Lawrence Wesleyan Church

Worship Team Handbook For Vocalists, Musicians, and Media Fellowship Community Church Worship Team Handbook

As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we are drawn more and more to praise God by using the talents he has given us. The following information has been put together with those whom Christ has gifted in the area of music in mind. If you are reading this, then you have shown interest in being a part of the FCC’s worship team. Please read the following information and prayerfully consider whether or not this is still the area in which you would like to serve. If so, please fill out the attached application and return to Heather Bellinni. (Please note that applicants must have attended FCC for at least 3 months before being considered for the worship team.) Applications are always accepted but auditions only happen every 6 – 8 months or when there is a specific need. Once your application has been received, you will receive a response within 2 weeks. Should your application be accepted, a personal interview and an audition date will be scheduled. Throughout this process, please understand that worship team members are selected based on several criteria including need, ability, and style. Should you not be selected, please understand that this does not mean you are not a gifted singer or musician. Our goal is not to seek the most talented, but to identify the specific people that God wants participating in the ministry of FCC in this specific arena.

Purpose The purpose of our worship team is to help those who attend FCC to connect with God by freely expressing our hearts to Him as we lead authentic and intimate worship. We will do this through a blend of contemporary worship songs from a variety of genres.

Ministry Principles

Lifestyle As a member of the worship team, it is important that you have a growing walk with Christ. Realizing each person is at a different point in their spiritual life, we all are called to become more like Christ each day and to “grow up” in the things of Christ. As members of the worship team, we must uphold high standards in all areas of our lives, because we serve in a very “high profile” ministry.

Personal Worship It is very difficult to worship corporately if we haven’t first worshipped privately. You are encouraged to spend time during the week in personal worship. A daily time of reading God’s word is highly important for you to be a great worship leader.

Rehearsal Attendance We must be accountable to each other regarding rehearsals. As a member of the FCC worship team, you are expected to be at all rehearsals when you are scheduled to do so. Depending on the situation, should you not be able to attend practice, you will not be able to participate as part of the Sunday AM worship team. Realizing that situations will arise that will keep you away; we simply ask that you contact the worship leader for that week so other arrangements can be made as soon as possible. Should practice be within two days, please contact the appropriate worship leader by phone. Heather Bellinni- (813) 344-9272; Jenn Broughton- (812) 718-5576; Scott Clark- (813) 270-3406. When time allows, you may e-mail Heather Bellinni at [email protected], or through the PCO messaging service.

Worship Service Attendance Understanding that situations do arise that could keep you from serving on a particular Sunday, if there is a Sunday you know you will be gone or unable to serve, please let us know before the schedule is made by blocking out dates on PCO. Even when you are not scheduled to be part of the worship team, it is vitally important that you make church attendance a priority. Before we worship with our talents, we must first worship Christ with our lives.

Musical Ability – Instrumental It is not required that you be able to read music, but you must be able to play songs from a chord sheet. Most music we play comes directly from a chord sheet provided by the worship leader. When available, written music may be provided as well as an audio sample on PCO. Instrumentalists should be able to play a variety of music styles. Most new songs are learned in 1 week. It is not required that you bring your own instrument, but you may if you like. The church owns drums, keyboard, a bass guitar, and an acoustic guitar. Members of the worship team may use these instruments for church functions. In the case of the drums and keyboard, it’s desired that ours be played for Sunday AM worship.

Musical Ability – Vocal It is not required that you read music but you must be able to hear and sing a harmony part. Most music will come in the form of a chord sheet, but written music and an audio sample will be provided when available, all through PCO. It is required that vocalists be able to sing a variety of styles. Most new songs are learned in 1 week.

Cooperation This is an important aspect of leadership. You should be able to support, follow, and trust the leadership of this church and this ministry. Part of being a team player means that if you ever come to a point of “mistrust” or have a question about a decision or action, you should take it to the leadership of that ministry. This doesn’t mean that you should always agree with every decision that is made. However, the important thing is how you handle your disagreement. Discussing it with other members is never a good thing, and it ultimately hurts the entire group when handled in this way. The best thing to do is always bring any issue of disagreement to the worship leader.

Commitment To Excellence The definition of excellence is “doing the very best you can with what you have.” This is what we are committed to do. While we are not seeking perfection, we are committed to excellence. This commitment will affect the way we rehearse, lead, serve, love, and live! As a member of this ministry, you should be committed to excellence!

Rehearsal Times Most rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 PM. Although it is not preferred, some practices may be scheduled on Sunday morning from 7:15 AM – 8:45 AM. Again, all rehearsals for which you are scheduled are required. Please be on time. When rehearsal occurs on Wednesday evening, there will be an 8:15 AM, Sunday morning sound check for all members of the worship team participating that week.

Service Times Service times are currently 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM. Usually the worship team is first in the order of worship so please be at your places ready to start with 1 minute to spare.

Dress The most important thing to remember about your dress is that we do not want to be a hindrance to anyone. We will not dictate what you should wear, but please think of others who may not know your heart.

Sound and Media For those who may be interested in running sound or media… All of the above information is applicable. Just as one is gifted in the ability to play an instrument or sing, we believe God has prepared a place for some in our sound and media ministry. To present our media, we currently use a program called Pro Presenter. One does not need to have experience with this program, but they must be willing to learn and have some basic skills in operating a computer (e.g., familiarity with MS Windows). To run sound, no past experience is required, but one must have an ear for mixing musical instruments and vocals. There are many aspects to mixing the worship sounds and much equipment is used. One must have the ability to focus on several things at one time if they are interested in operating the sound system.

Scheduling and Service Order Communications We are currently using an online program called Planning Center Online (PCO) to put our service orders together, communicate song pdf.’s and, if necessary, audio files of those songs to our team members who are playing/singing in any particular week’s services. We are asking that you, upon acceptance and entrance into this ministry, fill out the appropriate profile page when given the email for PCO. This is going to be the only way we communicate what songs are being sung/played for any week’s services. So we ask that you respond promptly to invitations, check the service order at least 1 day in advance of practices and stay current with what is happening for each week you are participating. Fellowship Community Church Worship Team Application and Agreement

Contact Information: Please print clearly and fill out the following...

Name:______

Address:______

City:______Zip:______

Home Phone: (___) ______Work Phone:(___)______

Cell Phone: (____) ______

Email:______

Please check all that apply...

 I have received Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. When? ______

Please explain your current relationship with Christ: ______

 I am an active member of the Fellowship Community Church. How long? ______

Abilities: I desire to use my gifts on the FCC worship team as a (check all that apply)

Vocalist: Soprano Alto Tenor Baritone Bass

I sing the main part of songs (melody) Always Sometimes Never

I sing alternate parts of songs (harmony) Always Sometimes Never

Musician: Keyboard Guitar Bass Drums Other:______

Technician: Sound Media Other:______In regards to my singing or playing, my strengths and weaknesses are: ______

Please tell us of any past musical experience you may have had. (Ex. Band, Church Worship Band, Orchestra, oversaw sound at another church, etc.) ______

Music Reading: I have the ability to play or sing (check all that apply)

Using sheet music Using chord sheets By listening (I play or sing by ear)

Material Preference: When learning a new song, I would choose (check all that apply)

Sheet music Chord/lead sheet A recording of the song

Style Experience: I have experience with the following styles of Christian music...

Traditional hymns & choruses Southern gospel Other: ______

Contemporary praise & worship (Hosanna, Integrity, Maranatha, Hillsong, etc.)

New generation worship (Worship Together, Passion, Martin Smith, etc.)

Style Preference: I prefer the following styles of Christian music...

Traditional hymns & choruses Southern gospel Other: ______

Contemporary praise & worship (Hosanna, Integrity, Maranatha. Hillsongs, etc.)

New generation worship (Worship Together, Passion, Martin Smith, etc.)

Radio stations, worship leaders, and artists I listen to are... ______Worship Team Agreement: If you have any questions regarding the Worship Team Handbook or the application process, please discuss them with the Heather Bellinni or Pastor Derek Atkinson. Otherwise, please read and sign below regarding the following statement...

I have read through the Worship Team Handbook and I understand that, if I am selected, my participation in the Worship Ministry at Fellowship Community Church implies that I have considered and meet the qualifications for Worship Team Members as outlined in the Handbook. It further implies that I agree to abide by the ongoing guidelines for Worship Team members as outlined in the handbook.

Signature: ______Date: ______