

Abounding
Grace
Ministries
Worship Team Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in the Worship Team Ministry at Abounding Grace Ministries. We believe that God has a plan and purpose for every Christian and that purpose will be fulfilled in the local church. Since you are interested in this area of ministry we want you to be encouraged and know that our desire is to see you fulfill all God has called you to do and be.
As a part of the worship team, we have specific guidelines that we have established for our team to work together and to be the best we can be. Please read this carefully. You must be in 100% agreement for you to flow with our team and in order for the anointing to flow through you.
Our Purpose
The purpose of the AGM Worship Team is to edify and build up the body of Christ by creating an atmosphere for the anointing of God to flow. Our goal is to lead our congregation into a passionate, exhilarating, and intimate time of praise and worship every time we come together. We want AGM to be a place where people can experience a divine encounter with the Lord and have their hearts prepared to receive the teaching of the Word of God. In order to lead the congregation in true praise and worship, we must be true and passionate worshippers.
1 Chronicles 16:8-11 NLT
Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing is praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD. Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him.
Psalm 47:5-7 NKJV
God has gone up with a shout, The LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.
John 4:24 NKJV
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
Psalm 9:1-2 NKJV
I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
3 Ways to Accomplish Our Purpose
1. By making sure our lives exemplify purity and holiness so God can flow through us.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 NLT
In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
Psalm 15:1-4 NKJV
LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD.
2. By listening to and studying other worship teams that are successful and have the same heart we do.
3. To be prayed up and ready to minister in a spirit of unity.
Psalm 133:1,3 NKJV
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! ….For there the LORD commanded the blessing--Life forevermore.
Isaiah 38:20 NKJV
The LORD was ready to save me; therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments All the days of our life, in the house of the LORD.
Required Character Traits
As a music minister we expect you to have the following:
1. Musical Talent
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There must be evidence of a gift and a degree of skill to be able to participate on the Worship Team.
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Play and sing skillfully and joyfully.
Psalm 33:1-3 NKVJ
Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the LORD with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
1 Chronicles 15:16 NLT
David also ordered the Levite leaders to appoint a choir of Levites who were singers and musicians to sing joyful songs to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals.
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Make a habit of practicing your instrument and even taking lessons in order to be proficient and play well with other team members.
Proverbs 22:29 NKJV
Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.
2. Spirituality
Be a committed Christian and member of AGM with a loyal heart to serve God, to include, but not limited to the following:
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Born again
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Filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of praying in other tongues.
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Bible study and daily Bible reading
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Daily prayer time
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Growing and changing in line with the Word of God
Romans 12:2 NKJV
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
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Attend AGM services regularly
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Lifestyle of worship - If we are going to lead people into worship, we must be people who love to worship God and honor God privately, with our lifestyle, and publicly.
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Be a Servant
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Even as Jesus came to minister (serve) rather than be served so we must be looking for opportunities to minister outside of the Worship Team.
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To do this we must be mature enough to keep ourselves built up so we can give rather than needing to be helped all the time.
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This requires us to be aware of people around us and reach out to them during a service and /or during the week.
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Be willing to do whatever needs to be done, even if it’s not on the platform. A humble spirit is required to be in front of people. Otherwise your pride will remove you from a place of honor.
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3. Be Free
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Jesus said the truth we know will make us free.
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In order to help others be free in their worship, it is essential that we show the congregation what freedom in worship is.
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The anointing of the Holy Spirit is able to flow only if the vessel is free.
Specific Requirements
1. Dress Code
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Our main goal is to look professional and our dress should always be modest, as we are not only representing Christ, but Pastor and Abounding Grace Ministries.
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Clothing must be clean, sharp and ironed. No clashing colors.
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Appropriate shoes must be worn at all times (i.e.) No flip flops.
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We want the worship team to look the best they can! Remember that the way we look is of utmost importance. We are the first thing the congregation sees. People do judge by appearance. We never get a second chance to make that first impression. Please be sure that your style and clothing bring honor and glory to God, isn’t excessive and doesn’t draw unnecessary attention to yourself.
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Dress is to be smart casual. This means nice pants or dressy jeans with blouses or sweaters, and/or jackets for women and nice collared dress shirts for men. Tennis Shoes, sneakers, and flip-flops are not allowed.
2. Grooming and Hygiene
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Hair must be washed, nicely groomed and kept neat and clean; no sloppy hairdos or excessively wild styles that draw undue attention.
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No excessive piercing.
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Ladies, put your make-up on before you get to church. No tight shirts, low cut shirts or tummy’s showing. All skirts must be to the knee.
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No excessive colognes or perfumes.
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Bodies must be clean and use of effective deodorant is essential to positive interpersonal relationships.
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Remember also that breath mints are available. Please use them!
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Remember that, as a music minister, people look up to you. Your life must exemplify one of excellence in all areas; spirit, soul and body.
3. Attendance
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You are expected to be a committed and faithful person to the Worship Team.
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You are expected to be at church even if you’re not on the Worship Team Schedule.
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All music ministers are expected to be present at the weekly practices. If you cannot attend, you need to communicate that with the worship leader ahead of time.
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Your commitment to this ministry is reflected in your attendance not only of the practices but also in attending services regularly.
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Excessive absences will be grounds for dismissal.
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Attendance for special meetings, conferences and revivals is required. The only exception will be work schedules that cannot be changed. There will probably be 1-2 special meetings throughout the year that will involve 3-4 nights.
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Practice Times: You are required to be at pre-service sound checks and prayer for the services you are scheduled for.
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Sunday’s - 10.30am
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Tuesday’s – 6.45pm
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4. Attitude
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A submissive attitude is very important among the worship team members. Speaking against the leadership will not be tolerated; neither will attitudes that have their own personal agenda. We are here to serve God through serving Pastor and this body and to be submissive to those over us.
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A critical spirit or negative attitude will reflect in our corporate worship. Those attitudes will not be tolerated! Please keep your comments to yourself. If you do not agree with the way things are handled, pray about it, don’t talk about it. If you have a real issue, discuss it privately with the Worship Leader.
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There will be times when the leader will be offering instruction concerning the way an instrument is played or the way a certain vocal part sounds. It is imperative you receive instruction willingly. A bad attitude towards instruction will negatively affect the whole group. You can’t wear your feelings on your sleeve.
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Our goal is for the best overall sound, a good blend of instruments and vocals. This can be one of the hardest areas to deal with, trying to please all the members of the team at the same time. Please be patient, with a good attitude, as we are constantly adjusting and working towards the best overall sound.
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There is to be no playing on instruments, when the leader is giving instruction. A lot of clanging and noise can be very frustrating and often takes up a lot of unnecessary time as the instruction cannot be heard and often will have to be repeated when this is going on. Please be respectful towards the Leader of the group.
REMEMBER: Proverbs 6:23 says , “Reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”
5. Holiness
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A life-style that exemplifies holiness is a must for anyone involved in the Worship Team.
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Smoking, use of narcotics or alcohol, swearing, illicit sexual behavior and ongoing family problems are not acceptable in a music minister’s life and will not be tolerated.
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The Bible teaches us to worship God in the beauty of holiness. We give glory and honor to God by a life style of holiness. As music ministers we are required by God to live a life that worships in action as well as word.
Expectations
All songs will be uploaded to website in mp3 format. It is your responsibility to listen to and learn these songs prior to rehearsal. We want to spend more time perfecting songs and less time learning them. We are also open to any song suggestions. Please do not be offended if your song choice is rejected. It just means that the particular song you’ve chosen is not a good fit for our worship ministry. You are expected to do the following:
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Be prayed up and tuned into the Holy Ghost.
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Be a tither & a giver.
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Be in church and prepare your heart to receive the Word of God for yourself. Pay attention in church.
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Put a draw on the preacher. Our part doesn’t end when worship ends. We’re not a separate entity. We fully expect all of us to be paying attention and hungry for the Word of God as it’s preached. We’re a part of the whole service, not just the beginning.
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Be prepared to do the songs on the list. Listen to and practice the songs before you get to practice. Note any special instructions for the songs. i.e. endings, key changes, ect…
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If you don’t know the song or are unfamiliar with it, it is your job to let the leader know. Don’t come to a sound check or practice needing music. Request it ahead of time.
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Be on time. If you are more than 20 minutes late, you will not be serving that service (singing/playing/sound). (Depending on the circumstance) Habitual tardiness will not be tolerated. You are choosing to remove yourself form the team by being habitually late.
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Call/text if you’re going to be late.
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Be ready to pray 15 minutes before service starts. Pray boldly in the Spirit, lifting up the service.
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Follow the dress code and wear the proper color.
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Be at Hour of Power services and other services and events, even if you’re not serving.
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Give a least 2 weeks’ notice if you’re going to be gone. More time is preferred – as soon as you know, email, text or write it down. Verbal notice is not acceptable.
Please read this carefully and examine yourself regularly as to your commitment in this area of service. If you do not meet the standards set forth in these guidelines, you will disqualify yourself as a part of the Worship Team.
We are grateful for each one and we believe that as we are faithful to God in these areas He will be faithful to show Himself strong on our behalf.