Just a reminder about what our core values are. If you ever need to remember, they're on here!
Core Values
Thankyou for your interest in being a part of the music or creative arts team at Camden Uniting Church. I would ask that you read this information, which is an overview of what your involvement may be and the different expectations that we have for our team, and pray as to whether this ministry is where God wants you to serve. Please feel free to speak to me about any of the following things if you have any questions.
What is the Music Team?
The music team in our church is more than just a group of people who like playing music together. It is a ministry – our main desire is to glorify God through our service to him! This being so, this should be your main motivation for joining our team. We don’t do the church a ‘favour’ by providing music for worship; we desire to use our gifts given to us by God to serve him and our church. By joining the team you become a servant.
We are also an active arm of the overall ministry, direction, and vision of our church. Therefore we work within the mission statement that we believe God has given to our leadership. If you are unsure of what that is, please talk to myself or someone on the ministry team.
More Specifically….
There are several underlying principles that we ask our members to take hold of. These principals are basic to all areas of ministry in the church.
Unity – this is one of the great keys to the blessing of the Lord (Psalm 133) and we are called to ‘keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace’ (Ephesians 4: 3-4).
Service – When you enter into ministry you become a servant. We are called to serve with joy and gladness (Psalm 100:2). This may be in sharing your talent, but also in the ‘invisible’ things like praying for our team, practising throughout the week when you are rostered on or packing away music etc.
Humility – Philippians 2 encourages us to imitate the humility that Christ displayed. This is a hard one for musicians in particular as there is an element of performance in what we do. While we strive to give God excellence, you are not up there to ‘be a star’. Your aim is to focus those listening to you toward God and away from yourself.
Submissiveness – Most importantly we are called to submit to the will of God not our own (James 4:7). We are also asked to submit to the leadership appointed to us. Sometimes that is hard! If you disagree with something coming from leadership, talk to them about it, but remember that they have been appointed as leaders dedicated to serving you and God and should not be out for their own agenda.
Encouragement – one purpose of sharing our gifting in music is to edify or build up others. This may be each other in working as a team, your church, or the wider community. You can encourage others in your attitude when you come to practice, through words of affirmation when you appreciate someone’s effort or contribution etc.
Excellence – We are called to bring our best before God. Striving to be excellent does not mean you have to be the best guitarist or singer. It means giving your best.
Character – God’s word describes the spirit of God changing us form ‘Glory to Glory’. Sometimes this means going through hard times and leaving stuff behind in your life that is not pleasing to God. This is all what builds character. As Christians we should be striving to be changed into the image of Jesus, and that means always working on character and confronting our un-godly attitudes and reactions everyday. If you do, God will less you abundantly!
Expectations
Camden Uniting is a church that doesn’t necessarily have ‘rules’ but does have expectations or ‘standards’ that leaders and people in a position of representative ministry are expected to maintain. These are not things that we just make up! But we believe that they are biblical principles that we are called to uphold.
*Members of our creative arts team are expected to have given their lives to Jesus through the repentance of sin and the surrender as God as Lord of their life. Being a Christian opens the door for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your gifts to be used for the Glory and building of God’s kingdom.
*Members are expected to love our church and its vision, along with our senior ministry team and appointed leaders.
*The creative arts team is expected to be regular attendees of our church services. This means (especially!) when you are not on the roster to play.
*Team members are expected to be part of a cell group. This is not so we can keep an eye on you! But it is a commitment on your behalf to show that you are dedicated to a continuing relationship with God where you desire to learn and experience more of Him.
*Team members are expected to participate in training nights/days as a team
*Members are expected to set a good example in speech, life, faith and purity (1Tim 4:12)
The important thing is not whether you ‘keep the rules’ but rather the state of your heart. You don’t have to do any of these things, but what do you want to do? The state of your heart will reflect enormously on your role in ministry.
The practical side….
"Do I have to audition? - When you decide that you would like to join the music team you will be asked to attend an informal, non-confrontational audition with Bethany or Erin to determine your level of ability and help us establish how to best place you within the team. You will then be required to attend three practices on a Sunday afternoon. During this time you will not actually participate in the service. This time is for you to get a feel for how the team works and confirm your calling into the team and for the leaders of the team to assess your ability to play/sing.
"When do I start?" - Once you decide you would like to serve, and we confirm that we believe being a part of the team is your place of service you will go on the next ‘edition’ of the roster.
Punctuality - All musicians and singers are expected to turn up for practice ON TIME!!!. This is an important value. When you run late for a rehearsal you are suggesting to others that your time is more important than everyone else’s. In unforseen circumstances ring your coordinator to let them know if you will be late.
Get organised! – Your ministry on the team should be a priority in your week, not because it makes it easier on your leaders, but because it is dedicated time that you have committed to serve your God. Therefore it should be a priority. For some of you this will mean making hard decisions about job availability, social and family commitments, and organising your time so that the assignment due on Monday is finished before Sunday afternoon!
Have a servant heart – your role as a musician doesn’t start when you begin to strum your guitar or warm your voice up. There are always things to do like helping set up folders for the night, ensuring you are around for sound check, packing up folders at the end of the night etc. If you’re not sure just ask!
Come prepared – The songs are sent out by the Worship leaders at the beginning of the week with intention! This is designed to give the team time to practise and pray. Coming prepared musically and spiritually to the practise enables it to run smoothly and it provides support for the team and the Worship Leaders.
This is just an outline to what is involved as a part of the team at our church. We would really like to spend time with you talking about your desires to use your gifts to glorify God. At any stage please do not hesitate to talk to me about any issues you have whether it be in struggling with some of the principles of your ministry, extending your involvement – anything. I am here to guide and encourage and prayer and support from your leaders is always available.
Thank you for your enthusiasm, interest and for exploring where God wants you to serve Him best.
Bethany.
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