How to build worship teams (Worship Leaders)

Brian and Bryce and talk through several key points that we feel are crucial when it comes to building a strong, healthy worship team in your church. We believe these points to be applicable to churches of any size and style.
Worship Tutorials exists to equip and empower worship leaders and musicians to create awesome worship environments. We upload almost every day - subscribe to stay up to date with song play throughs, tutorials, lessons, gear reviews, and leadership insight.
Web: www.worshiptutorials.com
Facebook: / worshiptutorials
Instagram: / worshiptutorials
Twitter: / wrshptutorials

[@wolvesattack100]

Our church is so small that we have only one team, and we pretty much all multitask. I not only sing backup (and sometimes lead) but I run projection remotely as I sing. I also do the video editing. Our pastor is also a guitarist and singer. Oh, to be able to find more people willing to work...

[@Jonamaldo]

Maybe it is time to re-think your “why” and ask yourself if all those things (multitask) are really essential or important… don’t over complicate what it is suppose to be a blessing… Focus in just one thing: Seek for his kingdom… and avoid #burnout

[@Jonamaldo]

Curious to see how are you doing one year later after this post?

[@carmenjoseph5143]

"If you're happy in your heart, Tell your face." That's a T shirt, Billboard and a message to the world. Thank you Sir!

[@alfromtx245]

Good reminder! I keep reminding myself and the team, but I still forget sometimes and end up looking angry. :(

[@fearsmarcus]

"If you're happy in your heart, tell your face." That'll preach...love it. Keep up the great work gentlemen.

[@michaelalberts9539]

Thanks for doing all these kind of videos Brian. I have just applied and got accepted into my churches worship team as an electric/acoustic guitar player and all these videos really are helping me to just kinda get ready for it. I have learned pretty much all I know about guitar from your videos over the past 2 years and I know that I would be nowhere near able to play with my church if it weren't for you. So I just wanted to say thanks for helping me to achieve something that I would have only dreamed of doing a few years ago.

[@mattschuster3754]

with unspeakable sighs for His Kingdom... well-done guys and thank you!

[@SaintLewisMusic]

This is one of the best Worship videos I've ever stumbled upon. Thank you, guys. I'm going to listen/watch this multiple times.

[@randallhrna3551]

Such a good idea to build much bigger teams, I really believe many more would love to be a part of the worship teams if we recruit. Not being the lead paid worship leader though, our church doesn't seem to have a vision as to why this is important does bother me, but I'm praying for an opening to talk about it, because I believe God wants to grow the kingdom, and for us to express our gifts and callings, and make room for that. Lots of great advice here, I think it's important that we have multiple others for fulfillment, and to prevent burnout. Thanks guys!

[@cristopherzelaya4116]

This is awesome!! Hope you guys start making more content like this.

[@Anfulcar]

THANK YOU!! May God keep using you!

[@MicahFarmermad]

You guys really clarified what a good worship leader should be like. I have been working on building a worship team at our church, and it’s not entirely easy. But like you said, caring about the person comes first, and their talents second. Thank you both for making this video, well worth 25 minutes of my time 👍🏻

[@alexcochell690]

Wow thank you guys so much for this. I am a member of our worship team at a college ministry in Montana, and last semester we decided that we did want a more formalized organized worship team. Before, it was very spotty and we never knew if we would actually have someone to play the next week at services. People were getting burnt out and it was a vicious cycle for sure. Within not even a year from that point our team has about 10 members and we are growing and trying to create a worship culture and ministry. We just want to be able to lead everyone with the best of our abilities that God has given us. God is so good, and this video was definitely released in His timing as we are dealing with a lot of these same issues. Its a difficult thing to not only build a worship team like you were saying but doing that while leading a weekly small group as most of us do and being a full time student at a difficult school. Our love for Jesus is driving us and bringing us to new places where we have never been, so I deeply appreciate your heart for helping people like myself and my team. I will be showing them this video tonight at our practice.

[@paule4696]

This is a great part 1 in building a team. I would love to hear your thoughts of how to keep your team members once they've committed to serve. Building fellowship within the team and providing the tools necessary to be successful with a minimum of stress is so important in maintaining the team you're building. God Bless.

[@calebrowe3515]

Absolutely Awesome counsel and advice in every which way! Taking worship seriously and involving lots of people using their gifts! This bring praise to Jesus the giver of gifts to His church. pr

[@sha3859]

This is a great help for us in our Church. Thank you so much. God bless you more. To God be the glory.

[@abigaelb4736]

Wow so helpful! Thank you soo much I have been praying to God for him to help me and teach me to be a better worship leader especially recruiting people!! Thank you so much.

[@JonnyPublicPK]

Great info to pass along!! Thanks for your commitment to His kingdom, and sharing!! Reach, Teach, Release!! Amen to that!!! Blessings from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada!!!

[@xaviermercado2079]

Blessed time hearing all of the great insight to form a worship core band that will glorify the church!

[@chrishernandez9277]

Thanks for the advice, especially about finding more members, I've really struggled to get more people, all I have besides me is a drummer and two vocalist so I'm learning all the other parts by myself, keyboard guitar bass and its just overwhelming, so I really appreciate the video so !much

[@amunoz61]

You guys are such a blessing.

[@janenehall5419]

This was so awesome!!! Thank you for this great advice!!!

[@michaelcarpenter9745]

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing. We are just setting out on our journey as worship leaders. Not the best musicians in the world but not the worst either and with open hearts and expectations that god will provide our needs. We really like the song tutorials and they have improved our ability to play to a congregations. May you continue to be blessed...

[@Herezlulu]

Thank you so much for sharing this. This is really great.

[@matvieiracam]

“If you’re happy in your heart, tell your face.” 😂😂😂😂

[@acousticzyim4067]

Hi I'm a fresh and imperfect worship team leader here at my small church and I have been looking tips, ideas and advices on how to lead worship I mean all about worship. I've been learning a lot from you and still wanting to learn more. Still Learning all worship songs and chords through you and all those ambient pads. Hoping great advises days to come. Thank you.

[@johnathanarmstrong1554]

This is perfect. Thanks guys!!

[@alfromtx245]

Great stuff! I lead worship for a smaller church (100+). We have a worship team, but finding extra volunteers has been tough. You'd think that in a church this size, it would be easy to connect with everyone. But there are still people I haven't met. Not that I'm not trying. It's just that some people always leave the split second church is over. We'll also get younger people who are interested, but who have a million things going on with school, so they could never make rehearsal. There are challenges, but God has brought us a long way.

[@jeezy7467]

Thanks for the awesome video guys. Loved hearing you share from the heart and also took away mountains of practical wisdom. Godbless! LJ, Vibe Church Australia

[@jesicalima9303]

Pretty chruch. Hey brothers thank you for this video..very helpful. We are starting a church here in orangewalk Belize and we are trying to create a worship team. Please pray for us brothers and for a place to worship. We have faith our God will provide all that we need.

[@brandonwalters3030]

God bless you my brothers!

[@BuckWicker]

Very helpful video. I look forward to more of the same.

[@danieldominick5602]

Thank you gents.

[@joshmerrill8626]

Wonderful content to think about! You talked about being on time and this is something I struggle with with my team. Some members "can't" get there at the specific time I have set aside for practice to start which makes it hard to actually practice. But I come from a very small church to where i actually only have one or maybe two of each instrument. Where is the line of it's still better to have the instrument than an on time musician or not have that instrument if the musician can't be there on time? This is one of a few areas i'm struggling with on my worship team.

[@vinfredeikos919]

hi Brian.. I'm really blessed by your tutorials. I wanted to ask you about Dynamics in the church band.. It has been almost a year since I joined the worship team.. but as a guitar player I really wanted to know my role in the worship band.. I wanted to know what to do during transitions or like, how to create a worship atmosphere.. Thank you :)

[@tonydesoto8891]

Love the conversation while driving in the car. Sort of like Pulp Fiction. 😆

[@29housestudio92]

Try doing all that and not be paid ..true commitment and obedience to God...blessings

[@revfred2008]

Brian and Bryce this is very helpful, in a lot of points you two have made are tools I use. It is so important going in with a plan under the direction of the church's vision and pastor's permission. Thank you guys. I grew as a church musician and vocalist since I was 12 and minister of music since 18. So from 18 to my early 30's I have been senior or assistant pastoring, but if and where there is a need when I loose a keyboardist or organist I feel in until that position is found. Brian and Bryce my question is, how do I as a new senior pastor of a congregation stop playing on Sunday morning? I do have a deacon who is our organist that only knows traditional songs, but we are evolving to contemporary style of worship with traditional in our devotional.

[@andy-reach]

Thanks for the advice. How do you appoint new team members? Do you audition potential new recruits?

[@Happen23]

awesome.......

[@evanarchangel]

Lol i serve 4-6 times a week and i love it 🙌🏼

[@tomywidacol]

Solid!

[@jrandallmoore]

I have recently become the worship leader at our Saturday night contemporary service which in 6 weeks is going to be blended into our Sunday morning traditional service. We our a very small church of about 50 people. We only have 1 drummer, 1 guitarist, 3 vocalist, 1 violinist, 1 bassist (me) and 1 keyboardist that we are trying to bring over from the traditional to the blended service. I could really use some advice on what you think might be the best way to 1. make this transition as smooth as possible and 2. how to lead our team into learning to worship from their heart. I have been trying to be an example but feel like I am getting nowhere. We have 4 millinials, 1 in his 40’s and 2 in their 60’s(my wife and I). This is my first time in this role with a team. Thank you for your help.

[@TipsOnTheFly]

Your channel is very informative, very usefull, and i'm positive you'll reach the target Jesus set on your life. God bless you guys. thank you very much for letting the Lord use you to helps us out here. :) I'm typing from Portugal by the way... it's very hard for us to have actual musicians in here... i'm just a "begginer" myself... usually, in our country, musicians want fame and glory, as well as money, specially in small city's. the gospel isn't as well accepted in country's like ours, it's not forbidden but it isn't well seen either...

[@Gojitoyz]

You're absolutely right, when you touched on the subject of burning out a single player for not having an in depth team, that's exactly what happened to me unfortunately. Got burned out pretty bad

[@felixadu-darkwah946]

Do your best to get back out there bro. Dont get burned out. Colossians encourages us to "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." I believe we, as single players can also help our worship leaders by inviting. In the end, it reduces the pressure on us. I pray you receive restoration, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[@Gojitoyz]

+Fairlicks Airdo Thank you so much bro, ironically I've just been getting renewed and restored and today my youth band and I are playing for Tuesday Service. Always for God's glory. God bless you

[@wesheriveaux9325]

very helpful guys

[@allisone2792]

I get the whole burnout thing and that all is done for God and the HSpirit being in it is all that matters. But how do you avoid the enemy creating competition between praise teams if you have multiple teams at the same church? This happened at more than one church we were in when the congregation & church leadership started to choose favorites. Eventually one team was pushed out.

[@original_pokey8896]

Hey Boys @ WT. I play lead on the electric and we are having trouble mixing myself into the mix. We are real novices and learning new stuff all the time. Could you put me onto someone who would be happy to answer some of my questions.

[@zfxpedals]

Super good stuff, I've recently taken over the worship leadership position of my church and have been thinking about this exact thing lately. Out of curiosity, do you use Planning Center? I'd be interested to see what planning software you use and how you use it.

[@worshiptutorials]

Yes we use Planning Center - love it

[@hazelwoodgarage]

I play accordion at our church, the bands leader didn't want me at first but have gotten used to me, now the congregation likes me, a few guitar players think I over power them sometimes but we're all cool with each other

[@infinger2006]

Balancing stage sound and PA sound can be difficult for the people manning the sound board. Be aware that you can actually get out of balance - pretty easily, and the sound guy may not be able to do anything about it. Be careful. People tend to not want to discourage or say anything... especially if the "battle" has already been fought and there seems no recourse. While our worship is to be "heard" if the noise isn't in balance, something is wrong. We are to facilitate worship not to be heard.. ya know what I mean?

[@sam45354]

how can you make your worship more fun and also more engaging as well?

[@Ndf2695Gaming]

Please do a tutorial on Home by Chris Tomlin ☺️

[@po5541]

Nice video guys !!! We can’t find a guitar lead player at all in are area😂

[@sam45354]

what's the website for your church and do you live stream as well?

[@mrdanbernal]

Great topic! Had this happen many times. Heres another struggle, how about your pastor doesn't want different musicians to volunteer? Your​ team becomes sick due to burnouts.

[@rebeldetail6134]

I disagree I play 2 sundays on lead guitar 2 services and been doing this for 4 years i love it

[@josephkabi1229]

Hello W.T , what do you mean by " Burn out " ???

[@josephsoto1715]

Is it bad that literally every musician except the main leader at my church is a volunteer, including sound people and I play about 2 times a week as a volunteer

[@saraherwood9317]

I am a volunteer for my church's worship. I play an instrument once a month but I really want to sing and play. I have sung and played a few times but not recently. Should I ask my worship leader every month when I play about singing? Or would you think that would be annoying? I have been thinking about this for a while and I am not sure what to do?

[@TheBryceSheehan]

Sarah ...Hey Sarah! I think there's nothing wrong with asking your worship leader about singing every now and then! I wouldn't ask in front of the rest of the team, though. One on one is best. You might also follow that conversation up with an email. If you're really interested in singing, you could record a video or two on your phone singing songs your team sings in church, and send them those as an audition. I hope that helps! - Bryce

[@priscillasifuentes3386]

Yes, I agree. There is nothing wrong with helping because we are called to preach the Gospel. It’s amazing to have this desire in your heart. Every situation is different, but being available will definitely help!

[@edenlipao3628]

our church is turning 5 years in this March! but still dont have a team..and only produce 2worship leaders using minus one.where do i start?

[@joshmiddleton3166]

Eden Lipao if you're in need of musicians, check out bandmix.com

[@sammampuya7970]

I am a worship leader in church called CFC in Uganda and at same time I play the piano cause there is no one to play it in the whole team and some time it's tiresome ,some time I play the drums cause the personae to do it misses whenever he wants to , and some other time I play the bass guitar as well ,so how do I do to get these people( guterist ,pianist , and the bass guterist ) cause I be leading while playing each of these instrument whenever no one didn't show up please I need your help

[@jammingdan]

Hi Sam, you could teach your team about commitment and team building: Maybe they don‘t really want to be part of the worship team (worshiping just for fun without goal) and don‘t want to submit to you. I think it‘s important to explain them your worship vision and how to serve God and the church with 100% commitment.

[@ai-fc1iz]

Its God that's important Not the instruments, not the people but God

[@ASymatryProductions]

It’s all important

[@anne-lc9pk]

hi worship tutorials! can you please do the song open up the heavens in acoustic guitar? Please. or please just tell me the strum pattern of it... I nee it ASAP.

[@tutorialesguitarradelcielo9581]

follow your heart and free your hand.

[@anne-lc9pk]

Tutoriales Guitarra del Cielo not the answer I was quite looking for but thank you for the advice it's actually working! Thank you again :D

[@joshmiddleton3166]

Denise Desepeda lol. I gotta remember this. so many people focus on these minute details, but strum pattern comes from feel. feel the music and make your strum match the dynamic of the song

[@midnightwind8067]

This sounds like a corporate meeting. I waited for scriptural insights and all I got was secular techniques. You mentioned many things that make me wonder who you reject. That would tell me more about what kind of a leader you are. This made me feel a sense of one group telling the ones deemed undesirable to go sit there and don't soil our greatness. I have seen this before. to quote the phrase... I've got a bad feeling about this. Big is not worth much when the church is a revolving door. I've seen that as well. And the best , most life changing worship I ever knew was not what I would call exciting, but it was annointed beyond anything I have seen in years. One man who loved God playing a six string leading 35 people who wanted to be in that house at that time for that reason. No lights, no fog, no big show biz production of today could be found. But that was not what drew folks there. They came to worship, and they did. IF you do the big show thing.. what would happen if you shut it all off? All of it. would the people learn the songs off of sheets handed out and shared? Would that be below anyone or considered crass? Worship. It is a rare and beautiful thing.

[@bobmazzola6089]

How do we maintain the balance between worship and the performance itself? Out pastor seems afraid of the "band" concept?

[@jasperrielsorronda]

Watch don moen dude and your question will be answerer

[@isaaccruzguido592]

What would you do if you set standards about being late yet the team is only 4, which you won't be able to replace whoever doesn't follow the standard ?

[@allisone2792]

Isaac Cruz Guido I had the same thought!

[@burdmann24.7]

Setting and keeping standards has to be enforced. The enforcement doesn't have to be replacing the person. Maybe have them sit out for a week or 2 to let them know you're serious about being on time. Hope it helps, be praying for you. Blessings

[@flavanthensome]

Start implementing stems and when you enforce the rules, you have a backup plan.

[@llatticus182ll]

Its been very discouraging for me because I'm the only one who plays guitar and sings plus we have a beginner drummer. And I'm not getting a response from the congregation. I want to quit. I'm so burned out, I've been leading worship 2x a week for over a year

[@Sacrifice-Paid]

Linda Mejia you will be rewarded for your faithfulness, as I’ve been on both sides of the fence, in the sense of, wanting to play guitar in church for a few years, to then playing and then it got to the point of where I needed a break cos I felt burnt out, I know it’s easier said than done, but stick with it, and just remember, you’re doing it for Jesus and God and to help others into His Presence 🙏🏻👍🏻

[@robertvandermark4010]

I tried to comment on you live stream but you wanted two dollars to hear what I had to say. This is it "There is a shift in worship, i have been involved with worship for a long time I was a sound mixer for a very large church and have been playing Guitar and Piano in different worship settings for over 30 years nowadays we have recording artist teaching worship concepts and leading worship services. In the older days someone who could play guitar and sing some would get up with like-minded people and let everyone join in worshiping the Lord often today its more like going to a concert and musicians and singers want everyone to hear how close they can be like the recording artist that recorded it. Both ways have their value and their place. In my opinion is that the performance mentality can limit the moving of the Holy Spirit and also limit how many can participate. I often will read these comments about this or that person were playing or singing to much I liked it when everyone felt comfortable to bring their offering and share it without fear of criticism lots of modern leaders have spent so much time practicing to sound like someone famous. Take a chance with God's people and you might be suprised. Sorry to be so long winded and God bless you guys for offering this forum. Your's in Christ Robby Vandermark

[@michaelcarpenter9745]

Robert Vandermark yes, I totally agree with your comments

[@flavanthensome]

The ideal would be to have professional level musicians and singers with a heart of worship. Then, even if you're playing the exact arrangement as the recording, the team is still engaged in full/true worship, while still playing musically.

[@sammampuya7970]

My name is Sam swami

[@cliffordesolomon8923]

Do it to sound good in GODS ears it's how why I'm going to give my best to make all sound the best I can do it's pleasing sounds good in Our FATHERS EARS. To minster into Our FATHER and others.

[@byronbesherse3071]

Just something to think about what is your scriptural reasons for all these points?

[@terryporter4987]

Just saying, preparation is top key, on any level, I think , the team should be in rotation of the same people who make the cut, inexperienced people should be trained before they serve, worship leaders should definitely work with the team, lead but don't go into a power Trip, don't forget God comes first God bless you all