Thinking About Being on the Praise Team?

Personally, I tend to shy away from volunteerism when it comes to praise team membership. Prospective team members must be interviewed, taught, and understand the critically important role they will play in standing before the people to minister praise & worship. No matter how willing potential members may be, proper motives among these individuals must be well-determined prior to making decisions on whether they will be a part of the team. Our responsibility to lead God's people into His presence is much too important to leave it to individuals who do not have a heart of worship.

Finally there needs to be unity and mutual love for one another among the team. Dissention among the members will prove obvious to the congregation. Even though our function is not to be seen, we are seen by many, many sets of eyes on any given Sunday, and our projection needs to be that of oneness. We should demonstrate our love for God and for our fellow team members. Praise team members should pray for, support, and be there for one another. This is why it is important to know the hearts of prospective team members; know something of their salvation experience, and how their lives reflect the mind of Christ. And this is why aspiring praise team members should be prayed over, and chosen by the Holy Spirit.

If you are a musician/worship leader charged with building or rebuilding your praise team, seek the Lord first and foremost. Allow Him to show you those persons who would make for a strong, solid unit to minister in your church. If you are a praise team hopeful, please be prayerful about this. Be honest with yourself and God and consider whether this is the ministry God has led you into.