WORSHIP TEAM HANDBOOK

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WORSHIP TEAM HANDBOOK

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OUR VISION

“Redeemer Worship Ministry exists to facilitate gospel-centered worship that develops highly influential gospel-centered worshippers.”

So what does this mean for us? We are…

• Facilitating Worship – We are here to point our people at Redeemer

Church to worship God. This is accomplished first by simply singing songs.

• Gospel-Centered – This means we are singing songs centered on the

person, life, work and redemption of Jesus Christ.

• Developing Highly Influential Worshippers – This is one of many facets of

discipleship at Redeemer Church. We are guiding people weekly to flourish and mature as worshippers. This requires not only singing truthful songs, but also teaching people how to worship God and why we worship God. This happens through consistent direction during our services.

OBJECTIVES OF REDEEMER WORSHIP

Loving God

Through a lifestyle of obedience to His word, passionate devotion with all our heart, soul, and mind, and laying down our lives for His Church, we actively love God. This does not gain us salvation nor does it place us in a superstar Christian role. It simply reflects a life of love toward God.

Pouring Out Ourselves

With the Spirit’s strength and power, we come to every practice, rehearsal, service, and event ready to pour ourselves out for the glory of God and the serving of Redeemer Church. (2 Corinthians 4:6-7)

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The Ministry of Reconciliation

We proclaim the gospel wherever we go, but specifically Redeemer Worship Ministry declares it to the people who walk into the doors of Redeemer Church. As ambassadors for Christ, we tell of what God has done, is doing and will do in the hearts of the people He has entrusted us with. (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

Worship Prepares the Heart

As we sing the truths of God’s word and the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are trusting God to stir the affections of His saints and also prepare the hearts of unbelievers for salvation. The truths of the songs we sing are a means (not an end) to break down walls, cause people to turn from their sin, and inject the satisfaction that only Jesus can bring.

Worship Causes the Heart to Respond

Communicating these truths by singing and then hearing the Word of God preached brings humility to bear in our hearts. God speaks, we respond. This plays out through repentance, deepening commitments, reconciling

relationships, and even believing for the first time. Being Examples of Expression

Looking at the work of Jesus Christ and the great sacrifice He has made on our behalf, worship should be an absolute. Worship is synonymous with expression. We are mirrors of expression for Redeemer Church.

Living a Full Life of Worship

Our lives should reflect this not only on the platform but also in every aspect of our lives. It is our responsibility and compulsion to live a life of worship before God. (Romans 12:1)

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LEADERSHIP

Lead Worship Pastor – Joe Morrow Worship Production Leader – Cody Hoeffner

Worship Leader/ – Trey Woodward

College Worship Leader/Musician Development – Austin Davidson Worship Leader/Operations & Personnel – MacKenzie Thrasher

REHEARSAL STRUCTURE

WORSHIP OPERATIONS

This is how we operate weekly to coordinate worship team logistics. It includes scheduling, team communication, and logistics. We do our best to place the right people in the right place at the right time. All questions, comments and requests in regards to Worship Operations should be emailed to

[email protected]. Lead Worship Pastor Vocal Director Singers BGV's Rehearsal Director Instrumentalists Auxilary Choir Director

Section Leaders Choir Worship Leader

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Scheduling

All scheduling information is located at www.planningcenteronline.com. Any

other form of communication will be received through email. It is important that all team members check their email and Planning Center often to ensure proper communication and to stay informed on upcoming scheduling.

Scheduling Basics

As team members go through the audition and development process to prepare them to serve on a team, we prayerfully and purposefully consider each person’s unique giftings to place them in an environment that they will thrive and be energized to serve in. This consideration also includes a person’s outside responsibilities, skill level, Christian maturity and age range.

Most of our services occur on Sunday mornings and evenings, but there are other services in College, Youth and Children’s areas that also need assistance. It is our responsibility to faithfully place team members in various services so that the entire church body is served. With this stated, not every person will be

placed in the exact service they desire. Also some scheduling conflicts may arise depending on job changes, school schedules, new children etc. With these conflicts, we will do our best to reassign you to a different service but please know that this is not guaranteed.

Availability

Block out dates on Planning Center are due from all team members for the following month by the first Thursday of every month. Worship Operations sends out a monthly reminder to the team members to submit their block out dates. Please block out all unavailable dates on Planning Center by clicking “Plans”, then “Block Out Dates” on the left-hand side of the page. Failure to block out dates disrupts our scheduling processes and can cause a service to be lacking the appropriate number of musicians. Please be responsible in this area. Rotation

Redeemer Worship Ministry’s scheduling philosophy consists of rotating all musicians that have qualified at a Level 5 according to our development processes. If you have not been on a rotation on a regular basis, it was likely

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done in error. Please contact [email protected] to let the Worship Operations know of the oversight.

Confirmations

When you are scheduled for a service, an email will be automatically sent to you asking for a confirmation. Simply follow the link to accept or decline the

invitation. If you are scheduled for an event for which you cannot serve, you may decline the event by including a reason for declining. (Please note that declining invitations should not be a common occurrence because of the monthly block out dates).

Cancelling/Modifications

If an emergency or unforeseen event happens, please contact

[email protected] at least seven days prior to the service you are scheduled. If the emergency is within 24 hours of the scheduled service please

contact MacKenzie Thrasher at [email protected]. Please do not

find your own replacement unless we have asked you to do so. Also, a declining in Planning Center is not sufficient to communicate a last minute emergency. Follow the instructions above.

DRESS CODE

General Guidelines

Yes, we do have a dress code. But, no, it is not stringent or petty. We do want to emphasize that it is important though. Please take these guidelines into

consideration each time you serve on a worship team. The reason for each guideline is to not only show respect to our congregation but also to never be a distraction to those we are attempting to lead in our services. Thank you ahead of time for adhering to these principles. We do not assume that all guidelines will be applicable to all of your life, but some of them should especially when it relates to being modest and appropriateness in our clothing choices.

Men’s Dress Code

• Wear undershirts if your shirt has any possibility of being too thin/see

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• Make sure your shirt is buttoned at an appropriate place. No chest hair should be seen

• Make sure your shirt is not too tight and is an appropriate length if it is made to be untucked. If your raise your hands it should not show your stomach or undergarments

• Tight pants or skinny jeans should not reveal any body part

inappropriately

• T-shirts may be worn but need to be Redeemer made t-shirts or

completely plain t-shirts without screen print designs

• No beanies, hats or fedoras of any kind are allowed in any of our services

• No open toed shoes, flip-flops, Chaco’s or sandals

• Please iron or steam any article of clothing that requires unwrinkling

Women’s Dress Code

• If there is any movement in the chest area, cover yourself with a jacket

that will hide the movement or change your shirt

• Check to make sure the back of your pants does not come too low or

uncovers anything when you kneel down

• Ensure that nothing is revealed when you lean forward

• Show no cleavage. Please be contentious about this.

• Backless, lace-backed or low-cut back shirts need to another blouse

underneath to cover

• Tight pants or jeans should not reveal any body part inappropriately

• Sheer see through clothing should not have a revealing shirt underneath

• Leggings should have an appropriate length shirt or blouse to accompany

them

• Midriff skin should never show even when your arms are raised

• All skirts and dresses should come to the mid-knee or lower

• Women may wear open toed shoes and sandals

If you are unsure if an article of clothing is appropriate, please refer to the guidelines above. If they are questionable please choose another piece of clothing. Having to send someone home to change is something none of us want to do, but will do if it needs to be changed. Thank you all for your help in these areas!

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PREPARATION & REHEARSALS

Preparation

• Before each service you are going to help lead, come prepared

spiritually. Worship personally with all the songs on your own time. Take time to seek God before you come. This will engage your time in worship and rehearsal.

• You will find all the songs in Planning Center with chord charts, recording

examples, and possible instructional videos. Practice on your own time with these songs, memorize your parts well, and practice with a

metronome as often as you can.

• Strive to sing/play all songs exactly as posted and commit them to

memory so you will not be dependent on charts during services

• We do provide charts weekly. But please note arrangements and keys can

change at a moments notice, so be very prepared with your part in multiple keys if needed

• If a song is in a different arrangement, it will be posted and explained so

everyone will be on the same page during rehearsals

• Think through your training in our development sessions when practicing.

For example, “Am I in the same frequency range as another instrument?” or “Do I need to play during this section of the song?” or “Would this part contribute to the overall goal of the song and its purpose in our time of worship?” etc.

Rehearsals

• Be ready for rehearsal and in position before all scheduled rehearsal

times

• Be prepared to make any arrangement changes and production changes

if adjusted by the vocal, choral, or rehearsal directors. Exhibit a positive and team attitude while doing any changes

• Rehearsal is a time for to do band and vocal run-throughs. This is not a

time to learn parts for the first time. Also rehearsal is not a time to play unrelated songs or parts of other songs that is not being currently worked on by the entire band. Please be considerate and mature musicians

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• Before each rehearsal we will have a time of prayer and scripture reading. This time draws our hearts into what God has for us that day. Let it be your devotional time on the days that you serve

• Also before each rehearsal we will have a full sound check conducted by

the Worship Production Leader. Listen and complete any task that you are asked to complete. Ask questions to the Worship Production Leader about tone, volume, gain structure etc. during this sound check time only

PLATFORM PRESENCE

Body Language

• Body language, facial expression and posture are strong communication

forms. We all know how you can be saying or singing one thing and your body is saying another.

• When you are on the platform, every musician communicates expression

of worship to our congregation. If you are completely still and shoe gazing for an entire service, whether your personality is that way or not, it communicates boredom and disengagement to our church.

• Your outward expression should indicate what is happening in your heart.

We do not desire for our musicians to be insincere in any way, but there is precedence in scripture to command your soul to sing and praise God. (Psalm 42:5; 146:1-10)

• At times, a leader may ask you to adjust something pertaining to platform

presence. If you are asked please do so cheerfully. Your leaders have every intention of caring for you and the Redeemer Church body and have no intentions of singling you out or embarrassing you.

Tips for Better Platform Presence

• This may seem awkward at first, but practice in a mirror at home to help

you indicate what you look like when on stage. This can help you determine what might need to change. Appropriate facial expressions depending on the song is always the right choice when changing your demeanor.

• Do not let the level of expression from the congregation determine your

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our worship services. Most likely they need to see proper examples of expression.

• Be sincere. Worship from your heart.

• Practice well before rehearsal and you will not be as focused on your

instrument. This will free you up to express yourself

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

Children at Rehearsals

Because of the fast paced nature of our rehearsals, children are not allowed to attend our rehearsals without supervision. Also, they are not allowed on the platform at any time. It is a tall platform and can be dangerous for them. Nursing Mothers

Nursing mothers are absolutely welcome to serve with us in our services. Be sure to plan out as best as you can to nurse between rehearsals and services in our provided Cry Room.

MORAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This handbook is not all-inclusive to the personal lives of our team members, but it is a document that provides specific guidelines and communication items that need to be specifically addressed. We believe these guidelines are congruent with scripture and can be very helpful for decision making to remain above reproach in your life. If you believe these guidelines are extraneous and cannot be adhered to, please contact the Lead Worship Pastor to set up a meeting to discuss the heart behind the rules.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

• Team members shall not be involved directly or indirectly with the

unlawful use, possession, sale or transfer of drugs or narcotics in any manner. This pertains to illegal and legal over the counter drugs.

• Team members shall not bring any alcoholic beverage onto the church

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• The consumption of alcohol is not a sin according to scripture, but getting drunk is. If you are known to have engaged in drinking in excess or consistently around other believers that do, you will be asked to suspend your time of serving in Redeemer Worship Ministry until there is evidence that this is not an occurrence present in your life. Alcohol is allowed in public, but should be done with discretion and never flaunted. Please always use wisdom in these areas.

Sexual Purity

Scripture is clear that any sexual relationship outside of the covenant of Biblical marriage is strictly forbidden. This includes emotionally, physically and

spiritually. We want to uphold a very high standard of accountability on our worship teams. For clarification, here are commitments every team member must adhere to:

• Keep our eyes pure from viewing any pornographic material,

inappropriate media, movies, etc. that has the potential of appearing or being sexually impure

• All male-female relationships will glorify God and will be accountable to

those around us by:

o Not being alone in apartments or homes

o Not engaging in sexual activity that is reserved for the institution of

marriage

ACCOUNTABILITY ACTIONS

Worship team members may have their placement revoked if their actions are deemed detrimental to the ministry of Redeemer Worship Ministry and

Redeemer Church. Such disciplinary action will be carried out by the consent of our elders, pastoral staff and lead worship pastor. This will only be done in a loving, constructive manner that encourages reconciliation, restoration and healing.

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REDEEMER WORSHIP COVENANT

I, _________________________________, pledge to…

Live Out the Gospel

Being a musician at Redeemer places you in a position of remaining above reproach in your everyday life. People will recognize you, and this is a place of influence. Let this influence be for the furthering of the gospel of Jesus Christ not a push for living an immoral life. Philippians 1:27 – “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

Initial ______

Put Others Before Me

Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” This is a powerful way of living out the gospel – to put other’s needs before your own. So whether you are on the platform or out in your life, think about others first and how you can serve and encourage them.

Initial ______

Only Serve Redeemer

We never want to disconnect ourselves from the Church as a whole around the world or even in our city, but we ask that as a member of Redeemer and a musician here that you only serve as a musician at the church you are a part of. This commitment to Redeemer is also an echo of the membership covenant that you have already committed to.

Initial ______ Excellence

Your best is a reflection of the graces that God has given you. So be a good steward of those gifts and represent them well every service that you serve. We don’t ask that you be the most amazing musician ever, but to always be learning

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to play with excellence and be completely ready and rehearsed every service you are a part of. Expand what you already know and find ways to play and sing better every day.

Initial ______ Work on Humility

This is an ongoing part of our sanctification. To always be striving to live this life in a humble and quiet way. We have such a great picture of this in the person of Jesus. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” – Philippians 2:8 What a good opportunity to be able to practice this by serving our church body.

Initial ______ Be a Peacemaker

Inevitably there will be some disagreement and tension on a platform full of musicians. Being a peacemaker is a posture that we would encourage all musicians to take. This hopefully will result in unity and a better worship experience together.

Initial ______ Enjoy Serving

Serving in our worship services is a great opportunity and should be a joy! Let’s enjoy this privilege together and never take ourselves too seriously.

Initial ______

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IMPORTANT LINKS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Worship Calendar – www.planningcenteronline.com

Scheduling and operations contact – [email protected]

Worship Production Contact – [email protected]

Redeemer Worship website – www.redeemerlubbock.org/ministries/music

(This site will include all events, resources, articles, training materials and audition profile forms)

WORSHIP TEAM HANDBOOK