20 PDW Takeaways For Worship Team Members

1. There is no sacred music, only sacred words.
2. In our gathered worship we are not performing, we are expressing our hearts together to the God who loves us.
3. We need to learn to not be bound by the head-knowledge, but consider the heart-knowledge.
4. We need to learn our songs well enough that we can communicate the heart of Jesus in the song – simply delivering the info is not enough.
5. Are people convinced that we believe what we are singing/playing? Is God?
6. People come to church to meet God, not to see people perform.
7. The words coming out of our mouths and notes coming from instruments should change the atmosphere of worship.
8. Smile when you sing; it changes your tone.
9. “Whatever you’ve got, you better spend it right now in worship!”
10. We need to integrate relevant elements from popular culture to make it easier for our people to participate in worship.
11. It has been said that black folk play by emotion while white people play by note.
12. Sheet Music gets in the way
13. Sing like you speak; sing sideways, shave consonants, accentuate vowels, mess up rhythms, etc.
14. There is too much harmony singing in church.
15. Our job description is in Psalm 33:3, “Sing him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” – Creativity, skill, and fun!
16. The more instruments on the stage, the less each needs to play.
17. We are to use music for the heart, not the “Art.”
18. God is more interested in our heart in worship than our artistic ability.
19. God is not looking for worship, He is looking for worshippers
20. Worship is not for us, it is FOR GOD – He is the goal.

(Gleened from the 2006 Purpose Driven Worship Conference + Festival)

**UPDATE: See all the PDW posts listed here...