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New Venture for a Veteran Artist
Songwriter and veteran worship leader Don Moen continues to grow the new Don Moen Company with the acquisition of WorshipTeam.com on the heels of its initial move with MediaComplete in August of 2008. In a recent interview Moen discussed his passion for the “new generation worship team” with author Lynn Scarborough.
LS:
In the past a worship team was comprised of the singers, musicians and sound guy, but it seems that that is no longer the norm.DM: When you see all the people that are needed to staff a church service today, it is obvious that the average worship team has expanded. The new forms of expression and technology require more people, time and coordination. This means that the technical team in the back is as much a part of the worship team as the musicians at the front of the church. I am a huge advocate in the power of a team—but there is no “I” in team. We have only seen the beginning of what will be a new generation of a video or visual worship team. You will see more of this dynamic as we link
WorshipTeam.com and MediaShout in the coming months.
LS: You seem passionate about this. DM: Yes, and I am privileged to have been given a voice to the worship community. I want to use this platform and opportunity with MediaComplete to raise up new leaders by helping them to discover their gifting. It is our desire that they lead others into the presence of God in an unprecedented way.
LS: What do we look for in finding these new team members?DM: It is important to look for the young Davids and Miriams—individuals who have the right heart and gifting for the situation. Building a team requires people of excellence and an excellent spirit. I will take a person with great heart any day; one who knows he or she has been called to serve because a person with a great attitude can be trained. Without a good attitude and servant’s heart it can kill and sabotage the spirit of worship.
LS: What sort of training is needed to build the team and merge the different styles?DM: A wise leader will teach through his or her own example and leads others into a greater maturity in Christ. Second, the success of every sports team depends upon the communication for preparation and playing the game. Teamwork depends upon information. The worship leader and technical director must work together. No territories just everyone working toward accomplishing the same goal.
DM: A great worship leader should be like an orchestra conductor who pulls everyone together, guides each person and tool into playing his or her part. The focus should be on the one who is being worshiped and not the whistles, bells and style.
LS: Are you planning to provide more extensive training for the team members, especially the technical team?DM: Yes, we know what makes a great worship team and how powerful it is when everyone is on the same page. One of our objectives in acquiring MediaComplete and
WorshipTeam.com is developing materials, DVD’s and seminars for multi-channel training experiences.
LS: With all the increase production elements in many services, how can we avoid the downfalls of the performance trap?DM: It takes mature leadership to deal with the team and keep them on track. A worship leader has to be focused on their true source and make sure that the eyes of their team are looking to Jesus Christ. It’s the leader’s job to teach others how to serve and understand that their gifts have to be laid at the foot of the cross for His Glory—every day, every service.
The goal of every member of the worship team should be to help people experience God at the deepest level and in new and fresh ways.
Lynn Wilford Scarborough is a veteran speaker and author of
Talk Like Jesus; Change Your World with the S.I.M.P.L.E. Steps of the Master Communicator. She specializes in Strategic Business Communication Training for multi-cultural environments and faith based organizations. Lynn may be contacted at
Lynn@EmPowerCom.Us.
This is an excerpt from Worship Leader magazine. To read more articles like this - click here to subscribe.
