The churches of Christ have a rich heritage of vocal music that emphasizes simplicity, participation and community. Our music leaders and our praise team lead a mix of contemporary and traditional songs that lead worshipers to rejoice, reflect and refocus. Our church uses notated music projected onto the screens during worship.  Most guests are inspired by the blend of harmonies and the sheer volume of hundreds of voices lifted in praise. Would you like to be on a team of people who share that same passion? Join our praise team and use your gifts to honor God!

Praise Team Requirements:

Our Praise Teams sing with the worship leader to provide vocal leadership in each of our worship gatherings. Each team usually consists of eight singers with microphones (2 sopranos, 2 altos, 2 tenors and 2 basses). This ministry provides a weekly opportunity for singers to use their gifts to help people offer meaningful and heartfelt worship to God.

Heart Qualities

  • Worship lifestyle: The most important thing is that we worship the Lord with our life, not just our lips. Romans 12:1 reminds us that all of our life is worship to God. We need to strive for consistent character whether we are behind a microphone in our gatherings or behind a desk at work.
  • Servant-hearted: This ministry is not about performing for others, it is about serving others. We are not singing into microphones to make a name for ourselves, but to lift up the Name of Jesus.
  • Team player: We aren’t just here to share our voices, but to share our lives as well. It is a blessing to witness the care and concern Praise Team members have for one another. We’re family!
  • Dependable: We are looking for men and women who will make this ministry a priority. Each singer in this ministry is asked to participate as often as you are able. We also ask that you be at rehearsals (Wednesdays, at 7:00 p.m. – location: Auditorium).

Vocal qualities:

  • Singing in tune: If you have watched American Idol try-outs, you know that some can sing in tune and some cannot. Since praise team singers will be singing into a microphone to lead their respective vocal part, it is very important that each person sing in tune.
  • A basic understanding of music: Do you know what part you sing? Can you find your part on a sheet of music? Do you have a basic understanding of harmony? If you answered yes to these questions, you have the basic skills we’re looking for.
  • Quick learner: Some singers can look at a piece of music for the first time and sing it through flawlessly. Others can learn it if someone sings with them a few times. Still others have the ability to harmonize. Whether you learn music by sight or by ear, there is a place for you on our team.
  • Blending: We aren’t looking for solo voices; we are looking for people who can blend with others. Each singer will be coupled with another singer on his/her voice part. It is imperative that you be able to sing in tune with the leader and the other singers on the team.

How Do I Get Involved?

We will audition any church member who has interest by appointment. You will be given an orientation to the ministry and have an opportunity to sing with the praise team. Here is what you’ll need to do:

  • Pick up a Praise Team Information pamphlet at the information center.
  • Set up an interview to discuss the pamphlet and audition.
  • Schedule and attend an audition with Chad

Did you say, “audition?”
Is it OK to have “auditions?” Actually, we are quite comfortable with the concept.  Think about when a preaching minister is hired. How is he selected? We hold auditions. We might have called it a “try-out” or a “preacher search” but it is still the same thing. After all, just because someone says they can preach, doesn’t necessarily mean they can. In the same way, we want to make sure that the people who say they’d like to sing on the praise team actually have the ability to do so.

Will I have to sing by myself?
No.  Team members of the praise team practice together.  Members of the team sit together with those who sing their same part. We are not looking for soloists or performers. We are looking for people who can blend with a group.

Do I have to be able to sight-read music?
No. Several of our current members don’t read music very well. They have an ability to harmonize and blend with their partner. The bottom line is that everyone in the current group is willing to put forth whatever effort in order to know their part when it comes time to worship.  The team often works on music reading abilities, blending, and interpretation.

Do I have to know all the new songs?
No. In most cases, the new songs we learn are new to the entire praise team. We will spend at least an hour in rehearsal for each service we participate in. We all help each other learn our parts.