FredMcKinnon.Com

Hey Everybody -

A while back I got a great “Q&A” email from Barry Trowbridge.  I’d like to use it as a post today and ask everyone to rally and get some responses for Barry.

Fred – I really am enjoying your blog. Since you are a  worship leader, I’d like to get your opinion/thoughts on something. We have about 25 people who are involved in leading worship at our church – several instrumentalists and vocalists, and we serve on a rotating basis, and don’t always serve with the same people, so there are very few times during the year when we’re all in the same place at the same time. As a result, we’re having trouble figuring out how to build great community in such a setting. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you and your team  builds community.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you might have on this topic.
(Barry Trowbridge – www.weightuponthelord.com)

My Response:

Barry, this is a great question that shows your pastor’s heart in leading this team.  I believe that the stronger our relationships can be “off” the platform the better.  This intimacy and fellowship that we develop “off stage” will most certainly translate into greater flow, unity, and purpose “on” the platform.

Your question is also a stinging reminder that I’ve not done a good job in this very area.  I’ve got around 70+ according to PlanningCenter in the Main Auditorium rotation alone and it’s a daunting task to keep everyone in community.

A few thoughts:
1.  Food.  Nothing builds community like food and fellowship.  There is something about “breaking bread” together.  Have a BBQ, a big pizza party, etc.

2.  Ministry.  Consider having a time when you bring everyone together, and then have an outsider come in and just minister to your group.  Lead them in worship, or teach and train them.

3.  Experience Other Ministry.  If a worship artist is having a concert nearby, have a road trip.  We took a handful of our musicians to see Hillsong United in Jacksonville and it was a great time of team building.  The drive down was probably the best part of it.  Also, consider purchasing some DVDs of live worship and playing them.  It’s a great way to eat, fellowship, and then explore some purpose.

4.  Reach In.  Beyond just their participation on the worship team, make sure that as many volunteers as possible are “reaching in” on a different level – through a small group of sorts.  In our church, that could be a home group, Men’s Fraternity, Women’s Bible Study, etc.

What I’m learning is that if you don’t proactively plan these and get them on the calendar, they simply won’t happen.  Shoot for at least 3-4 times per year.

How about everyone else that reads this blog?  What would you suggest?