BETHESDA WORSHIP TEAM APPLICATION/COVENANT

We’re excited that you’re interested in being a part of the worship team at Bethesda Church! It is a fun, challenging, and rewarding ministry. If God has gifted you with musical or technical talent, we want you to be able to use it for His glory! This is a somewhat complex ministry with many moving parts. So for your advantage, and that of the worship ministry as a whole, there is a short process to become a regularly scheduled member of the worship team. Here are the first few steps…

• Prayerfully consider your involvement.

• Please read the following information in its entirety (There is a lot of important information that you will need to know).

• Fill out the application below and click submit.

• Submit your video audition to begin the process of seeing if our Worship Ministry is the right fit for you.

Please send us an email with any questions.

Our email is worship@bethesdachurch.tv

Overview

One of the core values at Bethesda is worship–using our every breath in whatever we do for God’s glory and purpose. We desire to equip our people to live a life of worship, wherever they live, work, study, play or shop. Living in close relationship with God is an awesome and humbling privilege that we encourage at every opportunity. The worship ministry seeks to enhance that relationship by giving our people an opportunity to praise God together in a weekend worship environment, and then sending them out to be God’s hands and feet the other 6 days of the week.

Team Commitment and Expectations

We want worship to be simple. Accessible. Singing to God with a sincere heart does not have or need to be complex. With that said there is a certain level of preparation, planning, and practice that goes into making each and every worship service simple. Because of this, there is an expected level of commitment that is required from the worship team that exceeds other ministries. This commitment can take on many forms. Here are a few practical areas where level of commitment is most evident.

Spiritual Preparation: Worship on a platform is the overflow of a lifestyle of worship and a heart that is well-cultivated throughout the week. Personal spiritual intimacy with Jesus is our FIRST priority. One hour on a Sunday morning is a mere .6% of a week. If the only time you “worship” is .6% of your week, something is wrong. How can we lead people where we haven’t gone ourselves?

Musical Preparation: Rehearsals are infinitely smoother when everyone has listened to, practiced with and memorized the scheduled music. Being prepared also means having any gear or equipment that you intend to use on Sunday with you for practice (lyric sheets or chord charts are provided on Planning Center Online – more on this later). Unless otherwise posted, you are expected to learn your parts exactly like the Track, giving special attention to the tonal qualities of each instrument. For teamwork to happen effectively, we rely on you to play your part accordingly.

Attitude: When ideas or suggestions are presented and received with a good attitude, the results are monumental for effective team building. If there are technical, musical or miscellaneous complications, keep attitudes positive and morale high. Be open to the constructive criticism of the Worship Pastor, Vocal Director, or Music Director (MD). They are trying to pull out every bit of greatness in you they can find, so be patient and receptive of constructive feedback. A coachable attitude is a requirement for anyone who wants to become a better leader. We all have authority because we are under authority. The minute we become prideful, thinking it’s about us, we lose our authority. We don’t stand alone. Our ability to lead is solely based on our ability to submit. You have been given authority as you stand and lead. Always remember that.

Punctuality: Everyone’s time is valuable. It’s important that everyone be punctual for rehearsals so that we can use our limited time as efficiently as possible. Arriving early is always a great idea.We are very serious about punctuality. Being on time is a respect issue. Tardiness communicates a lack of respect for your colleagues, for Bethesda, and for the Lord. If an unexpected situation arises and you know you will be late, please communicate as quickly as possible with the worship leader.

Dress: Bethesda has a very relaxed “dress code.” However, there are a few basic requirements. Shoulders, cleavage, and the mid-section should be completely covered at all times. Skirts are allowed but should come down well below the knee. Shorts of any length and any article of clothing with questionable text or graphics should not be worn. Remember, as a member of this team you are a Leader who will lead by a Godly example. We want everyone’s focus to be on God. Anything that takes focus off of Him is a hindrance to our ultimate goal. Should your choice of clothing not meet this standard, you will not be able to lead until it has been resolved. This decision is up to the Worship Pastor and the rest of the Pastoral Staff at Bethesda.

Flexibility: The Worship Pastor and/or band leader always tries to give adequate notice of schedule or setlist changes. While it is not uncommon for these changes to take place, it is only done when necessary. It is recommended that you periodically check back with Planning Center to view any potential changes.

COMMITMENT TO A GODLY LIFESTYLE

*Our team follows the Dream Team Honor Code put into place by our Church’s Leadership. This offers a covering to all of those on our Dream Team, especially those of which who are called to Platform Ministry. Having a covering is important for anyone in ministry, but especially those who are in public, platform ministry. Bethesda Worship is a World Wide ministry. Our online services, recorded music, and team members are seen and heard literally all over the world every week.

Not only that, but more importantly our team is loved and respected by members of our community that span across every age group, lifestyle, and background. Men, Women, and Children see our team leading them in worship each week. It is the responsibility of every member of Bethesda Worship to live a life that is pleasing to Jesus and that upholds Biblical Standards of Christian Living not just for our sake, but for the sake of others who look to our team as an example of what being an authentic, Worshiping (Leader) looks like.

It is our Duty and greatest Honor to represent Bethesda Worship, Bethesda Church, and the Kingdom of God by abiding by this Biblical honor code both in person, and on any form of social media. Being part of our team is a great honor, and it requires an appropriate amount of spiritual maturity and self awareness with what we share, and how we present ourselves both in person and online.*

Worship team members are expected to live a lifestyle that is above reproach, avoiding even the appearance of evil (1 Tim. 3). Being a minister, especially one who is “up front,” adds extra responsibility because people see worship ministers as examples of what a Christian should be like. Therefore, it is imperative that we consider the way we treat each other and carefully guard our hearts from impurities and pride.

It is God’s desire and our desire to see our worship team members living a victorious Christian life, free from bondage. If there is any addiction or issue with which you struggle, please let us know—we are here to help you, not to judge you. Your spiritual health is ALWAYS more important to our team than your ability and availability to serve.

The following issues should be dealt with before any public ministry position is taken:

• alcohol and drug abuse.
• sexual immorality.
• a prideful attitude or anger/rage problems.
• an inability to submit to leadership.
• gossiping and stirring up strife.
• an unbiblical lifestyle.

Audition Process

Auditions begin in the form of video submissions. Once you’ve submitted your appropriate video auditions for your specific instrument or voice you will be contacted by the Worship Pastor with further instructions. All information pertaining to video submissions can be found at http://bethesdachurch.tv/worship-auditions/

Auditions are, by nature, a little intimidating. We will try to make the process as relaxed as possible. In some cases, it may be evident that an applicant’s skills have not developed enough to serve on a regularly scheduled basis. Should this be the case, those conducting the audition will give some advice on how the applicant can improve. After some time and practice another audition may be attempted.

We currently send each audition video to a panel of Worship Leaders, Pastors, and Music Professionals from all over the country to be evaluated. The members of this panel aren’t members of Bethesda Church to ensure no bias.

If the panel decides that now is a good time for you to begin serving with our team, then you will be contacted and given your next steps to finish the audition process. If the panel decides that this audition cycle is not the right time for you, then you will be given helpful feedback and tips for improvement for the next round of auditions.

Additional Steps

Before you begin serving on the weekend, we ask that you come and hang out with the worship team during rehearsals for a few weeks. There are a few reasons for Rehearsal Observations. (R/O)

• Rehearsals cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Being a spectator will allow you to see first-hand how rehearsals flow.

• When you know what to expect at rehearsal, it will allow you to be better prepared when it is your turn.

• It may help you to be more relaxed. Playing or singing with a new group of people can cause some to be nervous. Having multiple chances to meet those you will be serving alongside should calm your nerves.

An additional step will be to have the staff set up an account for you on www.planningcenteronline.com. This is an online service planning website where band members, songs and service flow are scheduled and posted. It allows worship team members to access chord charts and lyric sheets for any of the music we will be playing.

After your account is set up and you have access to the resources you need, you’re ready to go! The Worship Pastor is in charge of scheduling vocalists and instrumentalists. The frequency with which you are scheduled will depend on how many applicants are ahead of you and the information you provide on the application (i.e. experience, availability).

Weekly Schedule

Take a moment to review the schedule below. This is the normal weekly schedule and commitment expectations for those leading in worship on Sunday.

At least 7 Days prior to your scheduled rehearsal (Confirm on Planning Center)

Monday – Wednesday (3–4 hrs)

Thursday Night Rehearsal (2 hrs)

• Arrival and setup (6:30pm-6:50pm)
• Vocal Team / Band Breakout Sessions (7:00pm–7:30pm)
• Full Team Rehearsal (7:30pm–9:00pm)

Friday – Saturday (1 hr)

• Sharpen anything that’s questionable

Sunday (5 hrs)

First Wednesday Schedule

• Arrive at Bethesda no later than 5:50pm
• Prepare any equipment you will need for the evening
• Pre-Service Run-through begins sharply at 6pm-6:30pm

•  Doors Open (6:30)
  Service Begins (7:00pm)