My name is Andy Hutchison. I am the Worship Pastor at New River Fellowship in Hudson Oaks, Texas. (Ft. Worth/Dallas suburb)

First contemporary worship starts in the heart. Just singing a new song to the Lord. Becoming a life worshipper before becoming a platform worshipper. The Lord has anointed us as worshippers already. I do not believe in a worship style myself. I believe that we use different music styles as tools. I say this to get things off on the right foot.

I would like to pose some questions:

1. What is your current instrumentation on the platform? (i.e. guitar, piano, organ, singers, etc.)
2. How large is the worship center that you are currently meeting in?
3. How are the acoustics? (Is it a live room or a dead room.)
4. What is the population base in your town and are you near a metropolitan area?

If you would like go ahead and answer these. Below are some pre-conceived ideas.

1. Use a pre-recorded drum loop with your celebrative music, and some of your praise/worship music. The drum loop gives a even tempo and can usually stay constant throughout the song. The tempo is fast to medium fast in these situations. These are songs usually used in the first part of the service before entereing into the intimate worship time with the Father.
2. Start with congas, djimbae, bongos, or other percussion instruments before moving to a full set of drums. A beginner can play simple patterns and maintain the groove relatively well. This person can also continue in the percussionist position after you secure your drummer in the future. I believe that the percussionists position is very, very important. All the cymbal swells, chimes, shakers, etc. that round off the edges and transitions in a song come from that position. Again, a simple set of inexpensive congas and a self help video can immediately bring a beginner (that has natural rhythm) into the worship team.
3. All of the above ideas are far behind the priority of worshipping in spirit and in truth. The people you include in your team are leaders. They fall under the same qualifications as your elders or deacons. You/They are leading the body to the secret place, to the throne room of the most high. You want people who have been there. It is so easy to position people because you “need” them to fill a hole in your progressive scheme. I urge you to be on guard for your body and protect them.

I hope some of this helps. There is a huge need to move with the fresh move of our Lord. To humble ourselves enough to do it his way is a huge challenge with our Artist temperaments.

Some books I recommend:
Worship Evangelism – Sally Morgenthaler
Heart Of The Artist – Rory Noland/Willow Creek Community Church
Fresh Wind Fresh Fire – Jim Cymbala

The Lord Bless You,