Use Preplanned Spontaneity...No,
it's not an oxymoron —
at least not for us! One goal for us is that, every week, there will be
something that we know is going to happen in the service and shows up on our
flow sheet, but it does not appear in the bulletin that the worshipers receive.
It may be a song or a prayer —
nothing usually very big. However, what it
does is never allow the pew sitter to get the feeling they always know what is
coming next. It keeps them more alert and involved.
Ever Thought About Touch Teams?...Most
music ministries have some way of networking with their participants. We call
ours "Touch Teams." Yes, we still have section leaders, etc., but Touch Teams
are the members praying for and encouraging each other. The choir and orchestra
are broken down into groups of 5-8 —
keeping men and women separate! Each group has a facilitator. It is not a heavy
responsibility. We take 15 minutes out of a rehearsal every 4-6 weeks
— depending on
the schedule. The groups get together for 3 succinct purposes: (1) Acquaintance
with others. This is very valuable in any ministry —
large or small. (2) Encouragement. We all need it! (3) Prayer. We all need it
most! The music staff spends time with one group each time. It helps us know the
people better. If there are any needs that come up in the groups that need
pastoral attention, the facilitator can ask permission from the person in need
to share it with us. Try a Touch Team!
Periodicals that I absorb (i.e. read) as soon as they come in the mail!...I
have been known to get certain periodicals and hide out on the steps of the
baptistery so that I can read them immediately without interruption! Here are a
few pieces of reading material that might entice me to disappear for a little
while!
(1) TCMR (The Church Music Report)...This is a real must to keep up with life in church music ministry. It has everything from what publisher just got bought out (with an important new address) to new products that are out or those that are coming. I also like the most purchased music charts, since they help me see where what I'm using fits with others. The charts also help me find a gem or two that I missed.
TCMR (The Church Music Report)
P.O. Box 1179
Grapevine, TX 76099-1179
(817) 488-0141
(817) 481-4191 (FAX)
(2) Creator Magazine...Creator is a great periodical that provides me with some balance. It's a little bit on the "churchy" side but certainly not heavy or burdensome. They have articles directed at specific kinds of issues, such as music in the small church, starting a music school in your church, and rehearsal techniques. Very practical! They also have great anthem and book reviews, as well as a section of clip art. Excellent resource!
451 Hudson
Healdsburg, CA 95448
(800) 777-6713
(707) 473-9068 (FAX)
(3) Worship Leader...This is my balance to the other side. It's a little "light" as a steady diet for me but still necessary resource information. This magazine is loaded with regular column writers like Robert Webber and Ron Allen. (Those guys are far from "light" — so what am I saying?) It has good reviews of contemporary equipment and methods. It also has good reviews of new artist recordings. Though the bent is on the new and what's happenin', they really do surprise me a lot with the opposite view when I least expect it.
(800) 678-9664
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