Some basic concepts in the administration of a Music Ministry
Whether you call it Worship Ministry, Worship Pastor, Song Leader, etc.
© 1998 Mike Druckenmiller (Sr.)
The Music Minister should have most, if not all, of the Lyrics and Sheet Music, in the correct keys, available no later than Wednesday evening service, assuming a Thursday evening practice. This will allow those that need a chance to go over the lyrics and music a chance to do so before practice. This is especially beneficial to novice participants or those who are rusty.
An alternative is to use the versions available on YouTube or Spotify that have lyrics and in a comfortable key, providing links on a Music Ministry web page for easy access.
Practice should be conducted as if it were an actual church service, except for corrections and retries, including all participants facing the congregation and using mics. Using the full ensemble allows the sound tech (who must be considered an integral part of the Music Team) to work out any deficiencies on practice night when communication is not as disruptive as would be in an actual service. Nothing one can destroy a Worship service quicker than discord or miscommunication with the sound technician. During worship the sound tech works for the Music Minister.
Music Stands should be provided. Few things are less conducive to Praising in the Spirit then to have to turn your back to the congregation to read a line from the overhead. The overhead operator also needs to practice with the Team so that the correct slide is shown at the correct time.
With the almost universal usage of lyric projection on both the front and back walls this may not be needed as much.
The Music Minister should sing from a photo copy of the overhead to ensure that the lyrics sung are the same as those displayed. 😊
No matter where the lyrics are shown they should be the same as those you are planning to sing. Correct grammar is important, too. Things like using your (ownership) when you’re (you are) is correct catches more eyes than you may know.
Lyric sheets should be in a type style and size that can easily be read from arm’s length with a rapid glance. 20 point Arial seems to work fairly well. Also, using the overhead master as the lyric sheet ensures that the singers and congregation are seeing the same thing, typos and all.
Don’t try to put too much text on a single screen!
Songs should be practiced and lyricized as performed on readily available recordings. Differences in style or lyrics should be noted. This will allow a measure of uniformity with the overall body of Christ allowing visitors and new members an opportunity to enter in easily right from the start. Using such a standard also limits the frustration of disagreements in how it is supposed to be sung. Additionally, novice or rusty performers can practice with the recording at home, albeit not necessarily in the correct key for church.
Songs should be sung in a key that the majority of those that desire to enter in can sing it in. This is critical. Music Ministry does not exist for those on the platform. It is a ministry unto the church, that is, supposed to provide an ambiance to usher God's people into His Presence, this calls for practice and sacrifice from those that wish to participate.
Songs that are too tricky, choppy or complicated for the general congregation should be reserved for preludes, offering, specials, and postludes. The idea is to focus God's people on Him, not see if they can keep up with the key and tempo changes. Remember the scriptures talks about making Melody in your hearts unto The Lord, and out of the abundance of the heart the mouth sings. This is a pet peeve if it’s not melodic I am concentrating on catching pauses and breaks and NOT on Worshiping Jesus...
The Music Minister should be an example of Praise and Worship and, must have both the heart and the anointing for Music Ministry. A three-octave operatic vocal range or a Master’s Degree in Music is useless without the heart and the anointing. Quality of Heart must always take precedence over educational or instrumental proficiency.
We had a Worship Pastor at one church who led songs for the congregation. We never thought much of it until our pastor forced him to sing a special that showed the voice he really had. Yeah, he was awesome. But we’d never have known it from the keys and ranges he led us in, in which we all could sing.
The position of Music Minister exists for the sake of supporting the Praise Team in their efforts to lead God's People into God's Presence. It is a servanthood position, first.
Likewise, the sound technician is responsible to the Music Minister and must provide all the Praise team with the monitor and sound enforcement they need to "perform" in the Spirit.