What is the worship like at the church?

The worship at the church could be described as accessible, honest, powerful, intimate, God-centered, Jesus-focused. The music is of solid amateur quality - something like the level of a winning college basketball team, not with paid professionals like the NBA, but not high school gym class either. While Sunday morning services are the most visible expression of the Worship Ministry, we believe that we're only as effective as our smallest link. In other words, we want worship in small group or in youth group or in children's church to be amazing, life-changing, and powerful, so that our corporate expression on Sunday mornings will also be amazing, life-changing, and powerful.

What is the culture of the WM?

The culture of the Worship Ministry is one of a community of growing worship artists. Everyone is being mentored by someone who's further along in the journey and they in turn are mentoring someone who is a few steps behind them. It's the feeling of both being and having a big brother or sister. The overall goal is to develop artists while maintaining a high level of excellence. Of course, we're not talking about perfection, but about doing the absolute best that we have to offer the Lord. Artists see themselves as "people who God has called to serve and minister with their gifts" not merely as "volunteers doing community service, helping out as they can." They are committed to serving, giving it priority in their schedule, and they show up to rehearsals prepared and give their best. They experience joy in using their gifts, knowing that being used by the Lord is the best way to invest their lives in something significant.

What is the scope of the WM?

Worship (our response to who God is, what He has done, or what He will do) is everywhere in the life of the church. While the main adult service on Sunday mornings is the most visible setting, and therefore a primary focus for the WM, we seek to be a resource to the entire worship life at the church. Youth worship includes Wednesday night youth group meetings and Sunday morning Sunday school large group worship. Children's church worship includes large group gatherings that happen concurrent with the main adult services. Small group worship includes regularly meeting small groups. Special event worship includes the church ministry events such as leaders meetings, retreats, and training events. Outreach worship includes worship outside the church's walls such as prison ministry, church outings (baptisms, picnics, etc.), and serving the regional church, where we send a team to provide worship leadership for smaller churches.

How do I find a place to serve within the WM?

Since serving in the WM comes from a calling, not just volunteering for community service, each person desiring to serve goes through a several step process beginning with an interview with the Worship Pastor and two members of the WM leadership team. After that, the process varies depending on the area of service. To serve in a regular rotation on Sunday mornings for the main adult service, the next step is to go through a musical audition. In the audition, there are many factors beyond musical talent that go into serving and placement, such as chemistry (how well what you bring fits with what we need), openings, timing, etc. That means someone could be passed up for placement on a Sunday morning team even if he/she is more advanced musically than someone else, and could be used as subs, replacements when there is an opening, or may serve in another area in the WM. For those serving in the other areas, the process is very organic and personalized. Since it's our desire to have the greatest number of called artists serving in ministry opportunities that fit them best, we will work at helping them grow as they serve.

How long do I have to commit to serve?

Though we realize that life by its very nature is unpredictable, we ask that you commit to serve for 9 months after a 3 month trial period, for a total of a one year term for Sunday morning teams. At the end of the 3 month trial period, either the Worship Pastor or the artist can opt out of finishing the term, no harm, no foul. If a match in that ministry opportunity isn't found, we'll find a better fit within the WM or help you discern where else at the church you're best suited to serve.

What happens once I'm serving?

As an artist you're either growing or plateaued - and being plateaued is neither God-honoring nor fun! Part of the culture in the WM is described by the truth that excellence is a moving target, so if you are serving, you will occasionally be evaluated, not auditioned, to help you reach the goals of your Artist Growth Plan. This evaluation process is something that's very low key and likely happens without you even knowing it! The goal is for you to be in an environment where you're being a good steward of the gift of God that is within you - it's our way of stirring it up! Also, we'll work with you to hook up with a mentor so someone will always be pouring into your artistry. Then, as you are comfortable doing this, you'll be given someone to casually mentor - you only have to be one step ahead of someone to help them get to where you are.

What should I do next?