Recruiting Worship Band Musicians

by Arlen Salte

t happens at every worship workshop I conduct. I can see the question telegraphing from eyes all across the room: "Where in the world do I find musicians for a praise band when I only have one guitar player who is just learning the chord of G?"

One of the greatest challenges the traditional church faces in putting together contemporary services is in finding band members. Where are the praise band members today? They are often playing in the mega-church on the other side of town where their skills were appreciated years ago. Is there any hope? There is always hope. God is more interested in the ministry of your church than you are. If He can raise up children of Abraham from stones (Luke 3:8), He can raise up a drummer for your church!

Where does it begin? It always begins with prayer. Expect great things from God. When miracles happen, He receives the glory for what is accomplished. "The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results." James 5:16b LB

Once you have bathed your needs in prayer, try these ideas as well:

• Advertise! Place free community announcements in local papers. Make posters with tear off phone number tabs and hang them in music stores, malls, music schools, etc.
• Go to music teachers. They know students.
• Offer to pay for lessons! Perhaps there is a single mother who can't afford bass lessons for her child. For as little as $10 a week you are blessing the mother, the child, and the church.
• If you don't have a bass guitar player, have someone drag out their $100 Casio keyboard from his or her basement. They work great on single note bass lines.
• Use MIDI worship files on a General MIDI keyboard. My wife and I started leading worship in our church with her on keyboard, me on guitar, and my laptop playing MIDI files. It was a great start.
• Use worship soundtracks. One decent ghetto blaster can become your entire worship band. That's an inexpensive point of entry. We have put out an entire series of worship tracks on CD for both congregations and youth groups. The congregational and small group CDs (and tapes) are called Break Forth 1 & 2. The youth versions are called Youth Power Praise 1 & 2. They all have full vocal versions. Then, the vocal versions are followed by soundtracks. Your church or small group can sing with the vocal versions until they get to know them and then they can use the soundtracks without the extra vocal help.
• Squeal on a singer/musician/technician. There is often talent in your church you are unaware of. Have a drop box at the back of the church with pre-printed forms. People fill in these forms as they learn of fellow church member's gifts. You may be surprised!
• Hire an excellent worship leader. It's true that excellence attracts excellence. Good musicians want to experience a fulfilling use of their gifts.
• Approach music ministers of large churches who run successful contemporary services. They probably have musicians in their churches that are not being used because they are not "professionals". If the music minister has a biblical view of the Kingdom of God, they can refer you to underutilized musicians within their church who could bless your ministry.
• Pay a critical core. What is a critical core? In a pop band, I consider this to be drums, bass, keyboards and guitar. For as little as $25 per Sunday, per musician, you may be able to recruit a critical core. Then, you can build from there. Many of these musicians may end up joining your church and declining the $25.
• Schools are cutting back on arts funding. Many churches are seizing the opportunity by becoming music schools for their communities. They offer a place for Christian music teachers to teachlessons. With all the Sunday school rooms that sit vacant most of the week, this is great stewardship. Music students are encouraged to "sit in" with the praise band every now and then. Their parents, family and friends will also show up. Not only are you raising up talent, you are often accomplishing evangelism. While I believe only committed Christians should be a part of the regular praise band, "guests" aren't a threat.

These are just some of the ways to launch a contemporary worship band. But never forget; it all begins with prayer!

Arlen Salte is the Founder and Executive Director of New Creation Ministries. He is also a recording artist signed to Word Entertainment. He conducts concerts and Break Forth worship workshops throughout the Canada and the USA. If you would like to book one of these high-impact, practical events contact New Creation Ministries today.

This is content from New Creation Ministries' Break Forth Contemporary Worship Workshop. For more information, book a Break Forth Workshop for your church.