Jan 07 2010

Orientation and Training For Search Teams Looking for a new Minister of Music or Worship Leader Posted 2 years 46 days ago ago by Creator Staff     0 Comments

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This resource was adapted for South Carolina Baptist Churches by Mark Powers, director, Worship & Music Office, South Carolina Baptist Convention, from “Transmap” by Monty Hale.

It is very "practical help” for church members entrusted with serving on the Music Minister/Worship Leader Search Team. This presentation gives the Team a step-by-step process to seek God's person for the high calling of worship leading in their local church.

Mark also has aPowerPoint© presentation available that is really helpful to the congregation and the committee. If you would like this, email Mark at markpowers@scbaptist.org and he will send it to you. Please understand: it is “Baptist” oriented [hence the male pronouns], but still helpful to other denominations.

Getting Ready to Go - A Staff Position is Vacant

• Fill the position temporarily with a volunteer leader as soon as possible.
• Elect and train the Music Search Committee  (Note: Paid music staff who will work under the new Worship Leader’s supervision should not serve on the committee)
• Choose/organize a transition music leadership team to continue to lead ongoing music groups and worship services
• Call full-time Music Ministers and university music departments in your area for referrals
• Utilize musical ministerial staff members, retired leaders in your area, or lay musicians from your congregation for immediate relief
• Determine the type of interim that is needed and clearly define the responsibilities
• Covenant with the interim regarding time, expectations and salary
• Arrange for the interim to meet and coordinate with the transitional music leadership team
• As soon as possible, call an interim music person

Elect and Train the Search Committee

• Could be an existing group, such as the Music Committee, but also could be a new committee representing all facets of the congregation
• Main responsibilities are to keep things going and organized in the church during the interim and begin the search process
• Regular communication--with the pastor, with the interim worship leader & with Search Team--is very important
• Work closely with leaders of other areas of your church and your ministerial staff

Set Your Destination

• Develop a job description for the new Music Worship Leader.
• Discuss and develop a salary/benefits package that can be offered. Be flexible in this area.

Listening Session Agenda   

• Conduct Listening Sessions with choirs, other musical groups, and the congregation and list candidate qualities by priority
• Where have we been in our music program?
• Where are we now? Are we pleased?
• What does God’s future plan look like for the church in the music ministry?
• What is our cultural context—will we reach out beyond the walls of our church?
• What are the top-priority characteristics for a new worship leader?
• Pray together for God’s guidance!

Formulate Travel Plans

• Pray, Pray, Pray as you consider specifics
• Gather resumesAsk the congregation for recommendations
• Contact prominent worship leaders in your area for recommendations
• Contact seminaries, universities and others for resumes and recommendations
• Organize resumes by qualifications
• Send a note to all who sent a resume notifying them it has received it, are praying and will be contact soon: Never leave them hanging! If they are not considered, let them know
• Create Three Categories of resumes:
• 1. Positive  2. Possible  3. Probably Not
• Decide on the top three candidates
• Contact each candidate by letter to let them know they are now being formerly considered, and inform those not being considered
• Thoroughly check candidates’ references and ask candidates for video or audio recordings from their worship services or special presentations, if available

Hit the Road

• Who will be first? Follow this map to find out:
• Consider one candidate at a time! (Very important)
• Conduct an Initial Interview (Conference Call – with entire committee works well)
• Present Job Description to the candidate
• Pray, Pray, Pray
• Visit the candidate on his field
• Conduct a Second Interview
• Clarify any questions or discrepancies
• Determine if you will continue with this candidate or move on to the next
• Allow candidate to meet ministerial staff
• Invite the candidate to visit and observe worship anonymously
• If you move to another candidate, personally advise the first candidate of your decision by phone call from the Search Team chairperson!  (This is VERY IMPORTANT - never leave them guessing)
• If you feel led, continue

Long Trip--Stay on Course

• Determine the financial package for the candidate, including salary and benefits.
• Discuss the package with the candidate and allow for prayerful negotiation.   
• If agreeable, spend time in prayer, then take a vote of the Search Team on whether to call the candidate and if the vote is positive, proceed to plan for a “Call Weekend”
• Then: notify all other candidates by letter that you have progressed to one choice

The “Call Weekend” 

• Create events that give maximum exposure of the candidate to as many people as possible
• Friday evening meeting with staff and church administrative leadership
• Saturday morning Q & A with Music leadership
• Saturday afternoon rehearsal with Choir, Praise Team, Orchestra, Bell Choir (i.e. groups which the person will lead)
• Saturday evening meal or reception,introduction by Music Search Committee and Q & A from the church, music ministry people and others
• Sunday morning: Candidate leads worship
• Sunday morning or evening: Vote by secret ballot
• Notify candidate and when candidate responds, announce to church

Hooray! Done! (Almost)

• During weeks between “Call Weekend” and arrival of new staff member: (This is a very important time--stay engaged in the process)
• Say goodbye to the interim and express appreciation
• Prepare the church for arrival of new leader
• Communicate needs of new ministry family’s arrival
• Transition Committee and Music Search Committee work hand in hand to make sure church is prepared for new leader and family’s arrival 
• Plan a Welcome Party. Shower love on your new minister from the beginning

Unpacking and Moving In

• First Sunday with a new Worship Leader is very important
• Alert Local papers and media
• Church Banner welcome sign
• Search Team clear calendar in order to be present
• Meals provided for first few nights on field
• Staff and administrative leadership paves the way so that New Minister and family are not“stressed out”
• Model servant leadership during this important time in the life of the church
• Keep checking in over the next six weeks to make sure their moving/transition needs are met
• Continually Praise God for His guidance in the process
• It’s been a great journey! Enjoy your new worship leader! He/she is God’s choice so affirm that fact everyday throughout their tenure
• Lead the church to:
• Pray for him
• Cooperate with him
• Take care of him
• Follow his leadership
• Love him

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