How to be a Healthy Team Member: 

The 7 Rules of Engagement

Building a thriving worship team requires more than just musical skill; it demands engagement. At WorshipTeamCoach.com, we believe that being a healthy team member is synonymous with being ENGAGED. But what does that mean in terms of fostering an exceptional worship ministry?  

Let’s start with what it doesn’t look like: whether it’s a lack of commitment, unpreparedness, or an unreceptive attitude, these traits can hinder the overall productivity and harmony of the team. Even a few members displaying such behaviors can contribute to an unhealthy dynamic. You’re only as strong as your weakest link, right? That’s true in many areas, and it holds true here as well. One person who isn’t totally on board brings the whole team down. So what does it look like if your team is totally engaged?

The Rules of Engagement 

Engagement is a rich and multifaceted concept. God’s Word tells us that we are not to be lukewarm, be either hot or cold! If you want a healthy, functional worship team, you need each member to totally buy in- no lukewarm volunteers here. That means in every sense, you need to be plugged in and engaged. What does that look like? 

1. Engage with God: 

At the core of worship leadership is engaging with God; it’s essential for a deep connection. Trusting in James 4:8, team members deepen their relationship with God, ensuring undivided hearts focused on worship. Attracting and holding fast to God’s presence is a reminder that God is the one who engages us. A growing relationship with God is the cornerstone of a healthy team, and without that, everything else just loses significance. 

2. Engage with Leadership: 

It’s not just a control thing- it is absolutely mission-critical that team members commit to following the guidance of their leadership. Of course, good leadership comes with its own guidelines, like Romans 13 and Hebrews 13, and this doesn’t mean there won’t be any conflict at all. We’re each part of the body and have something to contribute! 

Entering into conflict with leadership, (iron sharpens iron) is important at the right time, (the middle of rehearsal is not that time). Teams should embrace conflict as a means of growth, fostering open communication and addressing issues constructively. But at the end of the day, you need to be able to trust your leadership enough to follow them even if you don’t necessarily agree. 

3. Engage with Other Team Members: 

Team members need to navigate healthy conflict not only with leadership, but also among themselves. Chemistry can’t be forced, but cultivating a healthy atmosphere where everyone is safe to share and grow directly leads to a more collaborative and productive team. Just like Paul’s example of one body/many members, a worship team should be working together like gears in a machine. Despite their differences, when working together, they produce something greater than the sum of their parts. 

4. Engage with the Congregation: 

Team members should be actively engaging the congregation simply by their presence during worship. Whether it’s verbal, musical, or visual engagement, there are a lot of ways to contribute to leading the congregation in worship. We have a whole course on Platform Presence that you can learn more about at WorshipTeamCoach.com. 

5.  Engage with the Church: 

Team members must also be committed to the church, fully integrated with the vision and ministry. There should be a covenant type of commitment with the local body, leading by example- just showing up on Sundays to play isn’t truly healthy. I’m not saying you have to be at every event and do everything yourself, but be involved! I encourage my team after our sound check to get their “10” in before we begin our Sunday morning gathering. (10 handshakes, fist-bumps, hugs, etc.) Our church needs to see and feel that the worship team is part of the body of believers and not just a Christian cover band.

6. Engage with the Music: 

Obviously, getting engaged with the music is crucial. Mastery of their chosen instrument- whether voice, keys, guitar, drums, banjo, kazoo, or tech- allows team members to engage in worship effortlessly, making the music a natural extension of their worship rather than a job. It can’t just be mechanical, it has to be deeply heartfelt. 

7. Engage with the Process:

 In wrapping up, let’s recognize that the journey of transforming a worship team into a vibrant and connected community is no accidental feat. It hinges on our commitment to engaging with the processes and systems that fuel our collective efforts.

Consider scheduling and music planning not just as routine tasks but as the heartbeat of our collaboration. When each team member assumes responsibility for these elements, a powerful synergy emerges, allowing us to achieve more together than we ever could alone.

This intentional effort to interlock with our team’s systems is the key to not only efficiency but to the creation of a thriving community. Our collective commitment to these foundational elements of engagement is the cornerstone of building a worship ministry that not only serves our congregation but also nurtures individual and spiritual growth.

So, as we step forward into this journey, let’s embrace the deliberate engagement with our processes. It’s not just about what happens on the platform; it’s about the shared commitment to growth, connection, and creating something truly meaningful. As we immerse ourselves in this journey, our worship community will undoubtedly flourish, becoming a testament to the power of intentional collaboration and shared purpose. There you have it, let’s play by the rules, the Rules of Engagement.

This article was originally published in Worship Musician Magazine, December 2023 issue and has been modified from the original.