Being a member of the praise team or band at Bloom Baptist Church may be a volunteer position, but it is one with a great amount of responsibility behind it. We are to seek to worship the Father in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). As a member of the praise team/band, you will also be a leader of the congregation to worshipping the Father in spirit and truth, so we must endeavor to lead well. Due to that, being a member of the Worship Ministry and Bloom Baptist Church comes with a certain set of expectations. Note that these requirements are for praise team and band. Choir will always be open to any who want to participate, though it is recommended that members of Bloom Choir strive to meet the spiritual expectations as well.

Spiritual Expectations

• Regular Church Attendance
  First and foremost, any current or potential member of Bloom Baptist’s Worship Ministry should be an active member of the church who is in regular attendance in Sunday services. A member of the praise team/band should be a member of the body he or she is serving—attending only for the services in which you are on a praise team or band will not be allowed—if this behavior is observed, he or she may be asked to step down from his or her position in this ministry.  We are to seek the “unity of faith,” as Paul instructs in Ephesians 4, and attending only to sing or play music is a detriment to that.
• Spiritual Disciplines
  Any member of the Bloom Worship Ministry must be disciplined in the areas of their spiritual life. Members of the Worship Ministry must maintain a healthy and growing love of God, knowledge of Scripture, a focus on the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, all while maintaining a desire to see God alone glorified. Members of the Worship Ministry should be seeking to bear the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, as each one develops towards sanctification and Christ-likeness.
• Desire For God’s Glory
  For the healthy communal worship of the body, one must maintain a healthy lifestyle of worship beyond our time together on Sunday mornings. Psalm 51:17 says “For the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” In Romans 12:1 we are instructed, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Worship and praise of the Almighty God is about Him and Him alone, we are to leave ourselves behind, for “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” We are leading the congregation to the throne by being on praise team/band, so let us lead them with humility, so as not to lead them astray.

Musical Expectations

• Able to Read and/or Follow Basic Music Notation
  Members of the Worship Ministry should be capable of, or at the very least willing to learn, basic musical notation. Members of the worship ministry should be able to identify lower and higher pitches, to read or hear harmony, and for band members, able to read and follow a lead sheet. This is especially important for members of the band—you will not be able to function as a member of the team if you cannot read or follow music.
• Practice Beyond Sunday Rehearsals
  As mentioned previously, we need to be able to lead others well. Part of that is to remain committed to practicing and preparing for worship even before Sunday morning. Members of the Worship Ministry should be practicing for the upcoming Sunday throughout the week—whether that be a vocal or instrumental part. Sunday morning sound checks are not your primary time to rehearse or learn the music for Sunday. Sacrifice is a part of worship, and that may mean a sacrifice of time throughout the week to prepare well for Sunday.
• Commitment
  Being involved in the Worship Ministry is much more than just singing or playing music on Sunday. Those who choose to volunteer in the Worship Ministry are committing to give up a sizeable amount of their time. Those who are part of the Worship Ministry, depending on their role, are committing to regularly attend scheduled rehearsals, morning sound checks on Sundays, and being present for all services on the Sundays they are assigned. As a general rule, if you have not given advance notice that you will not be present for a praise team/band rehearsal on Sunday afternoon/evening, or Sunday morning soundcheck, you will not be allowed to participate from the stage on Sunday morning (exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis). Presence and commitment to regular rehearsals is important in making sure one is prepared, but taking the time of preparation beforehand for granted cannot be tolerated or allowed.