adding members to your music team

[HelenaZF]

I thought this was an excellent guideline on a good way to add members to your platform music team. Do you do something similar in your situation? Do you agree with Tom's method? Do you have some different ideas on how it should be done?



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.

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.