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When Worship Team Members Are Too Spontaneous and “Free” on Stage

Posted by on Feb 10, 2012 in Ministry Strategies, worship teams | 0 comments

Someone sent me this question the other day. How would you advise her? – Dwayne

“I have a guy I am letting vocal lead a song here and there in the Sunday set. He leads his songs pretty well…I am training him and helping him learn to do vocal cues, signal the band, sing on pitch…etc so he is slowly growing in all this. But during services–while I am leading my designated song or another person on my team is leading their song–this guy will sing “fills” or cue the next part of the song. He doesn’t stay on his vocal line or try to blend with the other vocals. The catcher is he only does this during the actual service never in rehearsal. As you can imagine sometimes this becomes confusing to the band, to my other vocals and the congregation–especially when he tries and sings a riff that goes out or tune or out of his range. (I have had complaints) It is distracting. I just feel like he is going into his own personal worship sometimes and forgetting where he is. I have not ever experienced this with my other vocal leads…there has never been a problem in communication to them …so I know there is a training issue with him and somehow I am not communicating in a way he is understanding. SO I guess my question is how can I coach him? He is somewhat sensitive like all of us can be. Have you ever experienced this and do you have any ideas or ways of communicating to him that could help me encourage and build him up but also correct and train him?” — Sarah

In a case like Sarah’s, here’s what I recommend:

1. Group teach. Use a new song you are introducing for the first time to them. Say “Ok everyone, sew-in-sew is going to sing the lead part on this new song.The rest of us are NOT the leader on this song. We are just the backups. Our job is NOT to stand out, but rather to blend in and support in the background. Thus we must sing only our rehearsed part, and we must be sure we are not as loud as the leader is. Does everyone understand why this is important?” Make sure they all acknowledge it and act as though they agree–especially  your challenging person(s).
2. Reinforce. Now that you’ve carefully explained what you need and WHY, you must reinforce that. As you rehearse, look for a time or two when you can pause and say, “for me, I’m tempted to add an extra line in right there. And I’m sure I’m going to want to sometimes during the actual services. But I can’t. And WE can’t. Why? Because that could distract and interfere with what the one leading the song feels led to do. Remember, our job is to be background vocalists.”
3. Teach the scriptural principles. There are a couple biblical principles that need to be taught and understood here. First, God is our audience. Thus, Our rehearsal times are worship services too. We shouldn’t wait until we get on stage on Sunday to “feel led” to do some add-in part.  And how we practice something is how we should do it on Sunday–as much as possible. God is able and wants to lead us in advance of Sunday as we prepare and worship in our rehearsals. Second, esteem others higher than ourselves. It’s called submission and humility to respect others and willingly fade into the background. This is being a servant to our fellow singers on stage. There can only be one leader leading any given song. And we must yield to what that leader feels led to do. Our role is to do what we rehearsed in advance, so the leader knows what to expect from us. Think about it, if you were leading a song, wouldnt you want to know for sure if someone else is going to repeat a phrase or do an obligato part? If you don’t know in advance, then you can end up confused and distracted from leading, can’t you? And so does the congregation! You might even get a little frustrated, making it hard for you to personally worship. Let’s honor those who are leading by doing the song as we rehearsed it. That will actually end up giving more opportunity of freedom to the leader to follow the Spirit himself.
4. Apply these principles to the bigger picture. Say, “During the services on Sundays, there is one main leader–besides our pastor–who is in charge of the whole music time. And between songs, that person is the default speaker and seque person. Your job is to listen and support the main leader by remaining quiet and in the background. Now, just so happen, I’m the main leader in most services–lucky for you (smile)!  That means giving me that same level of support and respect as I would you, if you were the main leader during the service.”
5. Repeat, repeat, repeat. One time will not be enough to curb this problem and get through to your challenging person(s). There are some deeper beliefs and habits inside him that took years to form about this. Thus, expect it to take some time and much prayer and patience with him. You will have to gently but firmly continue to remind him or her of what you said and why. Do it immediately. For example, the next time that person “goes off” during a service, then immediately after the service take a moment and explain why that’s not normally a good thing. Suggest that it might have better if he or she had been a bit more restrained. Be sure to it in a very positive and encouraging manner. Don’t act upset or defensive about it. Rather say, “We’re on the same team, and I so appreciate you wanting to be a team player.”
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How would you advise Sarah? What would you add or subtract from what I wrote her about it? Please leave a comment. Thanks!

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Teaching Video by Dwayne: The Four Levels of Worship Leaders

Posted by on Feb 7, 2012 in Resources, teaching | 0 comments

Dwayne Moore, author of Pure Praise: A Heart-focused Bible Study on Worship, teaches a webinar on how to grow your worship team spiritually. This is part 1 of the original webinar. In this 40 minute teaching video, Dwayne describes the four levels of effectiveness–one of which every person on your team is on.
In Part 2 (Developing Your Worship Team Spiritually), Dwayne gives four proven methods to move your worship team to the next level.

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Teaching Video by Dwayne: Developing Your Worship Team Spiritually

Posted by on Feb 7, 2012 in Resources, teaching | 0 comments

In this second part of a recorded webinar, Dwayne Moore explains how to move worship team members to a higher level of effectiveness as ministers. Dwayne gives four proven methods to bring about real change in your team. Be sure to watch “The Four Levels of Worship Leaders” to understand what a minister through music looks like.

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Worldwide Online Study of “Heaven’s Praise”!

Posted by on Feb 6, 2012 in Resources | 0 comments

You’re invited to receive praise–from the Creator Himself!

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Join the Worldwide Online Study of Heaven’s Praise!

Starts Monday, February 6, 2012
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Learn how you can hear God say “well done”! Join Christians from around the world on this exciting online adventure through this powerful 6-week Bible study by Dwayne Moore, who also authored the award-winning book, Pure Praise.
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Click here to join the online study, presented by The Worship Community.
Click here to download FREE sample lessons.

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Finding Favor with God (Audio Teaching by Dwayne Moore)

Posted by on Jan 9, 2012 in Audio Teaching | 0 comments

Are some people more special to God than others? Is possible to find special favor with God for you, your family, your job?

In this powerful and ground-breaking message, author and teacher Dwayne Moore explains how we can position ourselves to receive the awesome favor from God that is ours because we are His highly favored children.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

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FREE Webinar: “Developing Your Worship Team to Be Effective Ministers”

Posted by on Jan 3, 2012 in Resources | 0 comments

Register here for a FREE Webinar with Dwayne Moore!

Dwayne will be teaching on the important topic, “Developing Your Team to Ministers Through Music.” Dwayne has taught this same session at the National Worship Leaders Conference and other conferences and universities around the country.

In the past, people have had to pay for this popular webinar, which was included in Dwayne’s online worship leadership course.

Date: Monday, January 16

Time: 8PM-9:30PM CST

But this time you can enjoy this incredible time of training and encouragement for FREE! All you need to do is register below. Simply click here and complete the registration form at the bottom of the page. That’s it!

Once you register, we will send you the information you will need to join the webinar. To participate in the webinar, you will need a computer with an internet connection and a phone or a computer microphone. Please email us if you have any questions. See you in the webinar!

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Rick Warren on Leadership in Worship

Posted by on Dec 20, 2011 in teaching, Worship Planning | 0 comments

This is the final post of my series from Rick Warren’s teaching during our Worship Influencers’ Retreat. (See Rick Warren on Worship Leaders for more details and explanation.)

Rick Warren on Leadership in Worship

When you tell them to sing louder, you’re cheerleading them. That’s not leading. When we sing with passion, that’s what’s contagious.

Saying I love to lead worship doesn’t impress me. Do you love the people you’re leading? 100% of leadership is authenticity and modeling.

3 times Paul said “Follow me as I follow Christ.” People follow model. we always learn by example. If we can’t say “follow me” then get it together.

“More than music; we’re a family.” 100% relational. Learning to love God and others. Get that and you got it.

 

Worship and evangelism are twins. Misnomer about “seeker sensitive worship”. Lost can’t worship. worship should be understandable. Worship can be a witness.

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Rick Warren on Context of Worship (4 Things We’ll Do In Heaven)

Posted by on Dec 14, 2011 in teaching, Worship Planning | 0 comments

This is the 4th post in my on-going series from Rick Warren’s teaching at our Worship Influencers’ Retreat. (See Rick Warren on Worship Leading for more details and explanation.)

 

Rick Warren on the context of worship:

Why are we here? Why did he put us here? Life is preparation for eternity. This is pre-school before college in the next life.

Four things we’ll do in heaven:
1. Worship. Learn to worship here so I’m not a dufas. “Expressing my love to God for who he is, what he’s done and going to do in my life.”

Worship is not music; it’s a lifestyle. Silence, praying, giving–everything is worship.

No such thing as Christian music; just christian lyrics–not tune. The tune says nothing about your theology, just your background. God likes all types of music, even though we don’t. To say good music was written 200 years ago in Europe is simply racist. God loves variety–just look at us!

No church can appeal to everybody. When we first started we went from Bach to rock (like a radio station with many styles would have no listeners). A year after I started the church I passed out a servey and asked what radio station do you listen to?

Figure out who you’re going to reach and design your music to reach them. We’ve changed our style 5 times over the years.

You’re on 50% as you think you are. We have to double our energy to get it out there.

Have worship leaders go out and interact with people before the service starts. That doesn’t just warm-up the congregation; it warms up me.

2. Fellowship (1&2 are the great commandment)
3. Grow–not gonna stay the same.
4. Serve God–not sit around.

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Rick Warren on Personal Prayer Before a Worship Service

Posted by on Dec 10, 2011 in teaching, Worship Planning | 0 comments

This is the third post in my series on Rick Warren’s teaching during our Worship Influencers’ Retreat at Saddleback’s Rancho Capistrano. (See Rick Warren on Worship Leading for more details and explanation.) ~Dwayne

Rick Warren on Personal Preparations Before a Worship Service:

While I’m in my car, I start smiling. It releases endorphines that really does make us feel better. sometimes I feel like Rocky’s trainer.

We don’t do the holy huddle praying before the service. 1. should do praying before you get there. 2. spend all your time with people. Build relationships.

 

Develop pre-game ritual that sets you in the groove spiritually.

If you have four hours to work on the sermon or you, then work on you.

For 31 years driving to church I have a long memorized prayer. It includes:

1. Claim the name, blood, power, Word of Jesus.
2. Bind all demons
3. Claim the filling of the Spirit.
4. You’re the vine. I’m the branch.
5. Father, I offer my life to you today. This is your church. It’s not my church. I offer my resignation to you right now. If there’s someone who can take this church to the next level, I’ll gladly step aside. I’ll do something harder like move to a village on the other side of the world.

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Rick Warren on Training Worship Leaders

Posted by on Dec 3, 2011 in teaching, Worship Planning | 0 comments

Rick Warren and Dwayne Moore

 

This is the second post in my series from Rick Warren’s teaching at Rancho Capistrano during our Worship Influencers’ Retreat. (See Rick Warren on Worship Leading for more details and explanation.) ~Dwayne

 

Rick Warren on Training Worship Leaders:
1. Teach them to worship, not lead worship. Music is God’s gift for expressing emotion. Others will be attracted. You can’t fake humility in worship.

In spirit and truth. 3 qualifications:
1. spirit
2. truth
3. orderly fashion

1 & 2 are both authentic and accurate, doctrinal and devotional.

The way to tell if you’re congregation is worshiping. Turn the camera on them and see their faces (when they think no one is watching).

I look for someone who is a worshiper themselves.

Not charisma, it’s character. Charisma doesn’t move people. It goes back to the devotional life of the worshiper themselves.
2. Teach them how to prepare to worship.

Song has to grab me first.

Rule: If I don’t feel it, I’m not gonna teach it.

Develop pre-game ritual that sets you in the groove spiritually.

If you have four hours to work on the sermon or you, then work on you.

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