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question about rules, discipline

E

emerald77

Member
Hi!I need some advice. My church has began implementing rules for the worship team, such as attendance, rehearsal etc. but there has been opposition to these.
Some members have not attended bec. of the rules. We are trying to have order in the worship team as there hasn't been any rules, disciplines etc. under the former pastor. I know God is a God of order and he wants order esp in worship as worship is a front line ministry. How do I address these wayward members who don't want to follow the rules? Are there any scriptures I can use to explain about rules in church and how important it is to have order? Thanks a lot.
 
Can you give us more specifics? For example, what was it like under the old system, and what changes to the rules are being made?
 
I think a good place to start would be to study the book of Leviticus, and other parts, that talk about worship in the Tabernacle and how it was to be done. I know that this is not the same thing, but it may help just to see that God placed such strict demands on them as to how they were to even approach the concept of worship, and approaching Him, that it shows that there needs to be reverence in the heart when leading worship. Just a thought.
 
Emerald, I understand your concern, but keep in mind that even though God is a God of order, He is a God of love too. The way this should be dealt with is in love rather than dictatorship. I am by no means implying that you are being a dictator as I can't make that call by just a few lines in your post, but people have left churches altogether for far less and from you post it seems like a couple has left already.

Worship should come from the heart and not because of set rules. Try and create a loving, welcoming spirit at rehearsals. A platform where people would want to come and worship and sing God's praises. I would rather go to a place where I feel fellowship with like minded brothers and sisters then to a place where the place is somber because of too many rules and disciplines.
 
I'm a part of our Praise and Worship team. The very name of this ministry suggests a type of leadership. The function of a Praise team is to lead the congregation into accepting the music as a bonifide form or worship pleasing to God' not simply a form of entertainment. If people want to be entertained, they should stay home and watch the boob tube.

Honestly.

Now to the point; as long as the rules are meant to bring the Praise team together so they may lead with the proper state of mind, I don't see an issue.

Some guidelines for rules should be; (this by no means is carved in stone, but exceptions should be limited)

Attendance- members of the team should come on the designated date and time or else not take part in Worship Service. God just doesn't like a lukewarm, unprepared hearts.

Rehearsals- Very important that you know the music you are playing and that the lyrics present the opportunity of right worship. This just cannot be done if rehearsals aren't taken seriously and members are going through the motions. If you need to go through a song three or four times to iron out the wrinkles and get it right, so be.

I'll take myself out on Sundays if I can't make rehearsals unless I know the songs well and no changes have been made to the arrangement.

God's not looking for perfection from us but He does expect we give it the best we got.

Song selection - Now I know this can be suggestive, but please keep in mind Romans 12:2 when selecting songs. There are some good contemporary Praise and worship songs out there and there are some <cough> Contemporary Christian songs that just have no place in a Worship service.

It's very easy for Praise Team members to fall into the habit of suggesting songs based on their likings and not really praying over whether or not they are Service-worthy.

I will take songs like Old Rugged Cross, Soon and Very Soon, Just a closer walk With Thee, It is Well (with my soul), etc., over anything I hear on the radio. Many of the older Gospel songs can be worked with a bit, meaning you can play with the arrangement a little, maybe change the tempo or even the beat, making them sound fresh but still not come across like some loud Rock band on stage.

I'm usually the loudest voice of opposition when it comes to too much contemporary stuff. I don't believe the Church needs to change it's "style" to attract a younger crowd. It's God that draws people in anyway. I say let them learn and like the older stuff.

The good ol' tunes have so much more meaning and theology in their lyrics.

:twocents
 
Oops, I realized that was more of a soapbox rant and really didn't address some of your post.

I don't have any particular verses in mind other than the ones that mention being sober minded.

That reminds me of something I heard Adrian Rogers say,

"A spiritual experience is more than just an emotional burp." :yes
 
I think I lean on the same tree as Vic but I would also warn to be careful about getting too fixated on rules of service so that you forget your purpose is to worship. You say you are a worship team and rules are handy for keeping teams focused and together but I think it's good to be somewhat relaxed about them too. Too relaxed and chaos is introduced.
 
Caroline H said:
I think a good place to start would be to study the book of Leviticus, and other parts, that talk about worship in the Tabernacle and how it was to be done. I know that this is not the same thing, but it may help just to see that God placed such strict demands on them as to how they were to even approach the concept of worship, and approaching Him, that it shows that there needs to be reverence in the heart when leading worship. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Is this a safe site study about worship??
--Elijah


 
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