Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast & Blog

#15: Creating An Intentional Worship Team Culture [Podcast]

one-worship-collectiveWhether you like it or not, you are building a culture in your worship team.

If you’re not intentional, others will create it for you.

In today’s episode, I provide a teaching on intentional worship team culture as well as share an interview with Ryan Williams of River Valley Music.

We talk about their team’s culture at River Valley, their worship music, as well as the new Integrity Music release, One: A Worship Collective.

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5 Characteristics of Good Culture

  1. A Massive Vision – what are we all about?
  2. Forward Motion – where are we going?
  3. Common Language – how do we communicate the vision?
  4. Apprenticeship – how do we make disciples?
  5. Reproduction – who are we sending out?

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Question: What is your worship team culture all about? Join the discussion and leave a comment by clicking here.

Comments

  2. Jonathan Franzone says

    Hey David, thanks for the podcast; I really enjoyed the interview. I had a question specifically about your comments on common language within your teams culture. Do you think that there is a danger to develop a clique or secret handshake type culture where you are excluding (unintentionally) other musicians within your church body, the church body at large or even outsiders (unbelievers)?

    Thanks again and keep up the good work!

    • David Santistevan says

      Jonathan, I can definitely see how that’s a possibility but as a leader I would never allow it to go there. I should have mentioned this but your worship team language should reflect the language of your church at large. Whatever broad vision your pastor is casting is what you should be talking about as well. That way, it roots your musicians into the culture of the entire church. Make sense?

  3. Don Simpson says

    Hey David, I am pressed for time here, so I didn’t really read the entire article yet. But I agree on having a common language and vocabulary. It’s not an in group or out group or secret word thing. It is about precise communication and efficiency. Every endeavor has its own vocabulary, including music and worship. I encourage amateurs to think seriously about it. Start out by being descriptive in your own words as you adopt the more specific vocabulary of the discipline. Likewise, a music leader shouldn’t deliver complete phrases in Italian, and a tech director shouldn’t sound like an electronics text book, just to show they can. But how do you communicate higher concepts when there is an inequality in knowledge and vocabulary? Gently teach as you direct and lead.

  5. Stacy Sublett says

    Hey David, I agree that it’s important to have a common language/vocab. It’s also vital that words and ideas be fleshed out and well-defined. My role at our church has recently changed, making me more responsible or the direction of worship at one of our sites. I’m learning how key it is to be able to accurately describe vision and values for our teams.

    Thanks for helping us work through this!

  7. Curtis says

    David, I loved this pod cast. Creating a team culture is so important to all ministries. When you are leading a group their has to be a vision. I have had this conversation with leaders in our church. Without the vision, without something to move toward people become stale. If the group can see where they are going and can see the progress, excitement begins to build. Then when you reach the mark you can celebrate as a team which in turn brings the team closer together.
    Once again, I love what you are doing here. I look forward to your emails and the pod casts. May God continue to bless your ministry.

  8. Craig Slezak says

    Thanks again for another great podcast! Thanks also for plugging the Pad Loops again. I think your mention of it again has convinced me to buy them. When I start using them, I’ll be sure to let you know how I like them.

    Through your blogs (that I’m just starting to read) and your podcast (that I’ve been listening to for a few weeks now), I have gained wisdom and encouragement as a leader. You are giving a wonderful gift to the worship-leading community! Keep it up!

    …and I’ll keep listening. 🙂

  9. Marc Daniel Rivera says

    Hey Dave, it’s awesome to see a worship team walking in unity, common vision, with common language/ vocabulary and this is what we are doing in our team. An effective communication within the team is so essential to have an incredible output of service. I appreciate your blogposts, I’m also sharing your posts in my worship blog because I find them really useful. Thank you so much Dave.

    Jesus be lifted high!

    Thanks and Blessings!
    -Marc

  11. Marc Daniel Rivera says

    Everything’s fine and going well. I’ve ‘reblogged’ some of your posts there in my blog. Haven’t you received my tweets of acknowlegement? Anyways, Thanks and more power! You’re such a blessing. Remain blessed 🙂

  15. standingupforJC says

    Right now, our worship team culture is about having intimacy with God. Thank you very much for all the information you just shared via this podcast. May God bless you more! Keep it awesome!

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