The worship team exists to edify and encourage the body of Christ and to direct the hearts of those they are leading toward God in worship. Our goal is to praise and worship God, not just during the worship service, but with our lives so that “the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart” are acceptable to the Lord (Psalm 19:14). Within a worship service, the goal is to bring the congregation into the presence of God (1Pet 2:5) and set the stage for the preaching of the Word of God with the ultimate goal of changing lives into the image of God (Rom12:1,2; 2Cor 3:18). Music is a tool for achieving this purpose.

The following are a list of criteria indicating the preferred qualifications for a member of the worship team.

1. Must be a Christian – Participants must be born-again believers of Christ, and their lifestyle must resemble that of a born-again Christian.

2. Must be a member –New applicants to the worship team will be required to attend 101 membership class and attend NWCC for 6 months before “taking the platform”.

3. Worshipper – To qualify for the worship team, one must be a worshipper. Every member, musicians and singers alike, must have a love for praise and worshipping our Lord.

4. Musical expertise – The musicians and vocalists need to be skilled enough to follow a service which is led by the Spirit of God. We don’t want to limit what God will do simply because we can’t handle it musically. Note that the standard of musical proficiency required may vary as the church grows.

5. Time commitment – Practice sessions and preparation before every service is mandatory. In addition, there may be seminars, special retreats, meetings and more. The worship ministry requires a fairly large time commitment.

6. Regular Church Attendance – Worship Team members should not come to church and only participate with the worship team. They should come to be discipled and/or to disciple, to worship and grow in the Lord, and to fellowship with the body of Christ. This is done by attending regular Sunday Services, bible studies and church events. Worship Team members (and especially those who are on rotation schedule) who consistently only attend church when they are scheduled on the worship team may be put on probation (The probation period is explained later in the guidelines).

7. 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.

8. 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 (musical specials, etc) with the body. Musical proficiency does not automatically make someone a top candidate for the worship team. The Minister of Worship in cooperation with the Senior Pastor reserves the right to the final decision concerning member entry into this worship ministry.

This list explains what is expected of the people who are a part of the worship ministry team.

1. Probationary period – There will ordinarily be a probationary period during which a new worship team member will attend practice sessions but will not play/sing with the team during services or other special functions. The probation period will be determined by the Minister of Worship but will generally be 6 weeks or less. The purpose of this directive is to ascertain who is genuinely interested in helping lead worship for the glory of God, and who wishes to be on the team for other reasons. In addition, this period allows time for the individual and the rest of the team to gel musically.

   • As the church grows new participants may also be required to undergo an auditioning process which may include a personal interview and musical audition. At the end of the probation period, an invitation may (or may not) be extended to join the worship team.

2. Attendance – Worship team members will be expected to be punctual and faithful in their attendance to all weekly rehearsals and worship services that they are scheduled for (some members may be on a rotation schedule). An early notice must be given if your planning on missing a practice or service, preferably a week but no later than the Sunday morning before weekly practice. If you miss practice without proper notice then you probably will not be able to participate on Sunday morning. Team members who consistently miss practices and/or services will be asked to serve a probation period. Special arrangements can be made (vacations, medical & family issues, etc.), but must be communicated and then approved by the Minister of Worship.

3. Commitment to being spiritually prepared to minister – Our spiritual preparation has a direct effect on our effectiveness as a music ministry team. We need to come ready not only to sing and play music but to worship the Lord and minister to His people. The essential element in this ministry (or any other for that matter) is our relationship with the Lord. Without a close relationship to the Lord, the worship team will NOT be effective regardless of musical proficiency.

4. 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 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.

5. 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 Jesus. Stagnant spiritual lives means a stagnant worship team. Encourage and challenge one another.

6. 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 and singers but as a single unit with a single purpose. Out heart attitude should not be to shine forth our own skills but to use those skills to enhance the team as a whole. Worship ministry is a team effort.

7. Dress standard – It is expected that members of the worship team will present themselves at every service in a manner both glorifying to God and acceptable to the human eye, considering that they are in an “up-front” ministry. Worship team members will be expected to convey a neat, clean, modest appearance while on-stage. Casual attire is appropriate for Sunday morning services.

8. Punctuality – Being on time to practices and services will assist the goal of the worship team. Team members who continually disregard starting times for rehearsals and meetings will be put on probation. If it is not possible to make a rehearsal on time, it is considered polite to notify the Minister of Worship in advance.

9. Attitudes – Membership on the worship team is a privilege, not a right. The purpose of worship team members is not to showcase their talents or to draw attention to themselves in any way. Rather, it is to selflessly and inconspicuously direct the hearts of those they are leading toward God in worship. Therefore an attitude of humility is essential. This attitude will reflect itself in a spirit of reverence toward God, a spirit of submission toward the worship team leader, and a spirit of teamwork toward fellow members of the worship team.

10. Actions – The worship team is one of the most visible ministries of the church. Therefore, it is important that members of the worship team see themselves as representatives of Jesus Christ and the church at all times. In their personal lives, worship team members will be expected to live by the highest standards of moral purity, ethical integrity and corporate unity. On stage, they should conduct themselves in a spirit of professionalism, reverence and joy.

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