Info and expectations
A Note From Kurt
The Calvary LIVE Worship Band exists to lift the amazement level of God through corporate worship. Our goal is to craft worship experiences that are beautiful and biblical. We strive to worship in both spirit and truth, creating worship that embraces both the MAJESTY and the MYSTERY of our God.
I want to thank you for your interest in the area of music ministry at Calvary Church. We believe strongly that leading God’s people into worship is a calling on one’s life and is not to be taken lightly. The following is designed to let you know what is expected of a worship team member so that you may make a well- informed decision.
At Calvary Church we are seeking to cultivate a culture of people that enjoy God and find fulfillment in the worship of Him. We were created to worship God and one of the integral areas in which we corporately worship Him is in the singing of His praises on a weekly basis. This task is something we take seriously in the CalvaryLIVE Band. We believe God has gifted all of us with unique gifts and it is our goal to see you be able to serve the local church with those gifts in what ever area is appropriate.
My prayer is that you will make use of the talents God has given you in the right area of the local church and that he will guide you in your decision making process.
Expectations
Calvary Church exists to glorify God by helping people enjoy Him as we see lives changed forever. We believe that every detail matters and we have the responsibility to create a distraction free environments so all can worship freely in SPIRIT and in TRUTH. The following information is critical to helping us achieve that goal. Though the heart of those leading on stage is the most important element, the responsibility of those leading is elevated because we want to represent Christ well and give him our very best in every detail. These expectations are intended to help us and you maintain a high level of excellence and to provide a distraction free environment for those who have joined us for worship.
Personal Responsibilities:
The daily pursuit of Jesus and through His Spirit, His Word and His community.
Avoid the appearance of evil, conducting life with Christ-like integrity in all situations.
Remember you represent Christ and Calvary Church wherever you go.
A personal commitment to healthy relationships and unity in God’s church.
Cultivating a heart that longs for others to see and experience the glory and goodness of our God.
Performance Responsibilities:
There is rehearsal from 7:00-8:00 PM on the Wednesday before the weekend services you have been scheduled for.
Sound check begins promptly at 7:00am on Sunday morning. Call time is however early you need to arrive to be set-up, ready, and waiting by the time sound check is to start. Usually about 10 minutes prior to sound check. Be punctual and prepared.
Always arrive in enough time to be set-up and completely ready to go before sound check for rehearsal and weekend services.
All scheduling is done through Planning Center Online. Promptly accept or decline any dates sent to you.
Charts and “boosted part ” MP3s for the weekend services are posted on Planning Center in advance. You are responsible for contacting the Worship or Music Director if there is a problem with receiving the materials.
Our preference is for you to know the songs inside and out but Sunday so that you are free of charts and free to worship.
All team members must have the ability to play live, with a “click” track (metronome).
When items are being discussed during practice, please do not play your instrument so that everyone is able to pay attention.
During the worship experience, look like you enjoy being there! When you are engaging, the rest of the people will be engaged and your lack of excitement will not be a distraction. Sing along, smile and allow yourself to worship.
All members are required to sit in one of the three morning services for the sermon portion of the morning. We are a part of our church family and not above or other-than! We need to sit under the Word!
Please beware of volume while backstage and if at all possible keep all conversation during service in green room.
Make sure that you are ready to play and backstage when there are 5 minutes remaining in the message.
If you must leave the backstage area or green room area make sure that your team members or the Director of Worship know where you are.
Do not leave water bottles or other trash on stage during the worship service.
Please clean up your stuff and do not leave trash in the green room after services have ended.
Please enter and exit the stage as promptly and quietly as possible as to not be a distraction.
If there are consistent violations of any of the issues addressed in this agreement, such as excessive tardiness or lack of preparation, you may not be asked to serve with us again.
Remember, everything we do is to help lead people to lift up the name of our God and to see lives changed by experiencing HIS presence. We desire people who do not know Jesus to see life in us, and for people who do know HIM, to see our example as we lead worship. What you do and how you lead is so important.
Dress Code
These guidelines do not necessarily reflect what may be appropriate for everyday life, but rather what will be most effective in leading our congregation at Calvary in worship. Please remember that we serve in a multi-generational context at Calvary and so our goal is to allow all who come through our doors each week to see Christ, and not to be in any way distracted by our dress. We are up front and center when we are leading, not only serving as an example as to how to worship together corporately, but also in how we dress and conduct ourselves.
My hope for this is that we all catch the heart of these guidelines. We must be governed and driven by love for each other, striving to serve each other above ourselves and laying down what may be our own preferences and rights for the good of God’s people and His glory. I know that sounds lofty but it truly must be our motivation. Love and service to each other. (Romans 14, Galatians 5:13) This is where I want us to find the balance. I am NOT interested in writing a bunch of rules and then having to police them every week! Rather, my goal is to provide the heart first and then some simple guidelines. We just want to give special attention to dressing in a way that does not draw attention to ourselves. I love and appreciate you all and my goal is for all of us to freely lead our congregation in worship, striving to minimize any distractions that could get in the way of that.
Thank You!
Kurt
MEN
Things to Avoid:
large logos and prints on shirts
bright or “loud” colors
deep v-necks
tight shirts
flip-flops or sandals
shorts
sloppy or overly baggy items
large rips in jeans
Things to Embrace:
black or dark wash jeans
muted color chinos
plain t-shirts
muted color plaid shirts
jean jackets and other light jackets
life style sneakers
boots
WOMEN:
Things to Avoid:
leggings/jeggings/tights of any sort
yoga pants
large gaping rips in pants
any rips above the knee
shorts
dresses or skirts of any kind
bright or “loud” colors
deep v or low-scooped-neck shirts
mid-riff level shirts (any top that can expose your mid-riff is to be avoided)
open back shirts
sleeveless tops
lace, mesh or crocheted- type tops
spaghetti-straps or strapless tops
high heeled shoes
Things to Embrace:
dark wash or black jeans (skinny, boyfriend, mom cuts)
muted color pants
tops that extend to mid thigh
shirts with modest neck lines
plain t-shirts with long cardigans
shirts that cover your midriff with arms extended in worship
long button up shirts
muted color plaid shirts
ankle booties
dressy sandals
lifestyle sneakers
modestly colored scarves
tasteful jewelry
Please note, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list and is only meant as a basic guideline that will help us all. As a rule of thumb, if you have questions about an item, it’s probably wise to choose something else. It would be a great idea to plan ahead with several items of clothing that you know will work well under these guidelines in order to simplify your Sunday mornings!
THANK-YOU so much for your willingness to serve with your musical talents, and also for your cooperation with this! We appreciate each of you very much.