Paul Baloche - my worship team won't practice

[livinworship1]

I have always had problems with my teams not practicing. I have heard from some of their spouces that they think they don't need practice. This always leads to acceptable worship. I was speaking with my pastor about it and he said, " they are all volunteers". Well, I say no they are not. They have been appointed or called to this by our Lord. I give no less than all I have to worship and I expect the same from my teams. Play skillfully to the Lord, I agree. What are you willing to give up?

[christianmetalpwns]

@ddtxz771 well my church doesnt have the enough funds to even pay for a new bass amp but i still play for The Lord. my music director has basic musical knowledge and a very arrogant and demanding attitude. But I still rejoice and play for The Lord because thats all that matters :D

[Naomi3107]

Now that is called excellence....skill is so important...I wonder how King David in this time and season would say of our worship teams today....we have alot to live upto...God help us

[rhoniimeade]

Amen. we must be skillful singers and players.

[rhoniimeade]

I believe this totally! we should be skill full singers and players unto the Lord. also allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us and use us, allowing, him to let others lead in songs best suited for their range of vocals, not everything one sided. Thank you so much for this advice.!!! God bless you for your teaching ..

[rhoniimeade]

I believe this totally! we should be skill full singers and players unto the Lord. also allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us and use us, allowing, him to let others lead in songs best suited for their range of vocals, not everything one sided. Thank you so much for this advice.!!!

[rhoniimeade]

I believe this totally! we should be skill full singers and players unto the Lord. also allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us and use us, allowing, him to let others lead in songs best suited for their range of vocals, not everything one sided.

[JustInPlug]

Good vid about motivation! Speaking for myself I was asked about a year ago to join the worship team. I then was 14(now I'm 15) and I had no band expoerience but our worship band gave me an oppurtunity to get to play in the band and tah really boosted my motivation and als my skills. I think it's good for worship bands to give young musicians a chance to get some experience and to be in a band. It really helps them with their skills.

God Bless

[wcr4]

Who's the bass player?

[blanchard25]

If you can't modivate a musician to play they need to sit in the congrigation and worship if you can't practice and learn the music you can't worship effectively, you just end up reading and playing music.

[xvirg]

our praise band would keep relearning the same songs every practice because they never did their homework. My frustration finally bubbled up after 18 months. They asked for my resignation today and got it. When you can't even get through the invitation without messing up, I can't have any part of it. Jesus threw out the money changers for cheating the people. That's what this band is doing. I felt like overturning the amps. Adults shouldn't need motivation.

[chabod66]

october267, the best thing to do is first get out the individualism out of people's mind- they dont have to show off their individual skills, they only have to make sure the team(and not the person) produces the best. Secondly, emphasise practising together and sharpenig the teamwork. Hope this advice does it?

[october267]

I'm the keyboardist at my church! my team do play skillfully individually but it doesn't synchronize when all the instrument play together.(anyone got advise for me?) by the way your eyes are sparkling!

[foreverJAM07]

Awesome! Yes, I think practice (keep on practicing) is one of the key to succeed. Also, I agree that we should take care of our body. I like the idea on practice for hours and workout too. I think if our whole being focuses on God's will and prayer, then we can practice willingly and make sure that we are in good health to serve our Lord wholeheartedly. :)

[densdoor]

Whew! breaktime yet. Haha just kidding.

[cramnoj]

fire them lol

[SYLMONFREY]

great teaching, just simple and accesible to anybody... yes we need to pratice and serve God with you best music...

[bassguitarman1959]

Yes, as a bass player as well as a guitarist I can say with utmost certainty that as the rythem section of any band if the bass and drums are not absolutely solid in the pocket, the rest of the band will suffer greatly. Syncronization is not only for swimming!

[nakedlungfish]

Drums and Bass are the most important instruments in "Band" Worship period! They can make or break the whole sound.

[tornmask]

@nakedlungfish - true "EXCELLENT" comment!..my moto is...Bassplayers & Drummers never get divorce they hold the key to every rhythm section after "JESUS"!

[bassguitarman1959]

I am a bass player "by trade" that just recently moved into the lead guitar position on my worship team. I hear people say all the time "We aren't professional. So? Play SKILLFULY on the instruments. Give your absolute best to Him who entrusted you with your craft! PRACTICE!

[newlifemedia]

Hmmm....do I feel convicted or what?!

[reggaesoundsystem311]

I am drummer who recently quit a worship team because the worship leader S.A.M.I. (Self Appointed Mister Important) is in love with himself and his guitar. We drummers are tired of SAMI guitarists! Nobody gives a crap about stupid guitars. Oh, and while I'm at it, ELECTRIC DRUMS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!! have a nice day!

[6Air5Guitarist0]

I'm a guitar player, and I have to say. That drummers do not receive enough credit. And especially in a worship band, you have to have a balance of ALL instruments. Including GUITAR!!! lol

[6Air5Guitarist0]

I love our band drummer his on vacation and well... we miss him and we suck without him holding that beat. So remember to thank your drummer if you have one. Reggaesoundsystem311 pray about your current situation, and that God would give you grace and patience. Also a new opportunity to play for Him. And yes ELECTRIC DRUMS DO SUCK. So do acoustic drums if your in a small building and you have no cage, GET A CAGE!!!

[iplagitr]

We all have to make compromises when leading worship. Sometimes it's dealing with a less-than-perfect band member or lowering expectations of our instruments due to limitations of the church building or sound system. I can say one thing from 16 yrs experience leading worship - it requires a seriously sacrificial attitude from everyone, (including both drummers & guitarists). We all need to pray for a servant heart and spirit. It doesn't work any other way. Please pray for a change of heart.

[WILDER30]

bendiciones exelente

[goldensleeves]

Who is this invisible man people keep talking about. Oh well, I guess I'll just keep going to church so I can be accepted and respected by my peers, my family, and my community. Maybe I'll practice with a worship team so people will think I'm really in favor of this invisible man. I hope the invisible man doesn't disaprove of how well I play. On the other hand, I've heard this invisible man is perfect so I guess it will never be good enough anyway. Oh well, maybe I can impress my peers.

[bigbueno2]

ya man, he is perfect. and he doesnt disaprove of how well you play, thats why its so beautiful. dont play to impress, dont go to be accepted, he wants you to question, he wants you you to find your own answers, and when you dont find them, cuz you wont, he will show you, the invisible man will become visible, to you, to all of you, let him, please

[telesrme]

"Gifting" is important but not as much as having a heart to share your relationship to Christ with your congregation. Showing the church your love and joy and thanks to your God. Also, with time so valuable and hard to come by, it is sooooo important to be prepared when you actually get time to get together as a group. Knowing your parts, knowing what the worship leader expects from you, being as skilled as you can be at that moment, etc is crucial to the groups success in leadership.

[cminor131]

I think gifting is absolutely required. I find it ironic how in church we often accept average worship teams where we would never accept the same standard from any other 'front of house' ministry area. We wouldn't have preachers that are really bad at what they do, nor teachers, nor prophets, yet in worship teams it suddenly becomes 'all about the heart'. I don't think God would call someone to sing or play and not give them that abilty. They may need to develop, but the potential must be there!

[bigbueno2]

because woship is all about the heart, give it what you got, he wants to hear YOUR worship, YOUR personal devotion, detitcation to him, your all to him. he wants YOU, not only wat your good at.

[DarthAges]

To be skillful is important, but not the most important. Worship teams with people with a heart chasing after the Lord are a great blessing, but it is difficult when the vocalists aren't good, the instrumentalists are still newbs (and so on), to worship

Skill with heart is necessary. We can work on skills, but it is the Lord who works with our hearts. So we have to practice and pray all the time. That's probably an open secret for all worship leaders

[secondsun24]

@cminor131 I certainly agree with you.

However, sometimes the desire comes before the ability. In the musical arena, it is always *possible* to achieve a level of proficiency WITH ENOUGH PROPER PRACTICE. The issue that I see as being bigger in the church than just poor musicianship is that of a poor drive to do what it takes to get better at it!

Sure, one might not be the best singer today, but if they take voice lessons and take singing seriously they will eventually improve enough. Cheers!

[jemsar2]

@cminor131 I agree very much. God deserves the very best. We (as the congregation) deserve it as well. As a semi-pro musician, I know when I have not given 100%. It's a let down to myself, the band, and GOD.

The most important aspect that Paul mentions is that we must be driving home the fact that the players must be willing to give up "something" that allows practice time to take place. If there is no dedication to learning, you cannot grow.

[valetudospang]

Paul is the man. I went to his church for 2 years and was TOTALLY blessed by him!

[digbyte]

imo, it's about calling and gifting. Your 'call' to music ministry should be evident. Your 'gift' should also be evident. Your calling won't make up for a lack of 'gifting' and vice versa. Someone who joins a worship team should have both

[zzzmath]

someone who joins a worship team should have both calling and gifting. i don't think this is true. a calling is all thats needed. gifting is good but not a requirement. there are many churches that don't have gifted people in the music ministry but they practice and work hard even though they don't have the gift and god uses that and honors that. hard work, commitment and the calling is what i think god is looking for. it would be nice if they have both, but both is not a requirement.

[digbyte]

that's your prerogative. I value 3 attributes in team members or prospective members, 1) Godly character, 2) natural expressiveness, 3)musical skill - and in that order.

Hard work is a given, more so to those with giftings

[zzzmath]

lol yep true...

[cminor131]

Of course God wants Your heart, that's the worship part of worship music. But there's also the music part. The Bible is clear - be skilled! Psalm 33:3 shows that it's not an either/or situation, it's 'both'(amazingly, good musicians can rely on the Holy Spirit too). We need to show God for the awesome saviour He is. When people watch me and my team play, I want them to say 'wow, that God must be incredible to inspire such passion, dedication and excellence', not, 'their God must be average'.

[bhroily007]

amen..

[ross1909]

I´m completely agree. The worship team on every place must hear this wherever they are. We all are responsible to give the Holy Spirit material to work through us, thanks a lot Paul.

[YOUYOU47]

Agree a 200%!

[WalydWorld]

thank you for your advice !

Walyd

[princeofdarcy]

If we're not playing to the best of our ability we are just ripping off The LORD.HE is the ONE that gave us the talent in the first place.

[Guapwong]

I think what keep the worship musicians from being motivated is the reward that they might receive for being a hardworker. This is just the truth i think.

[mari777here]

Thanks. I really needed this.

[mikehidalgo627]

Thanks Paul for posting this video

[jente74]

That's very inspiring. Thanks.

[curiousmuse]

Great advice Paul. This is a constant problem. The music ministry is a very important part of the service. Music seems to set the tone of the church. It can make or break a persons decision to keep coming back. unfortunately, the word is often not enough.

[riversee12]

nice work!

[ssbuckingham79]

Great advice, thanks Paul.