Code Of Conduct

PASSION – UK - VBCI

Guidelines and Requirements

Overview: - 

Worship is the church's highest calling. More than evangelism, more than caring for the poor, there is something that God finds precious in our specific, personal declarations of loyalty, devotion and surrender to His purposes. Through corporate worship we seek to lay aside our differences and come to Jesus as His holy bride, and so, for a few moments, even more fully express His significance to us in this world.

“For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.” - Psalm 51:16, 17

The Worship ministry is fundamentally the expression of our hearts to God. While we frequently use music and song to worship Jesus, it is certainly not the only acceptable way. In fact, acceptable worship is determined more by heart attitude than any other single thing, and so it is the most important element in the make-up of the worship minister.

GUIDELINES

1. Probationary period

There will ordinarily be a minimum of a 3 MONTHS probationary period during which the individual will attend practice sessions but will not play or sing with the team.

After such time it will be at the discretion of the choir director as to when the individual will begin singing or playing in the services.

2. Practice sessions

All team members are required to attend the weekly practice sessions held on Thursdays from 7:30 – 9:30 pm. (Occasionally the session will finish at 10 pm)

Musicians and singers are required to be in the auditorium for scheduled rehearsals and prior to corporate services for rehearsal and sound checks.

Every meeting must start and end with a prayer.

Regular time should be dedicated to bible study, retreats and voice training.

3. Attendance

Poor attendance and punctuality reflect a lack of discipline and respect for the praise and worship ministry.

Team members who are consistently late for rehearsals or fail to participate in rehearsals and/or worship services will be placed on probation or, in extreme cases, expelled from the Praise and Worship Ministry.

Team members must give AMPLE NOTICE if they are unable to attend a scheduled rehearsal. Last minute cancellations without a plausible reason are unacceptable as it is a reflection of the lack of value placed on the ministry.

If you are not able to make a rehearsal or be there for the worship service you need to contact the choir director or designated executive member (JUDAH LEAT OR LADY ELDER JOANNA).

IF YOU cannot make the rehearsal prior to a scheduled event YOU WILL not be able to MINISTER ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT. This is because we are always introducing new songs and it is important that you are at the rehearsal prior to the scheduled event. This is also applicable to special occasions where additional rehearsals may be required.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT IF YOU ATTENDED A REHEARSAL PRIOR TO AN EVENT BUT ON THE DAY YOU ARRIVE LATE WHEN THE TEAM IS ALREADY ON STAGE, YOU CANNOT JOIN THE TEAM.

4. Other functions

The team will be expected to lead worship for seminars, special retreats and meetings if needed and must be ready at all times.

 5. Commitment to being spiritually prepared to minister

Our spiritual preparation has a direct effect on our effectiveness as a worship and music ministry team. We need to come ready not only to sing and play music but also to worship the King and minister to His people.

Speak to the designated executive member if you feel unable to minister.

6. Commitment to musical expertise

We need to work at our instrumental and / or vocal ability to become the very best we can be. This means a great deal of individual practice during the week (maybe even lessons) as well as playing with the team.

Listen to the CD’s given regularly to familiarise yourselves with the music as well as grasp your harmonies. Keep in mind that the team will only be as musically proficient as the individuals that make it up.

7. Commitment to growing spiritually

This too is as important on an individual basis as it is with the team. As a leadership ministry, we need to be committed to maturing in Christ.

All participants must be born-again believers in Christ.

Members of the Praise and Worship Team are leaders - public leaders. Therefore, new or immature Christians will not be considered eligible.

8. Commitment to “flowing” with the team

More than individual expertise, our musical goal needs to be the ability to “flow” with the team. We need to look at our team as not just a collection of separate musicians but as a single unit with a single purpose.

Our heart attitude should not be to shine forth our own technical skill but to use that skill to enhance the team as a whole.

9. Commitment to being a witness outside of church walls

Should at any time during your involvement in the worship team you feel that your personal life is not reflecting what we are about or Christ, you may voluntarily step down so that His name and work would not be publicly mocked.

10. Support of family

It is important that the individual’s immediate family members are willing to accept the necessary time commitment and be a support to the individual.

11. Time commitment

All practice sessions are mandatory. In addition, there are seminars, special retreats and events, and more.

Involvement in this ministry needs to take high priority in your life next to family and work. It is therefore imperative that all dates scheduled on the calendar become a priority. All team members must make it their personal responsibility to manage their time/schedules to avoid any clashes with the Passion calendar. 

12. Dress Standard

As leaders, members of the Praise and Worship Team must consider how we dress when we minister. While there is great freedom in our church in this area, a leader must never selfishly insist on his or her rights.

Rather, we should have the mindset of the apostle Paul, "...if eating meat (or dressing a certain way) offends my brother, I will eat no meat". If necessary, the Worship Minister/Leader will determine what is (or is not) appropriate dress for our body.

Uniforms will be worn on most events as well as special occasions. This will be communicated to the team in advance to avoid any inconvenience.

It is recommended that every member has at least these basics in their wardrobe:

·         Black pair of trousers

·         Black Skirt (Ladies only)

·         White shirt

·         A pair of Jeans 
.    Black shoes

13. Submission

All Praise and Worship Team members must be willing to submit to the direction that the Worship Leader is taking.

Furthermore, all musicians and singers must be willing to follow the direction of the Music Minister (Director). Finally, all team members must be willing to submit one to another.

14. Worship session

The worship team need to be in position as soon as the service starts. Endeavour to bring along all items you may need (eg. water, tissues etc.) to prevent disruption. Once stationed do not leave your post OR LOITER AROUND.

Regardless of how many team members are stationed when service begins, DO NOT JOIN IN unless the worship leader invites you.

15. Memorization

All music lyrics used in worship sessions must be committed to memory.

Musicians should thoroughly learn Chords & Notes (Music), Arrangements and Rhythms. 


16. Length of Service

Members must note that no one is indispensable. If at any time the leadership upon observation feel that a particular individual(s) are failing to conform to the standards of the worship team, they may be asked to resign. 

By-laws would be amended as and when they become necessary.