Please reference our website at to see Core Beliefs in detail.

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1 Joining the Worship Team Do you have a sense of calling to worship leadership and a desire to share your musical gifting with this community? If so, please read on to learn about why and how we do what we do here at Pathways Community Church. Pathways exists to give the people of Santee and East County the best opportunity to become fully-developing followers of Jesus by... Inviting people to an intimate relationship with God Connecting people in healthy relationships with other Christians Teaching people the Word of God as the foundation of Christian living Involving people in life-changing ministry and mission in our city and the world that they may honor God completely. Please reference our website at to see Core Beliefs in detail. Our worship non-negotiables are God s presence and the engagement of everybody all ages, races, and ethnicities. We don t always hit this mark, but we strive to. For this reason, we aim to draw our music and worship leading approaches from a variety of sources including Hillsong, Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, and traditional hymns; to name a few (we seek to write our own songs too!). The Pathways worship team seeks to play high energy music that has a heartfelt message. We sometimes will use secular music in service to get a point across. There are many popular songs we hear on the radio with great messages. At Pathways, we LOVE to worship God and will do so in whatever way is glorifying to Him. Our Worship Team Vision Statement To invite, by bold example, the gathered church to genuine, full-bodied expressions of devotion to the living God, leaving space for all present, including the Holy Spirit, to respond and contribute their gifts freely. We seek to do this in our church's large and various small group gatherings. What is a Worship Team? Although the first image which comes to mind when most people think of a contemporary worship team is "the band", we consider ourselves to be the legacy of a biblical priesthood. We are a band of priests. How's that for a mixed metaphor? Sure, we are the band and the sound engineers and seek to do the music with state-of-the-art excellence, but we are far more. "At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the Covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister and to pronounce blessings in his name, as they still do today." Deuteronomy 10:8 The above scripture describes Israel's equivalent of a worship team, the tribe of Levi. From it, we can derive four basic components of being on the worship team:

2 1. Being set apart - We consider being on the worship team as a calling from God, which needs to be affirmed by His people. This calling is not simply about musical talent, but about one's identity as a worshiper of God. While all of God's people are called to be worshipers, we believe there are some who are called to be worship leaders, or put another way, "lead worshipers". This identity as a "lead worshiper" is equally true of us whether on or off the band platform. We consider ourselves to be worshipers and instigators of worship wherever we go. (At least on our better days!) 2. Carrying the very presence of God (as represented by the ark of the Covenant) - Because of the holy nature of this calling, as a worship team we hold each other to high spiritual standards (See our church's 101 members covenants). These standards are upheld under God's grace, in the context of a shared lifelong rhythm of confession and forgiveness. 3. Standing before the Lord and ministering to Him - When on the band platform, we play our music first and foremost for the audience of God. Only when He responds to us by drawing closer do we believe we've hit the target, regardless of how well we have played. 4. Pronouncing blessings in His name to the gathered church - We take seriously our responsibility to serve the gathered church by blessing them through our playing, singing, and speaking. This is both an honored privilege and great fun! Why Do People Get Involved In Worship Ministry? Some people get involved in the Worship Ministry because that is where their abilities are found. They are skilled musicians and technicians or have been blessed with quality singing voices. It seems like a natural place to minister. Others just have a desire to serve and are looking for a place to plug in. We believe that the basis for involvement should begin with a sense of God s calling. Do you believe that at this point in your life, God has called you to lead others into worship through your involvement in the Worship Ministry? Once that question is addressed, then your spiritual giftedness, natural talents, and developed abilities will help clarify your role in the Worship Ministry. Discovering Your Call Are You Called to Worship Ministry? The worship ministry is one of the most vital ministries in the local church and should be viewed as a sacred office. Discovering your call begins with a DESIRE to be used by God to IMPACT the local church and the community around you. To examine your ministry calling, refer to the following four voices that can help provide a level of guidance.

3 1. The voice of the Spirit (inward impression) You always know when God is speaking to you because His prompting will burn within you. (Galatians 5:25, Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ) 2. The voice of reason (common sense) We sometimes don t use common sense when making decisions. For example, common sense would involve looking at your skills relative to the area of ministry you re interested in. 3. The voice of friends (trusted friends) If you surround yourself with believers that have your best interests at heart, they will provide the necessary guidance you need (Proverbs 11:14, For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure; Proverbs 12:15, The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice; Proverbs 15:22, Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. ). 4. The voice of opportunity (circumstances) Be aware of the doors the Lord will open for you. He specializes in orchestrating circumstances around you so that you can see His provision. Paul writes of opportunity in 1 Corinthians 16:9, because a great door for effective work has opened to me and Colossians 4:3, And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ Remember that vision precedes provision! What Worship Opportunities Exist? Worship Team Musicians, Singers, and Technical Artists The worship ministry facilitates worship each week using a Worship Team comprised of musicians and singers, as well as technical artists (who use their talents for sound reinforcement, media, lights, and camera). There will be mid-week rehearsals with warmup rehearsals on Sunday mornings. Featured Music At some services we will be privileged to have featured music provided either by the Worship Team, gifted believers from the congregation, or by guest worshipers. Featured singers and musicians will be asked to "sound check" before the service on the day of their offering. It is not necessary to be a Worship Team member to be placed on the Featured Music Rotation List, but interviews may be required of those who have not already been through the interview process. When placed on the Featured Music Rotation List, you will receive an to share on a specific day.

4 Expanded Worship Arts The worship ministry is also open to other forms of fine art and technical talents such as painting, sculpting, interpretive dance, drama, film & video production, and more. If you have ideas or know someone with special gifts and talents to be used by the Lord, please contact the Worship Pastor to discuss the possibility of worship involvement. Joining the Worship Team What is the process for worship team selection? In figuring out if there is a place for you on the worship team, we d like time to get to know each other: 1. Get to know us - While there is no specific time period that you need to attend the church before joining the worship team, our hope is that you will have spent enough time with us to decide that this is your home church. Find a life group and attend the membership 101 class. Given its very public platform, we ask worship team members to participate as full members of the Pathways community. Some exceptions are made by the worship leader to bring in people on an as needed or emergency basis. 2. Help us to get to know you - It takes time to get to know people. Whatever you can do to be around us and let yourself be known will really help us. We have found that many people who are now on the worship bands started out helping on other teams, such as the Sound Team, or the Video/Projections Team. Others have started out helping with worship in their small groups; this has proven to be a great way to get connected within the church community and to grow in worship leading skills in a group setting. 3. Musical Ability - We also need to see if your musical ability is at a level where you can pick up a chord chart and play or sing after little or no rehearsal (which isn t an uncommon occurrence at a Sunday service). There are various ways of communicating and demonstrating your actual skill level through an audition, through references from previous experience, or through recordings of your playing. Once we know of your interest, we may ask you to join the band during a rehearsal and join in with us. As much as musical competence is a bottom-line necessity, we are primarily looking for folks who are worshipers of God and good team players. It s important that worship team members are able to follow the direction of the worship/band leader, find their place within a band, retain memory of arrangements, and also pray for God s presence in and blessing over our church s worship of Him. Again, from our perspective, worship is not about musical ability and performing so much as it is about offering all that we are, with discernment, in order to bless God and others.

5 Weekly Rehearsal Attendance Worship Team members are required to be faithful and punctual in their attendance of rehearsals, services, and other events for which they are scheduled. If you are not able to make a rehearsal or be there for the worship service, please inform your Team Leader as soon as possible so that other arrangements can be. Additionally, you will generally not be able to participate in the Sunday service if you cannot make the mid-week rehearsal unless arrangements have been made. Excessive absence or tardiness may result in a probationary improvement period or removal from team participation. Rehearsal Times The Worship Team generally meets for a mid-week rehearsal and for a warm-up rehearsal on the day of a service or event. It is expected that musicians and singers, as well as sound and slide technicians attend mid-week rehearsals. Lighting and camera technicians are added to the mix during the sound-check. Worship Team Expectations Those asked to be up front regularly will automatically become models to the church. People will see you as someone who has the stamp of approval by the pastors and church leadership--your life will be watched more closely. It will often be true that people will know your name and recognize you when you don't know them. Who you are on stage, needs to be in line with who you are in the city, at your job, and in your home. A new believer, or someone who has no record of walking with God over a period of time needs to first involve themselves in serving in other capacities in the church before they are placed up front. We need team players. You may feel differently in a certain direction, but need to follow the leader. You must have a willingness to make radical changes in your attitude at the last minute. Your impact on the team needs to one that builds morale and self-esteem, and relationship not divisiveness and difficulty. You need a willingness to do whatever it takes to make the team operate smoothly. You must be committed to: Protecting the unity of the church by living out the seven heart attitudes/habits of the Scriptures. 1. Put the success of others above my own. Philippians 2: Clear up relationships with others. Matthew 5: Live an honest life before others. Ephesians 4:25 4. Receive and give Scriptural correction. Hebrews 3:1 5. Participate in ministry of the church. 1 Peter 4: Support the church financially. 2 Corinthians 9: Follow spiritual leadership within Hebrews 13:17 Scriptural limits.

6 Sharing the responsibility of our church 1. Praying for our growth 2. Inviting the un-churched to attend 3. Warmly welcoming those who visit Serving in the ministry of our church 1. Discovering your gifts and talents 2. Being equipped to serve by pastoral leadership. 3. Developing a servant's heart Supporting the testimony of our church 1. Attending faithfully 2. Living a godly life 3. Giving regularly The Worship T.E.A.M We believe in the T.E.A.M. concept that people are more important than program, that relationships precede and give birth to function... that everything we do is a reflection of the strength of our relationship in Christ. We desire to know who we are in Christ, and because of that unique relationship, what He has called us to do. We desire to strengthen our spiritual relationships first, knowing that all we do will demonstrates these growing relationships, with God, and with each other. T: Trust. We know that every relationship begins with Trust. We are learning and growing to trust God more, become trustworthy ourselves. To do this we seek to humble ourselves before God, allowing His cleansing to make us pure, according to Psalm 51. E: Experiencing Giftedness. Every believer has a Spiritual Gift, or gift mix. It is our desire to encourage all people on the Worship Team to actively pursue recognizing and employing his or her spiritual gift(s) on an ongoing basis. From this realization comes the understanding of our mission before God, how best to use our talents and abilities to accomplish all He has called us to accomplish. A: Accountability. We believe that doing what we say we are going to do (functional accountability) is a direct reflection of the strength of our relational accountability. Therefore we seek to be relationally accountable before God and each other, knowing that we will be functionally accountable because of this relationship. M: Methodology. We recognize and affirm that our Message of Truth never changes, but that our methods must constantly change, reflecting our desire to communicate to our audience and/or congregation in the most effective ways possible. Therefore we are willing to try new methods in cooperation with theme/focus and intent.

7 Final Thoughts Every one of us was created to worship our Everlasting God. Through the songs that we sing, the actions of our hands, the sacrifice we make as we turn our lives over to Him, our very lives become an offering to our King. Worship is how we connect with our Creator and give Him back all of the honor that is due to Him. What an honor and privilege it is to be able to facilitate part of that worship for people! As worship leaders (for that is what the Worship Team is doing), we have been called to usher people into the throne room, where they will have an opportunity to touch the heart of God. Pray that we will never lose sight of that mission. Pray that God will give us the strength, the resources, and the abilities to praise Him. And pray that our focus will never be taken off of Christ as the Object of our worship. Pray that we never focus more on the act of worship than who we worship Jesus Christ. We appreciate your dedication and service and recognize the sacrifice you are making in serving the Lord in this way. A lot of time and work goes into preparing for our gatherings each week, and your dedication will reflect a commitment to making each and every gathering a blessing. May you glorify the Lord in all that you do! If interested, click HERE to fill out an application!