How to Improve Your Worship Team

Ever have a disastrous worship service? Don't worry, we all have! Don't miss this video as Don shares his thoughts on how to improve your worship team. New videos posted every week! Subscribe today so you never miss a video: bit.ly/1In0KIP. Watch our full playlist to see what other questions Don answers: bit.ly/29YSDEE
Filmed in McPherson Studios in Nashville, TN.
Ethan from Canada asks:
"How do you improve the quality of your praise and worship service? Me and my family go to a small church and I'm the lead guitarist, drummer and bass player for the church. And over the years our praise and worship ministry hasn't seen much improvements. In fact we get new members like every three months who have little or no experience at all and my mom gives me the responsibility to teach them. Sure they learn and are eventually able to play, but they don't have the diligence to learn more than what I've taught them. It's always a disaster on Sundays because at least one person messes it up. There hasn't been any improvements for the last 5 years and it's very discouraging how disorganized the team is. I'm not in charge (in fact I don't even know who is) but I just wanna know to can we make improvements in the praise and worship team?"
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[@chrissammond]

"Less is more." This is so important to remember. Also, "Bigger is not better; BETTER is better."

[@albeannetabago3802]

God bless you pastor Don Moen I am a musician in our church in Philippines I have a question how to improve my skills into worship? thanks and Godbless you always...

[@tomd1914]

Be worshipers first, musicians second. Worship comes from the heart, not the instrument. A worship team doesn’t need to have highly skilled musicians, but they do need to take it seriously. I’d prefer one person with a humble heart, a desire for to worship, and a guitar over a whole team of highly skilled musicians who are concerned more about performance than worship. If they they aren’t taking it seriously, then go up there alone and lead the people in worship with a humble heart.

[@louisederuelle9699]

I agree and disagree with you're statement. Why? Because of what David the Psalmist did. It says, he played skillfully and the evil spirits left King Saul. I think it's very disappointing when we think mediocre worship is good enough for the King of kings. True worship from the heart should desire excellence. He deserves nothing less.

[@nsabimanajeanbaptiste9251]

@@louisederuelle9699 Good points on agreeing and disagreeing.Well put.

[@jhentgogan6961]

Well said! As long as it is coming from a pure and humble heart it doesn't matter if they overplay or not. Because that is what the Lord is seeking, the one who worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

[@metashaelbalbin5287]

Playing instruments is also your worship to God as Louisse said about David... It's not only thru singing that you can worship, in fact the Word of the Lord says in everything you do, do it for the glory of God (worship)...

[@ericbaah9614]

Thank you.

[@ebirawihenok7270]

oh I and my family love you and your father's ministry. we have wish to worship God in your church🥰

[@denim98]

here's what my church did. 1.Start small with experienced musicians and worship leaders. 2. Start training new people. 3. Employ the trainees in smaller services eg prayer meets, sunday school etc. 4. Slowly promote new people in backup roles in main services eg as backup or second musicians or backup singers. 5. Use practise seasons as mini training sessions.

[@patrickhemus8102]

Ryo Syori Ki number 1 is a giant key for the rest.

[@metashaelbalbin5287]

Thanks for sharing this ❤️ I do agree in every point you shared. This should be implemented... Since most of the members joining in a music team nowadays are youth, sometimes they just use it to perform. And also 1 point I want to add is they need to be submissive to their leader and pastor...

[@spiritman-em4qr]

I was given the reigns one time,. I turned down the lights and the volume, selected songs and music that complimented the sermon, and had just one snare drum with brushes, a guitar, and harmony vocals. The congregation LOVED IT! Following the service, the "worship pastor" told me to to never do such a thing again, and that it was supposed to be a big deal.

[@jazielycamater1614]

"We're not where we want to be.. but right now this is what we have. So, start with what you have....." 😊😊 Don't despise the small beginnings!🙂

[@masonnair]

Yeah Man:)

[@rezis_grid]

Exactly Despise not your little beginning

[@gladsonvlogs943]

That's right....

[@michelegreen4430]

in the small beginning you have to establish where each person is on the team just like sports if not it’s more difficult to accomplish the task

[@aarongenesissabado7581]

This question, really help me a lot, just having the same scenario, and it's really discouraging, thank God he still gives me the faith to go on what I have started. No turning back. God bless us all

[@cynthiarosser2033]

😄💝👏Congrats! Leading isn't always an easy feat I'm sure. Just some thoughts.. 1)Pray always 2)Practice often 3)Remember you are a team operate as a team. Delegate tasks, however, let the Holy Spirit lead you 4)Don't be too hard on yourself 5) Communicate with your team (have a good attitude) 6)Keep your eyes on Jesus😇

[@michelegreen4430]

every team must have a leader and when the team is going astray the team leader leads them back; help guide, direct, encourage ect if there is no leader then everyone on the team will fight for the lead spot called chaos …ijs

[@cynthiarosser2033]

@@michelegreen4430 Amen. And no leader is a leader without a team.

[@toamataafa9463]

Totally agree..Less is more. I’m a worship leader in our church here in Bell Garden Cali. Occasionally i have a couple of Musician friends that come and help me with the Praise and worship..unfortunately, they already have other commitments to their churches. So i do it by myself and GOD is blessing me with the Ministry..at church I’ve been approached so many times by other Musicians that they want to come and play and help me with the Praise and worship, and i always asked them, do you want to just play or do you want to commit, because what I want is a commitment. And one by one they disappeared. Right now, I’m praising the Lord for the opportunity to serve HIM with my talent. GOD doesn’t need your Talent..GOD needs your commitment and HE will bless you...GOD asked Moses..what do you have in your hand..Moses said, it’s a Rod, GOD said..use it👈

[@empirecastle5310]

Am a great keyboardist in kenya, My mom had small skills about music and she taught me voices of singing when i was 7, and encouraged me to stay near other mature keyboardist that one day she would be very happy to see his son playing a piano in church. Right now am blessed to have followed her believes...and her dreams about me actually came true .am super happy about her joy.......... For now am struggling to fly abroad and make the best praise and worship team and make her the great happy mom ever .through sponsorship but i have none...But God never sleeps, i know one day God will drive someone towards my destiny....AMEN

[@user-lf7dk6dc9h]

Amen

[@pattirody6420]

Great advice Don. I'll pray for Ethan too as he steps up to the leadership position, God will equip him to be a leader.

[@vadrianosebe3269]

hello am a new member from Kenya

[@waheedahmasinga15]

Hey brother! All the way from Africa. What a blessing and a role model of how worship is to be done. Thank you for all you do. God bless

[@jasserguzman5783]

"Start with what you have" this is key and the starting point which might be the hardest part, but let's trust God he will send the right musiicians at the right time ❤

[@quentinfernandez4673]

Very correct. Pray and ask the Lord for guidance and He will never fail you. Many worship teams think they have to be pros and top musicians. I have seen very ordinary music teams used by the Lord and the Spirit move in a wonderful way during the service.

[@charleshines6980]

I'm the head of worship at The Story WUMC (you probably haven't heard of it haha) but I think one thing I would add on to the advice would be to pray for a Christian friend that is close in age to you to help you. Some times a close friend is someone that will bring just as much energy as you, and you can build each other up and advance your band together to ultimately, advance the kingdom of God!

[@johnjhondean4628]

certainly ethan will be a good leader because of the great answer he's got from you don!

[@emilyvntr]

thank you so much... you open my mind about that situation. God bless you!

[@ezekielpeter5680]

It was so much helpfull Sir! its the same situation it was going in our church most of the times. Thank you so much for this video may God use u more and more for the growth of his kingdom! Amen

[@ayodejimodupe551]

Whoa I’m just seeing this and I bless God for you sir, you’re touching millions of lives which I’m proudly one of them.

[@clarizzagatmaitan3423]

God looks at the heart of a true worshipper just like King David.

[@shenny.d]

David was also a skilled musician too…

[@TkimSangma]

This is really a valuable advice for me as I face the same problem in the church...This is gonna make a change in our worship team

[@valeriemattson1858]

A good sound team is needed as well.

[@evejames3307]

That's advice filled with Wisdom ... Cant get better than that

[@collinsoduaga6584]

Thank you sir. I've been a huge fan since I was a kid. I've been facing this kinda situation in my church where I happen to be the leader. This video really changed my perspective and helped me a lot. Thanks

[@blessingevans8069]

Thank you so much. I am encouraged

[@Holisticheights634]

Am going through this ...and this has really helped

[@cathybandoy925]

God bless thanks for this.from Philippines

[@terryp12345]

Great advice. You always have such a calm and authoritative attitude in your videos. And I love your love for God that shows though every word you say. We were at a very small church where we would often have just one or two people doing worship. It worked quite well. The problem Ethan is facing now is that the "nose is under the tent" and he can't likely just remove the people from the team (church politics, feelings, etc).... Maybe a great idea would be to have him and a singer every other week (maybe he does acoustic and kick drum). Then they have the full band (with the less experienced players) every other week. With the full band, have a set of maybe just six simple songs, and keep the keys consistent for the songs from week to week. This makes it easy to do 3-4 songs and get very familiar with them, but still allows variety. On the weeks where just Ethan is playing, he can branch out a bit more into anything else.

[@denischemjor5825]

Thank you. Amen amen for that response

[@rhylandyokoya7964]

Thank You Don Moen. Start in Small

[@rismauli.christingmail]

What a great idea Mr, God bless...

[@alwaysboakye2657]

Thank you Dady God bless you I won't to be a best gospel singer like you.

[@EruvwuObuaya]

I feel Ethan's pain. Yes, alot of praise teams have been there!

[@zionmalachi]

God bless you sir

[@daneyellragas6650]

Same situation ethan its also discouraging every sunday😔 but i thankful for the answer coach don moen so very helpful

[@kylabilaoen2699]

Thank you Don for your advice it helps me a lot, for my music team😇😇

[@DonMoenTV]

I'm glad to hear this, Kyla! Blessings!

[@mayurgeorge5597]

Thank you And God bless you Don Meon Sir I really love your advice it's encouraging and straight talk to my spirit.

[@DonMoenTV]

Blessings to you! continue to be encouraged by His word, take care!

[@wesheriveaux9325]

That's advice that I needed as well

[@Mr.Gump5780]

Great advice my brother

[@kavanerankin256]

Great advice

[@raqueldeclaros5855]

Thank you, God bless 🙏😇

[@shanizeaura227]

Loved it! Thanks pastor

[@DonMoenTV]

Blessings!

[@ahchigrace7121]

Thank you Sir.

[@KevsGuide]

whatever you do , do your best and do it for the glory of God

[@thabanikmusik6559]

amen

[@gracetorsu1355]

Thank you sir 😊

[@robfriedrich2822]

Your reply matches with me. My problem was to find fellow musicians, for I thought, I couldn't do it all alone. People in my church said to me, I would do it for show off and when I said, it would attract people, someone said "striptease could attract people too, do we do it?" (when I think about this church, pretty strange...). But all this contrary wind shows me, that it must be my profession to do music.

[@MasukuAsende-ks4pn]

Hello pastor, I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I'm pastor from the Democratic Republic of Congo, I need to Partnership and work together with you and to be part of your ministry here in the DR Congo. Many blessings Pastor Masuku Asende

[@leonardbigali1352]

Thank you so much

[@silvanmcleod1716]

Mr Don moen this is good advice am practically going through the same problem and am definitely going to use your advice to improve my worship team thanks alot. blessings🔝🔝

[@DonMoenTV]

Glad you were able to take something away from this Silvan! Blessings to you!

[@empirecastle5310]

@@DonMoenTV Am a great keyboardist in kenya, My mom had small skills about music and she taught me voices of singing when i was 7, and encouraged me to stay near other mature keyboardist that one day she would be very happy to see his son playing a piano in church. Right now am blessed to have followed her believes...and her dreams about me actually came true .am super happy about her joy.......... For now am struggling to fly abroad and make the best praise and worship team and make her the great happy mom ever .through sponsorship but i have none...But God never sleeps, i know one day God will drive someone towards my destiny....AMEN

[@kendinjeru7551]

Amazing 💖💖💖 Can you kindly make it downloadable please😩

[@joeljoy]

thank you

[@kinglesdafresh]

❤God bless

[@coolkid2316]

my worship team right now is keys, piano, violin, drums, bass and guitar, but we need more guitarists

[@patrickhemus8102]

Cool kid231 we have drums and KIND OF a keyboard. you’ll be fine lol

[@jinxi7502]

It's so hard to practice if every member want there instrument to stand out

[@samcalebblessonp3456]

Thank u moen

[@Larry21924]

I'm profoundly impacted by this material. The book I read on these topics was incredibly influential in my life. "A Life Unplugged: Reclaiming Reality in a Digital Age" by Theodore Blaze

[@nnotperfect]

Start small

[@dickieduck7966]

thanks

[@MONAKHO.]

Great

[@DunderMifflin_ThisisPam]

Sometimes if you allow people to be up there when they aren't prepared they assume they are good enough and don't practice to improve. Give them something to aim at.

[@kaeunwoopark4453]

I feel Ethan's pain... were going through that now

[@mikegoh2569]

Good suggestion from Don Moen. Just the guitar or two will do. Maybe Ethan may also need to let the others lead on some Sundays. Sometimes people are dropping off because they may not like the song leaders. Painful suggestion but that happens.

[@vzapateiro]

Wonderful advices, please make it in spanish for tha spanish community! Pleaseee! God bless you all!

[@dudebreh4178]

I pray for my worship team because rn its going downhill....

[@fernandoorozco4594]

Praying for the team bro!!

[@sumitsingh-es7yo]

Less is More ... Beatiful

[@ericradford2142]

The worship team has an air about them. They worship the Lord no matter what kind of mood they’re in and there are quite a few arrogant ones.

[@shevinfernand0]

im literally in that place right now. players and the choir team messes up

[@genesissiseneg5311]

The question is exactly my problem 😅😅😅😅

[@marczellm]

I think it's a bad idea to suggest that Ethan remove his partners from the band temporarily. It might cause very bad personal grievances. I am playing with amateurs often and the solution seems to be to play the songs in a simpler version, simpler arrangement, even if it sounds very boring to musically proficient ears. Focus the rehearsals on getting the basics right.

[@johnpatitucci7919]

Someone who is in a right frame of mind and willing to submit to the leader's authority shouldn't take on any grievance. It's not about appeasing their egos or emotions. If they don't show a level of emotional maturity over the matter, they aren't ready to serve.

[@louiejaybautista316]

John Patitucci indeed!

[@louisederuelle9699]

I agree with you to consider their feelings. It is our job as leaders to love others unconditionally and lead in this by example. This is how others will learn to love and be considerate when we do it first. Yes, basics. Accuracy and then speed. Start small and then build. Offer lessons on mic technique and warming up the voice. Teach musicians to do drills and it will release all that energy to be too busy and loud. Always be improving. This is what pros do.

[@user-xv3uh9nh1v]

Good evening sir,I want to ask about how to minister well even if you are a beginner

[@Esra-mm6yk]

How about using a musical educational program that exist?

[@Harlem55]

Having dealt with big band, jazz ensemble, etc. (where the material is much tougher) The first thing you have to do is learn the right way to practice for the group. With smaller, more inexperienced groups within the worship context, this might mean learning two or three simple songs at first, and then practicing them until the band can hear them in their sleep. Then as time goes on, add more material to the repertoire, starting with songs with rather simple chord progressions (Think 1-4-5 and 1-4-6m-5 progressions.) That aren't in a difficult key , and don't expect to throw a band together and expect them to sound like what we hear behind Don, either, as professional singers get the luxury of hand picking a band that can play well - especially when it comes to recording CDs, as the studios charge by time, and you often have a production budget to work within. That said, I have found myself In positions doing a worship service with nothing but a guitar or a piano. Personally, I wouldn't recommend striping down the band performance wise, because getting used to performance is a big part of practice. (I've had an entire saxophone section turn to rubble due to "stage fright", before. Trust me, its NOT pretty.) I hope this helps.

[@felipecabria8076]

Thank you for your tips. just wnt to ask you of your thoughts regarding a worship team LEADING THE WORSHIP totally OUT OF TUNE and the GUITAR is OFF KEY yet they are "on fire" . The Ptr, is not musically inclined. What can you advise for such a disastrous worhip scene

[@Vi3ver1]

Train them. Teach them.

[@magpipe8735]

Should christian musicians who have record deals feel obligated to play on their church band or should they not so they can just be in the audience getting stronger in the Lord to be refreshed?

[@kevindmontedmonte5596]

When you are in the house of God Just close your eyes and the Holy Spirit will help you

[@andrewamoah4428]

can you come to my church

[@empirecastle5310]

Am a great keyboardist in kenya, My mom had small skills about music and she taught me voices of singing when i was 7, and encouraged me to stay near other mature keyboardist that one day she would be very happy to see his son playing a piano in church. Right now am blessed to have followed her believes...and her dreams about me actually came true .am super happy about her joy.......... For now am struggling to fly abroad and make the best praise and worship team and make her the great happy mom ever .through sponsorship but i have none...But God never sleeps, i know one day God will drive someone towards my destiny....AMEN

[@Agriculturingabetterworld]

my co-guitarist doesnt listen to the song prior to our practice .that is why he dont know the chords and he have no idea how to play it..he is always depending on me to write it down for him..heheh..its a BURDEN..

[@reggiebenson9172]

Oh, don't mean to be a real downer here, but I suspect I am. Praise teams are wrong, just wrong. They are composed of kids that are there to gather all of the praise to themselves. They are not thinking of God, but they put the focus on themselves. How do I know this - couple of clues. Praise team members do not change, there is no constant recruiting to see if perhaps someone from the congregation might want to participate in this ministry. Point #2: Praise team members are in the building only for their song, then they leave, only to show back up for the closing song. #3: They sing to overwhelm the congregation singing, making sure their voice is front and center. They attempt to sing the song professionally, with all of the variations a professional might use, leaving a lot of the congregation scratching their heads. Much better if you let one person lead the singing so it can return to what this is supposed to be - a congregational singing and praise time.

[@raqueldeclaros5855]

Thank you, God bless 🙏😇