Leader Contact:
Important Times:
Wednesday Nights:
This is our regular weekly service opportunity where all our hard work comes to fruition.
This is our regular weekly service opportunity where all our hard work comes to fruition.
- Rehearsal: 5:00pm (Pre-requisite to play in services)
- Kids Worship: 6:00pm
- Student Worship: 6:15pm
Workshops:
Held once or twice a semester, this is a time for us to explore and grow in worship together outside the confines of a service time.
Held once or twice a semester, this is a time for us to explore and grow in worship together outside the confines of a service time.
- Team Worship Gatherings
- Bible studies
- Trainings or How-to's
Special Events:
These are outside our normal routine, but are great opportunities for extra growth as a worshiper and musician.
These are outside our normal routine, but are great opportunities for extra growth as a worshiper and musician.
- Sunday Morning Services (9:30am & 11am)
- Student Ministry Outings
SWT BASICS
Authenticity (in culture & relationships)
Psalm 86:11 - Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
This is first and foremost for us, not just on the SWT, but most importantly as followers of Christ. Our goal is to “ascribe glory” to God, and we cannot do that without being our own authentic selves-who God made us to be. When we are living authentically, we seek God’s guidance first and choose to be honest about where we are at. We accept our imperfections. And instead of turning to guilt and shame, we seek to mirror Psalm 86:11. We don’t built this on the platform (stage), worship leader John Thurlow says: “whatever we build with Jesus off the platform, is what we carry with us onto the platform.”
As worship leaders, we need to make Psalm 86:11 a continual prayer in our lives, to strive after who Christ wants us to be.
This is first and foremost for us, not just on the SWT, but most importantly as followers of Christ. Our goal is to “ascribe glory” to God, and we cannot do that without being our own authentic selves-who God made us to be. When we are living authentically, we seek God’s guidance first and choose to be honest about where we are at. We accept our imperfections. And instead of turning to guilt and shame, we seek to mirror Psalm 86:11. We don’t built this on the platform (stage), worship leader John Thurlow says: “whatever we build with Jesus off the platform, is what we carry with us onto the platform.”
As worship leaders, we need to make Psalm 86:11 a continual prayer in our lives, to strive after who Christ wants us to be.
Clarity (in vision & communication)
Proverbs 29:18 - Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
Philippians 2:1-4 - Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Firstly, we seek Clarity in seeking God about direction for our team. Without it, we lose focus on our "main thing". We become distracted with out-of-place priorities. Secondly, we seek Clarity in the way we interact with one another.
Vision is a direction we receive from God, and we see in Proverbs 29:18 that without it, our focus is distracted. This affects everything we do, and it shows how vital Communication is. Just as we seek vision from God, but also between us as members. We see from Colossians 4:6 that our speech should be grace-filled, with added kindness and wisdom, that we love one another as Christ loved us.
As worship leaders, our communication should always build up, encourage, and guide each other toward ascribing glory to the Lord.
Philippians 2:1-4 - Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Firstly, we seek Clarity in seeking God about direction for our team. Without it, we lose focus on our "main thing". We become distracted with out-of-place priorities. Secondly, we seek Clarity in the way we interact with one another.
Vision is a direction we receive from God, and we see in Proverbs 29:18 that without it, our focus is distracted. This affects everything we do, and it shows how vital Communication is. Just as we seek vision from God, but also between us as members. We see from Colossians 4:6 that our speech should be grace-filled, with added kindness and wisdom, that we love one another as Christ loved us.
As worship leaders, our communication should always build up, encourage, and guide each other toward ascribing glory to the Lord.
Consistency (in Christ and calling)
Colossians 2:6-7 - Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
1 Peter 4:10 - As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.
NBA players usually practice 2hrs per day, 5 days per week. Orchestra members practice around 20hrs per week. Pro runners run anywhere from 90 to 140 miles per week. What do all of these things have in common? If I am a violin player, I need to CONSISTENTLY play so I don’t lose finger callouses. If I run or lift weights, I need to CONSISTENTLY eat and sleep to support my workouts. The same is true for our relationship with God and the gifts He has given us. Growing roots in these areas takes a while and can be tough, but this is the process of God shaping and molding us into who HE wants us to be.
As worship leaders, we need to authentically strive for consistency with God and in growing our gifts.
1 Peter 4:10 - As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.
NBA players usually practice 2hrs per day, 5 days per week. Orchestra members practice around 20hrs per week. Pro runners run anywhere from 90 to 140 miles per week. What do all of these things have in common? If I am a violin player, I need to CONSISTENTLY play so I don’t lose finger callouses. If I run or lift weights, I need to CONSISTENTLY eat and sleep to support my workouts. The same is true for our relationship with God and the gifts He has given us. Growing roots in these areas takes a while and can be tough, but this is the process of God shaping and molding us into who HE wants us to be.
As worship leaders, we need to authentically strive for consistency with God and in growing our gifts.
Excellence (in the way we serve)
Romans 12:1 - I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Psalm 33:3 - Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
The Bible has many mentions of excellence. When it talks about it in the context of worship, it always is a matter of authenticity. That means we are doing our very best to glorify the Lord, regardless of our current skill level. So as long as we are playing and serving at our best level, we are doing so with excellence. This is what Romans 12:1 is talking about, by living our life as a worshipful sacrifice.
As worship leaders, our foundation is serving and sacrificing for the Lord, balanced with pushing ourselves in playing skillfully.
Psalm 33:3 - Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
The Bible has many mentions of excellence. When it talks about it in the context of worship, it always is a matter of authenticity. That means we are doing our very best to glorify the Lord, regardless of our current skill level. So as long as we are playing and serving at our best level, we are doing so with excellence. This is what Romans 12:1 is talking about, by living our life as a worshipful sacrifice.
As worship leaders, our foundation is serving and sacrificing for the Lord, balanced with pushing ourselves in playing skillfully.