overnight, but with patience and guidance, it's amazing to see how far musicians can come.

Practical Tip: Give one “bite-size” improvement area for each musician. Do this in real-time at a rehearsal or take them to lunch to see where they want to grow. Set milestone goals and celebrate each achievement along the way.

2. Ignite the Passion for Excellence

Balance musical skills with spiritual growth by tying it all back to your ministry's vision. Remember David? He sought the most skilled musicians in the land.

Share this perspective: "Imagine if we approached our music the way the temple builders approached their craft - with such excellence that it leaves people in awe of God's glory. That's our goal every Sunday."

3. Help musicians find their place… even if it’s not where they started.

For example, if you are missing electric guitar players… try calling your acoustic guitar player to explore the world of electric guitar. As they research gear and experiment with effects, their playing transforms. This journey expands musical horizons and finds new ways to express worship.

Action Step: Be honest at rehearsals. Where are you guys strong? What needs help? Be kind, but coddling never allows for the growth that we need.

4. Cultivate a Garden of Growth

Don't forget the power of patience and encouragement. In rehearsals, highlight improvements. Simple affirmations like, "That new fill really lifted the song. Great job!" can work wonders for a musician's confidence.

Remember, growth isn't always linear. Your role is to nurture talents through all seasons.

5. The Preparation Equation

Practice and preparation are crucial. We live by this principle: "Serve the song to serve the church. Play in a way that lets the truth be lit aflame with passion in the church's heart."

Personal practice is expected, but we equip our team for success. We've created a resource library accessible through Planning Center Online (PCO), allowing team members to prepare well in advance. Our mentor system pairs experienced players with newer members, fostering continuous learning.

This approach creates a culture of responsibility and commitment. When team members consistently come unprepared, it's an opportunity for a loving but firm conversation about their commitment.

By focusing on serving the song, we're ultimately serving our church family. This mindset shifts the focus from personal performance to collective worship, encouraging each team member to hone their skills for a powerful worship experience.

Conclusion

Transforming your worship band is about helping each member become the best musical offering they can be. It's about creating an environment where growth is celebrated, excellence is pursued, and every note played is an act of worship.

Remember, every great musician started as a beginner. Your role is to nurture that spark of potential into a blazing fire of musical worship. Are you ready to embark on this transformative journey with your team?

Part 2 coming next week.