This video is just a 3 minute snapshot of behind the scenes with the worship team at Sunridge Community Church.

For a related post, read Jeremy’ blog about doing ProPresenter today.

Recap: It was nice to be back in the saddle after a weekend off the previous Sunday. I love this team! We had to deal with rehearsal being canceled due to a brush fire near our building that caused us to be evacuated and the holiday weekend. The powerhouse nature of our music team, video, lighting and audio people allowed our services to come off relatively smoothly given our challenges. We even had to strike the stage and it was done within 25 minutes! Did I say I love this team already?

Our set included a response songs to Britt’s message “May the Words of My Mouth” which was a good change. I “officiated” the communion time and did better the second service. Don’t we all do better second service?

Set List:

• All To You – Lincoln Brewster
• Because of Your Love – Paul Baloche
• Beautiful the Blood – Steve Fee
• Came to My Rescue – United Hillsongs
• May the Words of My Mouth – Tim Hughes

Links:

• Britt Sipe’s sermon on video
• Fred’s blog with set lists for worship from all over

How was your worship weekend? I sure would love to hear from you and any thoughts about our worship service shown on the above video.

I love our worship team at Sunridge Church! This rare behind the scenes footage shows how much fun we really have each week! These are servants who put in hours and dedicate much so that hundreds can worship. The funniest thing is the last words on the on the tape…don’t miss that.

As a member of the typical worship team, singers often rely on the gear presented to them by the situation. I have served in church plants in school cafeterias and in new worship houses that seat over 2,000. Either way, the issue of gear for any musician is important. One thing I have learned: If something sounds cheap, it probably is.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE…

Recap: This past Sunday we did a version of the “cardboard testimonies” with our own twist on it.  We asked members in the congregation to come and share how people in the church showed love to them.  Dozens came and participated, parading their handmade signs with things like, “Let us use their car” or “Supported me during my battle with cancer.”  It was a moving point in Greg’s sermon about how we are called to love each other and how that is a powerful thing for people to see who peer into the church.  Greg said, “How can anyone not want to be part of something like this” as he appealed to those investigating Christianity.

Setlist: Our songs this week.

• God of This City – Aaron Boyd, Richard Bleakley, Ian Jordan, Andrew McCann, Peter Kernaghan, Peter Comfort
• Today is The Day – Lincoln Brewster, Paul Baloche
• Our God Saves – Brenton Brown, Paul Baloche
• Give Love Away – Travis Doucette

How was your worship weekend?

I love the knobs on these pedals.  Each device colors sound.  Boutique amps with tubes and well-chosen guitars to get that “tone” require a passion that if you are not a guitar player you might not relate to.  However, you should.  As a keyboardist and vocalists, do I put the same passion in my instrument?  Do I invest money, time and energy into my craft?  Really, this is a good question.

Often times it is hard to get vocalists to rehearse their parts, or invest in equipment.  Granted, most instrumentalists, regardless of instrument, have had to invest years and many dollars in lessons and gear to get to where they are at today.  Some vocalists seem to sing naturally and like the center stage without the knowledge of building a craft.  Now, I am a vocalist.  I have invested years in training and have learned piano, guitar and theory and studied at a music trade school.  I am not here to pick on vocalists, but we are an easy target. 

Here are some things for all worship team people to consider:

• Investing in gear is appropriate. Especially when we are talking about sounds that relate and move people in today’s culture.  Singers might want to invest in a mic or in wireless in-ear monitors, which combined would not be nearly the cost of a decent guitar and amp.
• Investing in skill is the part of any call to ministry. (Psalm 33:3) Taking lessons or keeping your skills sharp are important for any worship team member.  What steps have you taken or can you take to improve your skill?
• Compare your craft to the pros, not your current worship team. What I mean here is that we need to aim higher than ourselves.  What artists out there are leading the way?  Do we take the same passion a performer has to the act of leading worship?
• You may have the passion, but not the skill or talent. I believe it when people want to join my worship team and state that they have a passion for worship.  But, not all have the gifting to actually lead people in that passion.  Sometimes a passion for worship does not translate into being able to lead worship.
• The Worship Team is not for everyone, even if music is for everyone. The point is that music should be played by everyone.  But, not in public!  So, dust off your guitar, but if you cannot be effective with it in a public setting do not fret.  You are not entitled to be up front.  No one is, actually.  Why should we make people suffer due to our lack of skill in our church services.

What are your thoughts?  Did I miss any points here?