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On Tuesday, I had a remarkable experience at our weekly worship team rehearsal. It was a gift from the Lord, really.
At about 7:42 PM, we were on the second or third song, I had this thought:
I can't believe that I get to do this! I was genuinely grateful...to the Lord for being with us, for my team and their hearts and commitment, for the gift of music, for the ability to bless people by creating spaces where we can meet God, for being able to be "one of those leaders that gets to do this kind of thing often."
I've been doing "this kind of thing" pretty consistently for the past 1,300 weeks. (read: 25 years!) And I love it!
I've also done it long enough to have weathered the pain, frustration, anxiety, and apathy in the valley as well as the thrill, glee, the inexpressible, and LOL of the mountaintop. It's all part of a life of ministering and leading.
So how can rehearsals feel more like a highpoint and less like a lifeless ride in a hearse?
I'll tell you, but please also read about the super opportunities that are coming up for you and your team on February 10 & 11.
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Take The Hearse Out Of Your Rehearsal
Here are a few principles that I'm learning from a couple perspectives. If you're a Leader...- Get your own crap together (chord charts, arrangements, devotionals, timeliness, tuning - its ok to not be a "put together" kind of person, but at least act like one)
- Communicate your expectations (start/end time, schedule, preparation requests, attitude/character, desires to techs)
- Be in a good place (you're the same person everywhere so you have to manage your whole life or you'll be a lousy leader, or at least one lacking in integrity)
- Love loudly (express your appreciation, affirmation, and "your value to the team is..." to your teammates...especially the techs...in fact, bring food for the techs)
If you're in the Band...- Communicate with your leader (respond via PCO, email, or text when you're scheduled right away rather than waiting, and let him/her know if you're late)
- Listen to each other musically (you can't make music if you're not in a musical conversation with the rest of your team, arrive prepared enough to not have to focus 100% on what you're playing)
- Take notes (you won't remember by Sunday, and no, you're not the exception)
- Do it like you mean it (stay in touch with Who you're doing this for, with the Truth you're proclaiming in song, with why you'd give your life just to worship God)
If you're in the Booth...- Arrive early (when the band walks in the room, have everything set up and tested - you may have to ask for info from your leader)
- Make it easy (be the most attentive, proactive server in the room; watch the band's body language and signals for changes in monitor mixes)
- Make them comfortable (musicians are thinking about too many things as it is - help them get set up and hear themselves in the monitors)
- Be the "best listener in the room" (thank you Tony Guyer) (you're already fixing the problem before anybody else even notices it, you get to play the mixer as actively as the band is playing their instruments, you're always asking "how can this sound better?")
Bonus (for the rest of the congregation who are not at rehearsals)
If you're in the Pulpit...- Give the leader context to plan (scripture references and the feel of things is all the leader needs to plan)
- Be the most passionate worshiper in the room (spending time "lost in God" will likely yield better fruit than "going over your notes one more time during the music")
- Give honest feedback (nobody benefits from silence or a vague "good job" - timely, specific feedback is a sure path to help your worship leader and team grow)
If you're in the Pews...- Live a life of intimacy and discipleship (the best times of gathered worship are ones where we've all been closely following the Master all week...and we get to celebrate together!)
- Bring something to share (a worship service is a lot like a potluck, so don't be the guy that shows up week after week and just eats everyone else's casserole)
- Have grace for the team and be grateful (the team is giving their best, but they're still human - and many are artists on top of that - which mean they get weary and need to be encouraged)
Thanks for reading! And if you can, I'd love to see you at one of Grant's events on February 10 & 11. |
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WORSHIP TRAINING EVENTS
How you can get training!
A Night TO Worship - breathing room with Grant Norsworthy (Wednesday, February 10 from 7-9 PM)
Linger in songs and stories, and allow God to speak to your heart. Fellowship with like-hearted friends. These nights have always been special and refreshing. This one is held at WJTL's Junction Center. Reserve your free spot here. Here's a flyer you can share with your friends.
Worship Leaders Lunch with Grant Norsworthy (Thursday, February 11 at 12:00 noon)
Join us for a special worship leader lunch! Former SONICFLOOd and Paul Colman Trio member, Grant Norsworthy is a Dove Award winning musician and speaker on worship. He will join us for a casual discussion over lunch in the private room at Oregon Dairy.
More Than Music Workshop with Grant Norsworthy (Thursday, February 11 from 7-9 PM)
We can so easily get bogged down in what we do in The Church with music. But WHAT we do with sacred music only comes into focus as it submits to WHY we do it. Once we have clearly established WHY we play/sing/mix etc, what we do can be re-examined. sharpened and made more effective. I'd like to encourage your teams of instrumentalists, singers and techies with a fresh, yet timeless perspective of worship and give practical tips to help us facilitate worship through songs more effectively. Join us at Elizabethtown Mennonite Church and register for free here. If you want to get the word out, here's a flyer to share.
The Worship Link Spring Workshop (Saturday, March 12, 2016 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 including lunch)
This will be an outstanding morning of worship and teaching! Get this: it only costs $10 for you or $75 for your WHOLE CHURCH to attend! What a deal, no?! Manor Church will be hosting this one. Check www.theworshiplink.com for details.
The Worship Link Fall Workshop (Saturday, October 1, 2016 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 including lunch)
Stay tuned for details.
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WORSHIP LEADER GATHERINGS
How you can get connected!
Harrisburg Alliance of Worship Leaders
(Date and location TBA)Every other month, worship leaders in Harrisburg and the surrounding areas gather to enrich, educate, and encourage each other. Visit us on Facebook!.
Mean Cup Mondays (February 1 at 7:00-8:30 AM, first Monday of each month)
Coffee up with other worship leaders. Great conversations. Encouragement. Friendship. Contact Jeremy for details.
Lititz One (February 3 at noon)
On the first Wednesday of each month, worship leaders in Lititz gather for lunch and to encourage each other. Join us at noon at Beijing Szechwan. Details.Ephrata Guild (February 4 at noon)
On the first Thursday of each month, worship leaders in Ephrata gather for lunch and to encourage each other. Join us at noon at La Borimex. Details.
Strasburg Cadence (February 2 at 6:00 PM)
On the first Tuesday of each month, worship leaders in and around Strasburg gather for dinner and to encourage each other. Join us from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Bionic Rick's home. Contact Rick for details.
Reading City Worship Leaders (February 3 at 12:00 noon)
On the first Tuesday morning or Wednesday noon of every month, worship leaders in and around the Reading/Berks County area gather for breakfast or lunch. In February, it's lunch at Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant at noon. Contact Kevin for details.
Elizabethtown Cohort (February 29 at 7:00 AM)
This is a newly forming group that meets on the last day of every month at Folklore Coffee. Contact Dave for details.
Columbus, Ohio (TBA)
This is a newly forming group led by Coach Loren Miller. Email loren@adlibmusic.com for the details. If you know a leader around the Columbus area, pass it on!
The Church Collective: Philadelphia Connect Group (TBA)
This is a yet-forming group in the Philly area. Click here for details.
Women Worship Leaders Group (TBA)
There's something unique about leading worship as women. Join us each month as we support each other's journey. Contact Dave for details.
Your town! Do you want us to help you start one in your area? We're game! Just email dave@adlibmusic.com.
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BLOG
So in December 2014, when I started my role as minister of worship at Elizabethtown Mennonite Church, I started a chronicle of my process and learnings there...which have been profound and plentiful! I occasionally share some of them on my blog At Least That's How I Did It. You're welcome to follow along.
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You are receiving this email because at some point in your journey, Dave Helmuth, Ad Lib Music, or someone connected to us, helped you grow in your relationship with the LORD through worship. If you ever find this resource unhelpful, simply unsubscribe below and continue on your merry way.
Ánimo!
Dave Helmuth
In simple love and pure devotion to Jesus, we are eradicating isolation and burnout so that leaders bear much fruit!
Email: dave@adlibmusic.com
Phone - 717.468.6428
www.AdLibMusic.com
      
Ánimo: courage, refresh, transform, bring to life, encourage, inspire, intentionally cheer up,
come on, it's not far now! |
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