WORSHIP TEAM COACH
[ FIVE AUDITION TACTICS TO BUILD THE WORST TEAM EVER | Jon Nicol ]
After years of ministry, I believe I’ve cracked the TACTIC #2: THE ZERO-PREP AUDITION Church growth statistics don’t lie: pretty people
code to building a lousy worship team. It’s all Now speaking of low bars, one way to make on the platform are GREAT for attendance.
about the audition and qualification process. the audition easy for your potential “worship
rockstars” is to let them choose their own
I’ve tried a lot of different ways to qualify new audition song. Don’t push them out of their TACTIC #4: LONE DECISION-MAKING
musicians and techs. Through little trial and comfort zone by asking them to prepare If you want to be a leader of a truly awful team,
much error, I’ve found five tactics guaranteed to something they don’t already know. always assume that you know best. Period.
Don’t bring other leaders or trusted team
help you build the worst worship ministry. Ever.
They’ll practice enough once they get on the members in on the audition process. You’re
Here’s the thing: anyone can build an average team, right? So why overburden them now by fully capable of assessing the competency,
team. But it takes a potent combination of requiring them to needlessly learn a song that character, and calling of EVERY potential
appalling audition tactics to grow a truly would demonstrate their ability to serve on the musician or tech who tries out.
terrible team. Now, each of these tactics taken worship team?
One of your team members might pick up on
by themselves will guarantee some level of
an issue that you supposedly missed, and that
dysfunction on your team. But eventually,
through enough neglect and disregard for good TACTIC #3: TALENT TRUMPS ALL would be quite unacceptable. Sure, as a hip
leadership practices, you may find yourself I’m going to let you in on a little secret: attitude worship leader you can “be vulnerable” and
combining several of these tactics to build the and character are WAY overrated. What you admit mistakes like “caring too much” or “trying
worst worship ministry ever. want is someone with killer musical chops. too hard in your pursuit of excellence.” But if
they try to call you on a real mistake, things will
Let’s look at each of these awful audition If she’s a diva soprano, it’s OK. The constant
tactics. eye-rolling and condescending remarks to the
not end well.
alto is just a part of her sheer awesomeness.
Or maybe you’ll get an amazing lead guitarist TACTIC #5: NEVER SAY NO
TACTIC #1: THE FOUR-CHORD-PULSE-CHECK who’s a tad arrogant. So he shreds during altar Let’s face it: it’s SUPER awkward for you
Do NOT waste your time getting to know a calls—no big deal. It’s the cost of talent. to say “No” to someone who isn’t qualified
spiritually or musically. So if you struggle with
person musically, relationally, or spiritually. If
they have a heartbeat and can play the 1, 5, Seriously, if a person has an incredible musical confrontation, just have a “No NO policy.” That
6m, 4 in the key of G on the guitar, they’re on ability, that should always outweigh heart makes life soooo much easier in the short term.
the platform. THIS WEEK. issues. I mean, would you really want team
And by the way, each instrument’s “four chord
members who “get along” and have “great And if you invite someone on the team who
attitudes” but are just average musicians? you find is devastatingly pitchy, or tragically off-
tempo, or is just plain weird, start scheduling
requirement” is a little different. The underlying
principle here is to NOT set the bar too high.
Yeah, I didn’t think so.
him less and less. Eventually, he’ll quit and go
to another church.
And definitely, don’t implement any qualifying By the way, as a leader looking to build a highly elements like an application or a multiple dysfunctional team, you need to know when to So again, you don’t have to do all these
interview process that involves your core break the rules. So here’s an exception to talent tactics—or even most of them—to have a truly
team members. Sure, that might help you find trumping all else: if the person is young and terrible team. Just practicing one or two of
committed people and let you get to know attractive and will look awesome on the stage, these appalling audition tactics can ensure an
a person’s heart. But dang, that could take you can ease up on the skill requirements. unhealthy ministry for years to come.
months! You need someone NOW.
August 2017
WorshipMusician.com
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