AFEWMOMENTSWITH
THE PROPER CARE AND HANDLING OF A WORSHIP TEAM UTILITY PLAYER
CONTENTS:
equipped with the spiritual gift of helps. This gift
ability. For example, some utility players can
One (1) Utility Player
makes them almost incapable of saying NO.
drum in a pinch and keep a reasonably steady
So remember, available shouldn’t always equal
beat. But ask those same players to hold their
scheduled.
own on a tom-heavy, driving anthem (while
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
The Utility Player is a worship team member
staying steady with a click track), and you’ll find
who can fulfill multiple roles on the worship
Here are some other things you’ll need to know
they just can’t hang. So encourage your utility
team, which likely includes a number of
about your U.P.:
player to grow in his primary instrument as your
instrumental roles and, quite possibly, sound
team develops.
THE PRIMARY INSTRUMENT:
tech and/or vocalist.
Regardless of what he says, he does have a
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE:
primary and favorite instrument to play. Find
Here are the final two things you need to know
Congratulations! You are the fortunate recipient
out what that is and intentionally schedule him
about utility players.
of a worship team utility player (or U.P.).
there as often as possible. He’ll appreciate it.
Lost your bass player this week?
Even with the utmost scheduling restraint on
First, despite the moniker, he's not a tool to be
He can cover it.
your part, your U.P. will find himself scheduled
used. Schedule him with restraint to ensure a
Got a drummer shortage?
more often than the average worship team
long and happy life on your team. And second:
You’re in luck! He used to play in college.
member. While burnout is a potential risk, there
No. Human cloning is not a viable option, no
Need a warm pad underscoring “Good
is another danger lurking for this musical Swiss
matter how much you’d like have three of him.
Army knife.
Good Father”?
He’s on that like a rat on a Cheeto.
AS YOUR TEAM GROWS:
SCHEDULING:
As your team grows and you have fewer holes
Now that you're full of giddy delight, it’s time to
to plug, your utility player will begin to play less
schedule him.
often. He may take this scheduling downturn
as personal and feel unwanted. You’ll want to
PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
make sure he understands why and reaffirm his
Your natural inclination will be to schedule him
value to the team.
JON NICOL
35 year veteran of the
worship technology arena
with a passion for excellence
balanced by the knowledge
digital is a temporary state.
WorshipTeamCoach.com
for every open spot on every Sunday between
now and Christmas 2019. If you do this, the
Finally, the jack-of-all/master-of-none role can
endless stream of Sundays will suck his soul dry
be exactly what you need for a certain season
rendering him useless (except for the occasional
of your worship team’s development. But
living room performance of “Rosanna”). It’s also
eventually, your minimum standard for some
important to note that many U.P.s also come
instruments may surpass this generalist’s
WORDS FROM THE EDITOR
and support for this magazine and the Christian
Howard Rachinski, founder of CCLI. I
part of. Your leadership and company culture
first heard about Howard when I dropped
have done so much to bless the international
off some magazines at a youth retreat in
worship community.
continued from page 8
Musician Summit conferences that we are
Portland, many years ago. Howard had just
left and everyone spoke so highly of him.
So my friends, grab your smartphone or iPad,
Nearly two decades later, we are thrilled to
download the free Layar app, turn the page
honor his induction into the Gospel Music
and jump right in to see what this issue has in
Association’s Hall of Fame. God’s favor on
store for you…
his life is as much about who he is as it is
photo: Diana Rush
54
for what he has accomplished. Thank you
Lord Bless Ya!
Howard and CCLI for your partnering spirit
Bruce & Judy
Jul Aug 2016
WorshipMusician.com