worship.com

Mark Hall on Pure Praise Worship Study

Mark Hall of Casting Crowns talks about Dwayne Moore's worship study, Pure Praise.

Pure Praise is ideal for small groups and worship teams and contains endorsements by Darlene Zschech (Hillsong), Mark Hall (Casting Crowns), Julie Reid (Worship Leader Magazine), Rick Muchow (Saddleback), Charles Billingsley (Thomas Road), David Edwards (The Worshiper Magazine), Dr. Vernon Whaley (Liberty University), Josh Riley (Worship.com), and others.

Worship Leading Essentials PDF

Wow.  I have received some great feedback on the worship leading essentials articles.  For our convenience, Shawn has set them up as a  PDF here.

If you would be interested in a fully expanded audio version (available on CD or mp3), please let me know. I am considering putting this together if there is enough interest.

photo by Gaetan Lee

Scot Longyear at Resonate

Managing worship team conflicts

When we talk about our worship teams we often talk about the tough things we go through as worship leaders. Atop the list would be the inevitable... "Conflict Management" .
If there is one thing that I dislike about my ministry as a worship pastor, it is dealing with interpersonal conflict within my teams. I try to avoid it like the plague. But the truth is that we can never lead if we never have a Biblical view of conflict as well as a Biblical perspective enabling us to see the bigger picture.
I recently received an email from a team member invoking conflict. It was one of a few emails that made me so mad I had to go straight to my Bible and begin to read.
So I opened up to the book of Proverbs. I was immediately bombarded with verses telling me things like pride leads to deeper conflict and that a wise man seeks out the advise of other leaders. So over the last few days that is exactly what I have had to focus on.
My nature says I have been wronged, but my Savior says I am not the judge. My flesh wants to passionately defend my honor, the living Spirit within me tells me to love unconditionally.
Even now as I write, these things have not been completely worked out with this individual. But we are working through things. Why? Not because it is my spiritual duty as a worship pastor, but because it is my responsibility as a Christian.
I wish I could tell you that handling conflict gets easier. It doesn't. I wish that I could tell you that once you are in the game a little bit longer it will not sting quite as much. It will. The truth of the matter is that handling conflict is the hardest thing I do as a worship pastor. It can steal my energy, my time, my emotion, and my passion. But restoring unity is that important.
As long as there are worship teams and worship bands, there will be conflict. Before handling conflict do these three things. Pray, seek advice from other leaders and humble yourself. It will never be easy but it is something we all must learn to address.

Worship Leading Essential Articles

Here is an overview of the Worship Leading Essential Series from Scot Longyear at resonate:

1. Setting the Base
2. Letting Go
3. Teamwork
4. Putting Together a Song List
5. Spiritual Leadership
6. Skill or Spiritual Maturity?
7. Selecting Musicians
8. Song Transitions
9. Band Conflict
10. Dealing with Criticism
11. Setting Monitors
12. Stage Presence
13. The Art of Invisibility
14. Leading Rehearsals
15. Band or Rotating Musicians?
16. Going from Band to Pool
17. Limit the Gear
18. Rest
19. Life Long Learner
20. It's Not About the Music

Copyright 2007, Scot Longyear at resonate

Worship Leading Essentials

We have wrapped up the Worship Leading Essentials Series.  Here is an overview of the articles:

1. Setting the Base
2. Letting Go
3. Teamwork
4. Putting Together a Song List
5. Spiritual Leadership
6. Skill or Spiritual Maturity?
7. Selecting Musicians
8. Song Transitions
9. Band Conflict
10. Dealing with Criticism
11. Setting Monitors
12. Stage Presence
13. The Art of Invisibility
14. Leading Rehearsals
15. Band or Rotating Musicians?
16. Going from Band to Pool
17. Limit the Gear
18. Rest
19. Life Long Learner
20. It's Not About the Music

Copyright 2007, Scot Longyear at Worshipplus

Worship Leading Essentials #20 - It's Not About the Music

In this article we wrap up the Worship Leading Essentials series. 

A moment of silence please.

Thank you.

In Worship Leading Essentials #1, we talked about setting the base.  In this final article, we book-end the whole deal by realizing that it is really not about the music. Take this one to the bank. Music is an expression, a powerful artform, a beautiful medium, even a shaper of history. But don't make a god of it.

When someone says "We are a worshipping church with a great worship time," they are off base. When they say "We are all about a rocking worship time," they don't get it. They are off mission and it is just a matter of time before the whole deal falls apart. Musical worship is not the focus of the church. It is a tool, an expression. Anything more and it is idolatry. There are plenty of churches who idolize their worship. Don't be one of them. If you are in this mess, do yourself a favor and get out for a season and reconnect with the God you sing about.

God doesn't give a rip about a drum kit, bass rig, K-2's, footpedals, or turntable. He wants to make sure that you are on the mission of seeking and saving the lost. He wants to make sure you are living in community to such a level that others are drawn to the kingdom. He wants to make sure you are connecting with the people he died for.

If you are living centered around music you are slowly dying. If your experience in following Christ is only in your music, you have it all wrong.

Worship is an anthem of the lives lived in complete abandon to this beautiful savior. Go passionately follow a Christ who is worth wrapping your life around. Live in such a way that your songs become an expression of the life that you live. And watch the kingdom explode.

Love.  Live.  Rock.

Copyright 2007, Scot Longyear at Worshipplus.

For more great pictures like the one above (and a sweet blog) check out Josh at The Longbreak.

Worship Leading Essentials #19 - Life Long Learner

I remember graduating from Lincoln Christian College and taking my first church. I was ready to make a mark on the world. Totally clueless. I thought I knew everything. I was ready to make a contribution to the kingdom and knew that I knew everything I needed to know (say that 3 times fast).

It didn't take long before I realized that I needed more input on how to move the kingdom along. From that first ministry I have made it a point to never feel like I knew it all.

Here are some of the realized benefits from being a life-long learner:

1. Keeps us out of the ruts. We have a tendency to do things the same way, over and over. Left to ourselves we will repeat this pattern until boredom or ineffectiveness sets in. We need outside influence to give us fresh perspectives and motivations.
2. Networking. People in ministry are not in competition. We are on the same team. Some other people in ministry have what you need, and you have what they need. I have learned a ton from people who have allowed me to network with them. I am always looking to learn more, especially from guys in the trenches. Maybe that it why I dig the whole blog scene so much.
3. Makes us critical thinkers who operate fully awake. With no outside stimuli, the mind sometimes goes to autopilot. With no one to challenge us, there is no fight or flight response, just a "do the same thing because it is working and I have a nice routine" response. Sometimes we need to be challenged to think critically about why and how we do what we do. Some of the best learning times for me have been in research or observations or discussions with people who go against what I am doing. They don't agree with the way I do things, let alone the reason behind them. No matter. I embrace them. They make me defend what I am doing or change. Either way, it is a win for me.
4. Keeps us up on culture. My dream is that the church would reverse itself. History has pointed out that the church at one point led the culture. Today it is other way around. Many churches figured out the culture the best they could, built kingdom movements around that, and then stopped learning. Some churches had booming ministries in the 1950's. It's not 1950 anymore. When we bury our heads in the sand and stop learning, culture shifts and we are left wondering what happened. I see some hope and some movement in all this, whish is greatly encouraging. Understand the times, my friend, because soon we will be leading them.

I once read where Bill Hybels said something like "Never apologize for being a learner ."  I dig Bill.

I do all I can to learn. I read (slowly :>), I observe, discuss, scan blogs, watch, critique, question myself, question our ministry, pace myself, and travel extensively. For all of those, I make no apology.

What about you?  What are you doing to be a life-long learner?

Copyright 2007 Scot Longyear at Worshipplus

For more great pictures like the one above, check out TT's photos.

Worship Leading Essentials #18 - Rest

For the past few years I have trained for the Indianapolis Mini Marathon (13.1 miles). The training starts in January and goes up to race day; early May. Each week I am on a schedule of running and cross training. An interesting thing is also included in the regiment: rest. My wife comes home and I'm laying on the couch, catching up on some TV time and resting. The most strenuous activity at the time is pushing the remote buttons.

"What are you doing?" She asks. 

"Pretty obvious, isn't it?  I'm training for a half-marathon."

As a worship leader (or a breathing human being), you need rest. It must be part of your routine. I have a tendency to run hard and not rest like I should. Here is what I find happens when I don't take time to rest:

1. Criticism is more painful. When the criticism comes, it stings harder when we are tired. We don't have the mental energy to push through the conflict so our first response is to fold.
2. Focus is off.  When we are tired, it is difficult to maintain focus.  Our game suffers.
3. Irritability.  Enough said.
4. Prone to sickness. Run without enough sleep and your body's immune system weakens. Think you don't have time to rest? You will think different when you are sick next week.
5. Creativity is lowered.  When the brain moves slower, there is not the synaptic firing that we need to keep pushing the creative boundaries.
6. Spiritual defenses are down. We are more prone to temptation when we are tired. We don't have the energy to follow through. This can be incredibly dangerous.
7. Life is not enjoyed.  Ever heard anyone say that they are exhausted but totally loving life?  Doubtful.

Rest for you may mean more sleep. It may mean more playing. It may mean having some time that is just your own. Figure out what it is and schedule it. Guard it and do it.

One final suggestion: Sleep in the night before. Some studies suggest that we get better quality sleep before midnight. Some also suggest that every hour of sleep before midnight is worth two hours after midnight. When your pals ask what you are doing going to bed at 9:30 PM, just tell them you are sleeping in.

May your rest be renewing in such a way that you lead from a point of renewed energy and focus.

Copyright 2007 Scot Longyear at Worshipplus

For more great photos like the one above, check out Wigglets' photos.

Worship Leading Essentials 7 - Selecting Musicians

As a follow up to the last article, let's explore the selection process of musicians we use at exchange. Instead of using set bands, we have around 25 musicians and vocalists that we call the "musician's pool." Each week we draw from this pool and create a new band. The pool needs filled.

Somewhere along the way you have to settle on a process for selecting musicians. Get it lined out or when someone asks you if they can play in the band you will be stuck with the uncomfortable "Um, well, I, uh . . .hmmmm." So, how do you screen and select musicians for the worship team? Here is what we do:

1. Have people e-mail requesting an audition packet. When people walk up and inquire about being in the band, I explain the process and have them e-mail me requesting an audition/interview packet. It's the first step in a few hoops that we intentionally set up. Setting up a few simple obstacles weeds out those who are not serious. If you can't take a few steps and be patient with the process, you won't fit well in the musician's pool.
2. Send an audition packet. Once people contact me, I send them a packet that contains a cover letter as well as an audition form. Once they fill out and return the form, we move on to step three. If you would like a sample form and cover letter, just drop me an e-mail.
3. Schedule the audition.  Once the paperwork is turned in, I schedule the interview.  Typically this is on a Sunday afternoon, prior to band rehearsal.
4. Audition. This is the most important part of the process. I sit down with our vocal leader (Jeff) and together we conduct the audition. It is an informal deal, but I am looking for two things: to get to know them (1) spiritually and (2)musically. We talk openly about their relationship with Christ, their spiritual journey, musical experience, and life experience. It is also a time that we answer any questions that they have. Jeff also explains the process and workings of the musician's pool and scheduling.
5. The verdict.
6. If no, we tell them they have little skill and should stick to playing at home or singing in the shower. We then scold them for wasting our time. If we make them cry, it's a bonus. Actually we rarely say "no," but we do say "not yet." It is a tough arena to play with a band and some people are not ready. If they are not ready spiritually, we encourage them to be part of the exchange community for a bit longer and continue their journey with Christ. If they are not ready musically, we encourage them to get some lessons, improve their skills and come back for another audition when they feel they are ready.
7. If yes, we invite the person to be part of a worship band for a worship gathering. When we began this process, we would give them a yes and they would be part of the pool. Experience has taught us that a person may do well in an audition but not be at the level needed to play with a band. The sure-fire way to find that out is to put them with a band for a night of worship leading. Put them in the fire and see how they do. After their first time with the band, we again talk and decide if the person will become part of the pool on a regular basis.

With everyone we interview, we explain that leading worship is a spiritual and musical issue. We lay out the expectations. We expect each team member to be a follower of Jesus, to Life Journal every day, practice their instrument, be honest, and to be a team player.

I feel fortunate that in several years of working with a musician's pool, we have not had any significant issues. The success may be in part to this process, but I would guess it is that this whole thing is surrounded by prayer, honesty, and the grace of God.

There are numerous ways to screen and audition people for your worship team.  What is your process?

Worship Leading Essentials #2 - Letting Go

At last count, there was at least 25 things blasting through my mind as I led worship. Is my guitar in tune? How is the tempo? Is everyone participating? Is that guy picking his nose? Sounds like the keys missed a note. Are the vocals loud enough? What is the next song? I think I forgot the transition coming up . . . . The list never ends. Let your mind run away and you can fry yourself on the matrix of details, resulting in a less than adequate worship leading experience.

So the real question is: How do you deal with all the details and actually worship while you are leading?