Equipping a Worship Ministry Team
As you know, I’m passionate about equipping. You might think that my equipping focus is primarily about equipping in biblical counseling, but it’s more than that. It’s equipping for all areas of life and ministry. Today, let’s think about a simple process for equipping a worship ministry team. 
The Scenario
Imagine the following scenario. Your Elder Ministry Team (EMT) works together and develops a church-wide biblically-based philosophy and vision of ministry (always a foundational “step”). In turn, the EMT uses that vision and biblical teaching to craft a draft Biblical Worship Ministry Philosophy.
One elder is then selected to spend the next year meeting with the Worship Team (WT) for 15 minutes at the start of one WT meeting per month. That elder facilitates a biblical study of worship with the WT.
Worshipping in Spirit and in Truth
Perhaps one meeting they study together John 4 and in particular Jesus’ teaching there, and in other places, about both/and worship: worship in spirit and in truth. The WT grows in their understanding that all worship must not simply be an “emotional experience,” but rather a spiritually meaning experience that is grounded in the Truth of God’s Word.
So, even after the first month, the WT starts evaluating the lyrics—the actual words—of the songs they select based upon the criteria of spirit/Truth.
What Truth?
Perhaps in another couple of meetings they study together New Covenant Truth. What truth/Truth is the New Testament Church to highlight? Perhaps they examine the Emmaus Road encounter and see that even in the Old Testament Jesus highlights…Jesus! Perhaps they examine Hebrews 1 and see that Jesus is the final, full, and ultimate expression of the Godhead. They begin to understand that the life and ministry of Christ, the Person and work of Christ, the death, burial, resurrection of Christ, the Gospel of God’s grace are to be central New Covenant Truths that they represent by their music selection.
So, even after the first couple of months, the WT starts evaluating their worship music selections based upon whether it is Christ-Centered, Gospel-Centered.
What Examples?
Perhaps during the next month, the elder walks through several passages with the WT—passages like Ephesians 1:3-14; Philippians 2:1-11; and Colossians 1:15-23. The WT comes to understand that these passages actually began as songs of worship sung by the early New Testament Church. These passages focus on praising the Triune God for the glory of His grace demonstrate in the Person and work of Christ and His Gospel of grace.
So, the WT begins to evaluate their worship selections based upon how well they reflect the focus of these passages—uniting the congregation in spirit and in truth in praise to the glory of God’s grace in Christ.
What Purpose?
Perhaps during another series of monthly meetings they examine the purpose of worship/music. They see in Colossians 3:15-17 another message about spirit/truth/Truth. In Colossians 3:15, they discover together that we are to sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs for the purpose of letting the peace of Christ rule in your hearts as members of one body—this is relational, personal Gospel truth.
They learn in Colossians 3:16, that the purpose of our worship music is to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom as you sing with gratitude in your heart to God for His grace in Christ—this is Truth. Worship is to teach Gospel Truth that we apply together to our lives and ministries, to our hearts and minds.
So, the WT starts evaluating every song on this both/and criteria of heart peace/mind Truth focused on Christ’s Gospel to the praise of God’s grace.
What Focus?
Perhaps in another meeting or two, the elder walks through the church-wide mission/vision. The elder then shares with the WT the draft of the worship ministry philosophy. Together they integrate in their biblical study from the past half year with the draft statement to develop a more defined Worship Ministry Team Philosophy. This enables the WT to focus on music that “fits” the universal biblical criteria and that fits the unique mission/vision/style of their specific congregation.
So, the WT starts evaluating every song using this Worship Ministry Team Philosophy.
Where Do We Find Worship Music?
Perhaps during a couple more meetings, the elder and the WT log on to several worship music websites. They begin to learn about additional worship music resources—ones that match the Worship Ministry Team Philosophy.
So, the WT starts expanding their repertoire of music that matches the biblical philosophy of worship of your church.
Imagine That
Perhaps in less than a year, the elder has worked himself out of a job. The worship leader now has the tools to lead the team once a month in ongoing discipleship and relationship building. The WT now has the tools to work together to select worship music that is biblical and is a “match” for their congregation.
Imagine that…
Join the Conversation
How could an equipping process like this help prevent the typical and tragic “worship wars” that many congregations experience?
How could an equipping process like this lead to a unified worship team?
How could an equipping process like this lead to a depth of worship in spirit and in truth in your congregation?
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