Heartlink Network of Cornerstone Churches Worship Team Purpose and Vision

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1 Heartlink Network of Cornerstone Churches Worship Team Purpose and Vision At Heartlink Network of Cornerstone Churches, we view our corporate worship service as a celebration and we believe that the worship team is a vital part of our Sunday morning celebration service. For us, our corporate worship service is not something to endure, but rather to enjoy. Worship is meant to bring us into the presence of God. The word itself comes from a contraction from the old English words worth and ship. It means to ascribe worth to God. When we worship, we extol the name of Jesus, we sound forth His praises, and we give Him glory. Hebrews 13:15 says, Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips; that give thanks to His name. We believe that it is in the presence of Jesus that lives are changed and healed. Our pattern of worship has become one of the unique characteristics of Cornerstone. There are three sections of worship music in our services: Celebration singing songs of praise, breaking the ice, getting everyone freed up and involved in praising God Celebrate! The songs that are sung are usually uptempo, joyful, hand clapping type songs with lyrics about God. The communication direction is horizontal, one to another. Adoration singing songs to God, directly to Him, claiming His majesty, greatness, power; adoring HIM. The purpose is to enter into and experience the awesome presence of God that often leads to a quiet time of listening. The communication direction is vertical, from me to God. Exultation singing songs that express yielding, surrendering, calling out to God, and recommitting our lives. The communication direction is both horizontal and vertical and from me to God and God to me. This section is usually closed with a triumphant, upbeat sending song. The vision of the Senior Pastor and Worship Director/Leader is to maintain a worship music program of purity, passion and excellence.

2 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PASTOR AND WORSHIP LEADER The Senior Pastor is responsible for the overall direction of the worship service and gives "on demand" direction to the worship team leader during the flow of the service. The worship director is submitted to the pastor in seeing the vision God is giving him to lead the service and follow it, even making change where it is needed. This requires a strong relationship between the pastor and the worship director on and off the stage. This relationship must intentionally be nurtured including weekly meetings to evaluate the worship service, cast vision, share concerns and pray. If this relationship is not intentionally nurtured, it gives way for the enemy to manipulate and disrupt the flow of worship. Guidelines and requirements for team members CALLING Participants must be born-again believers of Christ, who display a lifestyle that exemplifies Jesus. Participants must be worshipers on and off the platform. Anyone who has difficulty worshiping at home or in the congregation is not ready to be a leader. Talent and Skill One does not need to be a professional musician to worship the Lord, but God honors the discipline of additional practice and preparation. Musicians and vocalists should be skilled enough to effectively minister as part of the team and willing to practice and work towards further excellence. Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it. (1 Chronicles 15:22) Musicians and vocalists should have open hearts to receive advice, correction and training.

3 COMMITMENT Worship Team members should be actively involved at the Heartlink Network church location and dedicated to its vision and to the leadership of its pastors and other leaders. This commitment includes their prayers, regular attendance in services, and LIFE group. Those who commit to serving on the worship team are asked to commit to weekly rehearsals, and they are expected to do their best to make sure other commitments do not interfere with their ability to serve on the worship team on a weekly basis. Attendance and Punctuality Attendance and punctuality are very important factors for being a member of the worship team. Early is on time, on time is late. Worship team members should be prompt and ready to rehearse as a courtesy to the rest of the team Weekly rehearsals are required, and members should arrive ready to work on the designated material. Those who are unable to attend rehearsals should not expect to participate in the worship team the following Sunday unless prior arrangements with the worship leader have been made. Attire As leaders, members must dress properly. Although we recognize that God does not judge us by outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7), we also realize that proper attire adds a level of professionalism to the worship experience. Consequently, members are encouraged to be clean, modest and appropriately dressed for all services. Please avoid torn jeans, sweats, short skirts, etc.

4 New Applications and Waiting Periods We regularly seek to expand our worship team. Anyone interested in serving is encouraged to fill out an application and set up an appointment with the worship director/leader for an audition and interview to discuss the guidelines and expectations presented in this manual. Auditions and interviews are held because worship embraces two major issues: Heart and Skill. As leaders in worship, we must be worshipers first, but in addition, the worship director/leader must determine each person s ability as a musician or vocalist to see if the worship ministry is a primary gifting. It will be up to the digression of the worship director/leader to offer the invitation or express any concerns at the time of the interview or within two weeks of the interview. New applicants to the worship team are strongly encouraged to attend & rehearse with the team three to four rehearsals before taking the platform for a worship service. This helps the new applicant to build relationships with the other team members and gain confidence in his/her new position. (This can be changed at the discretion of the worship team leader) SOUND ENGINEERS, VISUAL EQUIPMENT OPERATORS Sound engineers and visual equipment operators are important members of the worship ministry. Visual equipment operators are asked to arrive early so they can check over the lyrics for the songs and receive the final order for the songs. These members should be attentive at all times during the service and ready to make changes where necessary. The sound engineers are also asked to arrive early, and help the music team as much as possible. Sound engineers must be alert and responsive, especially during the worship, and should be ready to make adjustments quickly. RELATIONSHIPS Lastly, open communication is of vital importance. The ministry of worship is dependent on peaceful relationships within the worship team. If at any time a member is confused, discouraged, or unhappy with the way things may be happening at a given time, they are encouraged to speak with the worship leader. The only way to deal with hurt

5 feelings, resentment, confusion, etc. is to bring it out into the open so that the Lord can help us work through it as a team. WEEKLY SCHEDULE (Subject to change according to location) Thursdays: 7:00 PM 9:00 PM. Worship Team Rehearsal / Team Prayer Sundays: 8:30 AM Worship Team prayer with Senior Pastor and warm-up 9:30 AM Celebration Service