Central Christian Church

The purpose statement of the Praise Team ministry

• The Central Christian Church Praise Team exists to lead the congregation in Biblical and excellent worship that honors God, His son Jesus, and His Holy Spirit.
• * Definitions and Notations:
  • WORSHIP TEAM: This is an all-inclusive term for any member of Central Christian Church who serves in the organization and implementation of any of the worship services at Central.
  • PRAISE BAND: This group includes both instrumentalists and vocalists and is the group of members who serve in the organization and leading of the musical portion of Central's worship service.
  • PRAISE BAND PURPOSE:The Central Christian Church praise band exists to lead the congregation in Biblical and excellent musical worship which honors God, His son Jesus, and His Holy Spirit.

The Biblical basis for the Worship Ministry / Praise Team

• Worship is not just the singing of a few songs before the preacher gives a message. Nor does worship only occur when Christians gather for a Sunday service. WORSHIP IS A LIFESTYLE! Worship is giving thanks to God in all that we do. That is what Paul is talking about in Colossians 3:16,17:
  • Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
• We were all created to worship God EVERY DAY as our ultimate priority. As such, we should LIVE TO WORSHIP, AND WORSHIP SO WE CAN REALLY LIVE. This is the foundation upon which the Worship and Praise Ministry at Central Christian Church is built.
• The worship and praise band ministry will promote and encourage every attendee at Central to understand that Biblical worship connects to and impacts every area of a Christian's life.
• To help us remember that Biblical worship should impact every area of our life, we should remember The 4-H's of Worship: USING OUR HEADS FOR THINKING, OUR HEARTS FOR FEELING; OUR HANDS FOR SERVICE; AND OUR HEALTH, (IN OTHER WORDS, OUR ENTIRE BEINGS) FOR LIVING FOR JESUS, IN OUR CHURCH, OUR COMMUNITY, OUR COUNTRY, AND OUR WORLD!
1. Biblical worship and the pledging of our heads (minds) for clearer thinking
   • Jesus said the Father is seeking worshipers, but He is seeking a certain kind of worshiper - those who will worship both in Spirit and in truth. To worship in truth one must use one's mind to know the truth. John 4:23-24 says:
     • Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.
2. Biblical worship and the pledging of our hearts to godly feelings
   • Psalms 100:1-3 is filled with godly emotions that are included in Biblical worship: 'Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God.. . .'
   • God made us as emotional beings.Emotions should be a part of our worship. However, Central's worship team should never base our entire worship on our feelings or experiences. On the other hand, we make a huge mistake if we completely divorce our worship services from our emotions.
3. Biblical worship and the pledging of our hands to larger service
   • In Isaiah 6 we read about Isaiah's worship experience with God. Notice what Isaiah did after worshiping God: he went out and served Him.Our service to God should be a natural outflow from our worship to God.
   • If the worship team has led the congregation in a worship encounter with God, then everyone should be motivated to serve Him.
4. Biblical worship and the pledging of our health (lives) to better living
   • In other words, the product of Biblical worship is change.Biblical worship changes you! Richard Foster says, 'If worship does not change us, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change. If worship does not propel us into great obedience, it has not been worship.'
   • That is exactly what Paul is writing about in Romans 12:1,2:
     • Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

The philosophy of the Praise Team ministry

1. An excellent philosophy
   Since we are giving our talents to God, we should want to give Him our best.Therefore, we should all strive for excellence in musical quality.
2. A simple philosophy
   Since all of the praise band members come from different levels of talent, it is important to seek out simple worship music.This will allow many different people with various levels of abilities to participate in giving a musical offering to God.
3. A challenging philosophy
   Since Christians should always be growing and striving for improvement, so too should the praise band be willing to work hard with others to push the limit of their musical talents. We should challenge each other to develop and improve the talents and gifts which we have been given.

What an excellent, simple, but challenging philosophy!

The Praise Team Ministry Guidelines

1. Qualifications for this ministry
   1. A commitment to Christ: Each person involved in the praise and worship ministry needs to have accepted Christ as Savior, confessed belief in Him, repented of his sins, obeyed Christ in baptism, and currently be striving to live a godly life.
   2. A commitment to Central Christian Church: Each member of this ministry should have made a commitment to Central Christian Church, * and he should consider Central to be his church home.
   3. A calling from God to be part of the worship and music ministry: We want to build with people who are enthusiastic and gifted by God to serve inthe area of music and worship.
   4. A stable temperament: We do not allow fits of anger or 'creative musician' antics. We are together to serve God, not to pander to emotional insecurities.
   5. Willingness to work hard as and be consistent in their commitments: It is important to make the Worship and Music Ministry a high priority in one's life since rehearsal time is a requirement.
   6. Musical talent/commitment to excellence: We don't expect everyone to be tremendously talented, but we do expect everyone to be willing to work hardand work with others to push the limit of his musical talents.

* short term exceptions made on a case by case basis

2. Responsibilities and requirements for the worship ministry team member
   1. Individual Practice Time: It is the responsibility of the individual to practice the music on his own time. The list of songs will be available in advance.To accomplish this requirement, everyone needs to come to rehearsal having already practiced and prepared.
   2. Attendance at Weekly Rehearsal: Time and length of rehearsal will be announced in advance.If a person cannot attend any rehearsal, he is asked to allow a substitute (if one is available) to fill-in his place for that upcoming service.(NOTE: This does not mean he is off the team; he is just unable to participate for the next successive service.)
   3. Punctuality: It is extremely important to be on time for the rehearsals and sound checks. We especially do not want to be rushing around before services.Instead, we want to have time to prepare our hearts and minds for what the Holy Spirit wants to do in the service.
   4. Sunday Worship Services: Members need to be in their places at least twenty minutes before the service so that sound checks can be made and prayer time observed.On occasion, earlier appearances will be necessary.
   5. Time Requirement: Members will need to set aside about three to four hours a week for this ministry.
   6. Personal Spiritual Development: Each member is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to be involved in a Bible study group of some kind. That could be a Sunday school class, Wednesday evening program at church, or a home Bible study during the week.
3. Process for becoming a worship ministry team member
   1. Information: Pick-up and read 'Worship Team Ministry Informational Packet.'
   2. Forms: Complete the informational sheet and return to the praise band leader.
   3. Interview: Meet with the praise band leader for a personal interview when contacted.
   4. Education: Watch a fifteen-minute video sketch entitled 'Servanthood vs. Servility.'
   5. Preview of involvement: This will allow a new member to become familiar with the songs, philosophy, and style of the praise band.
   6. Trial period: For the first six months, a new member will be considered a 'temporary substitute' and will be asked to fill-in as needed.
   7. Commitment: You will be asked to make a one-year commitment as either a 'full-time substitute' or a 'full-time member.'
4. Steps of conflict resolution within the ministry team
   1. Expediency: Go to each other right away.Do not allow issues to fester over time by avoiding discussion.Do not continue to do worship ministry when relationships have not been restored.(Matthew 5:24)
   2. Confidentiality: Go to each other and to no one else.
   3. Privacy: Do not use team meetings or rehearsals to air grievances; it is helpful to have these conversations in a neutral place. Do not use jokes to send barbed messages in public. Hearing the other person's perspective might present a chance to come to an understanding.
   4. Mediation: Invite another person or two to help work things out if the situation appears irreconcilable. Agree,if possible, on a person both parties trust and respect to help mediate.
   5. Forgiveness: Forgive. Forgive again. Forgive as you have been forgiven. If a person cannot do this, it is suggested that he watch the Veggie Tales video on forgiveness and remember how much Christ has forgiven us.