Worship Ministry Training Podcast (For Worship Leaders) Worship Ministry Training with Alex Enfiedjian

Video and Transcript: https://ccsbworship.weebly.com/blog/stewardship
More worship training content here: www.worshipministrytraining.com

The bass guitar is such an incredibly important instrument in a worship band context. Bass carries all the energy, and when played properly can really help your church enter in and engage during musical worship. Yet many bass players take the wrong approach to their playing in a worship setting. Worship calls for a specific style of playing.
In this episode I share four key concepts to keep in mind when playing bass in a worship band context, and then demonstrate a whole host of techniques that your bassists can begin applying this upcoming Sunday. Consider this a crash course tutorial for your worship bass players. Be sure to send this episode to them, or even better, send them the video version of the episode so they can watch me demonstrate the principles and techniques in action: Worship Bass Tutorial Video 
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Episode: Using Vocal Cues To Help Your Church Sing
Episode: Utilizing Your Acoustic Guitar To It’s Full Potential
Episode: Helping Your Band Beat Busyness and Embrace Musical Simplicity  
 
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! 
EMAIL ME your thoughts on this episode or ASK A QUESTION that you’d like us to answer on a future episode by calling +1-831-607-WLT1
Say hi on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, or FACEBOOK
 
Our Sponsor This Month – Pads Live App
Coresound's amazing sounding pads are now available in an intuitive, easy to use app! Download the app to your phone or tablet, build a setlist, and click play. It's that easy to take your team's sound to the next level! Check out this video demo to see the app in action. The app is free, and more sounds can be unlocked via in-app purchases or at Coresoundpads.com
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Unlock more pad sounds by going to Coresoundpads.com and entering WMTPODCAST at checkout for 20% off ALL BUNDLES! **Discounts are not available in the app, so we highly encourage you to purchase your pad bundles at Coresound's Website. They will automatically unlock within the app after purchase. 



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I get a lot of emails from worship leaders asking for advice and counsel, and I am always happy to help! Some churches require even more help than a simple email response, so I recently started offering coaching services for an affordable rate. If your church needs some guidance or coaching, feel free to email me at alex@worshipministrytraining.com and we can try to get something on the calendar. Here are 16 questions I answered recently while coaching a church, and decided to make available as a podcast episode. The questions are listed below, so feel free to jump to the ones that interest you. Resources mentioned are also listed as well.  
QUESTIONS:
How large is an ideal volunteer force (let’s say a church of 1500 weekly) and what does the makeup look like? I.e. How many singers (of each type), band elements, and choir?

Why don’t modern worship bands and singers use sheet music? It seems sheet music provides specific guidelines and clarity for what to play when, when to rest, what notes to sing, rhythms, cuttoffs, etc. Do you ever find sheet music useful at times? If so, when?

How do you recommend on-boarding new members (vocal or band). Do you audition? Once someone is selected, is there a rehearsal process beyond a mid-week rehearsal before their first Sunday?

How do you evaluate the sound while also participating in it? Traditionally a music director or choir director is listening to the sound so that they can critique and make changes. This is difficult to do while focusing also on your own sound, in ear mix, blend with other vocalists (to the extent there are any) etc.

What are the tell tale signs of a thriving church music ministry? When you visit other churches, what are you looking for that will indicate a healthy program?

What is your position on the music ministry raising up children/teens in music? Do you believe in a children’s music program? Children’s choir? If so, with what frequency do you incorporate them in the main auditorium service?

Do you do anything like special music in your services? If so, how do you lead the congregation to know not to sing along, but to listen, enjoy, and connect to God silently?

What is your ideal worship song selection template? We sometimes follow the upbeat > slow build > ballad > misc/hymn pattern. Would you recommend something different?

If you don’t use sheet music, how do you instruct background vocal singers on what to sing and when to sing? Do you plan chords and teach parts to them at each rehearsal? Do you record preview tracks and put in planning center for them to listen to?

How do you give specific direction and feedback with the intention of making the sound better, while still shepherding and loving the team well?

When someone is failing (i.e. can’t perform up to standards musically) how do you address that if they really aren’t good enough to be on the team?

What are the top 2-3 spiritual leadership practices you would recommend implementing in the worship ministry?

What do you think is the biggest frustration for worship ministry volunteers? What drives away participation in the music ministry?

Do you have any tips for how to transition between songs, especially of different styles like modern songs to traditional songs or the other way around?

What are your favorite ways to train and equip vocalists?

What does your worship ministry leadership structure look like? For instance, worship leaders, music/band director, service producer, etc.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
FREE E-BOOK on Set Building
Transitions – Why They Matter and How To Master Them  
 
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!  EMAIL ME your thoughts on this episode or ASK A QUESTION that you’d like us to answer on a future episode by calling +1-831-607-WLT1
Say hi on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, or FACEBOOK
Our Sponsor This Month –

Ministry can be a very discouraging vocation. The discouragement can be caused by a whole host of issues: criticism from church members, lack of participation in worship, a church that seems stuck or dying, relational conflicts with key leaders, family problems, and even betrayal by ministry allies.
So how do we press on in ministry when times get hard? How do we keep going when we feel like giving up? In this episode I give five things to do to battle discouragement in your life and ministry.
Forward this episode to any friends who are having a hard time. Let’s soldier on together!
 
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Navigating Ministry Transitions w/ Mack Brock
How To Leave Your Church Well
True Worshippers Book (Amazon)  
 
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!  EMAIL ME your thoughts on this episode or ASK A QUESTION that you’d like us to answer on a future episode by calling +1-831-607-WLT1
Say hi on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, or FACEBOOK
Our Sponsor This Month – Planning Center

Planning Center is the ultimate tool for scheduling teams, planning worship services, selecting song sets, communicating with team members, hosting chord charts and mp3's and so much more!  Sign up and get 30 days free at planning.center 

Enjoy the podcast? Help us out by leaving us a review on iTunes!

What is a music director in a worship band? What do they do? And how does it differ from the worship leader? Why should you consider creating a music director position? What type of person makes for a good music director? How do you pull it off from a technical standpoint? And what are some of the best practices and pitfalls to avoid in order to be successful at it? Those are the questions we will be addressing in this month’s episode. Hope you enjoy the episode and it helps strengthen your ministry!
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
The Ultimate Guide To In Ear Monitors (Episode)
Whirlwind Mic Mute PT Pedal (Amazon)
  
I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!  EMAIL ME your thoughts on this episode or ASK A QUESTION that you’d like us to answer on a future episode by calling +1-831-607-WLT1
Say hi on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, or FACEBOOK
 
Our Sponsor This Month – Planning Center

Planning Center is the ultimate tool for scheduling teams, planning worship services, selecting song sets, communicating with team members, hosting chord charts and mp3's and so much more!  Sign up and get 30 days free at planning.center 

Enjoy the podcast? Help us out by leaving us a review on iTunes!

Video and Transcript here: http://ccsbworship.weebly.com/blog/do-you-feel-unworthy-to-serve

More resources at: www.worshipministrytraining.com