Fostering a Consistent Worship Community
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…” Colossians 3:23
Over the past 15+ years of serving in some level of ministry, there have been leaders and teams I’ve served with where things just flowed like coasting downhill on a bike. Decisions came easy; we were taking ground, and it felt like every day was a new and exciting adventure! But there have also been people I have served with who were the exact opposite. Everything comes down to culture. Every action either makes or breaks your culture.
No one likes to feel like they’re doing ministry on an island. No matter the size of your church, if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing with people you enjoy doing it with, you’ll most likely feel like you're pedaling that same bike uphill. But imagine if you walked into every rehearsal and service excited to see and serve with your team. What a difference that would make!
So, how can we, as leaders, foster a genuine feeling of community on our worship teams? Here are a few ideas:
Conduct routine one-on-one connections for pastoral care, development, and trust-building. You’re missing out if the only time your team sees or hears from you is when you’re scheduling them. We must remember that those who serve on our team have so much going on in their lives apart from the instruments they play on Sundays. I have a Workflow in Planning Center People that I use to connect with everyone on my team- that way, I don’t forget anybody. That could be a text, a call, or other special gesture. Whatever it is, I want my team to know I am thinking and praying for them beyond Sunday service!
Organize gatherings to pray, worship, and receive encouragement. The goal is to focus on their spiritual well-being rather than performance or strategy. This doesn’t mean you must schedule a special prayer meeting for your worship team. It could mean structuring your rehearsals to include a time for a devotional and prayer. No idea is too small if it means that your team feels they have the support they need. My friend Timmy recently wrote an incredible article on prioritizing God’s Presence over performance in this post.
Host instrument-specific workshops. We recently hosted two workshops: one for bass and drums and another for Keys and Music Directors (MD). I’m in a multi-site situation, so it was a win to have people who play these instruments come together and learn from each other in a collaborative space. The same can happen if you partner with a local church in your area or something like that. We want our team to be so confident and comfortable with their instrument that they don’t have to focus on it during the set; we want them to focus on Jesus.
What is one thing that you can do today to help foster a consistent worship community in your context? Remember: you don’t have to change the world overnight. Every choice to make a small change for the better is a step towards a healthier team. You got this!
Father, thank You for entrusting me with my team. I want to be found as faithful in your eyes in how I steward them. Give me the wisdom to grow them in their skills as well as in their spiritual lives. Help me to stay sensitive to the tensions and felt needs of my team. We want to honor and glorify You in all we say and do. Amen.
