Here are some tips that I thought might be useful when starting up a worship band.

• Poll your own congregation to discover the home grown talent you already have in your pews. Don’t forget to check in with youth and adults.
• Most worship bands include a lead guitar, a bass guitar, drums, a keyboard, and vocalists.
• If you don’t have a full band in your own pews, call a meeting with other churches in your region. You may be able to put together a worship band that plays at two or more churches in the region.
• Still don’t have enough instruments in your band? Advertise for band members at the highschool, and in the newspaper.
• Once you have band, it is time to begin looking for music. I would suggest purchasing worship CD’s from your local Christian store to get an idea for music you like. I would recommend WOW Worship (this is a yearly compilation of the best music) and Here I am to Worship I/II (another compilation).
• Most lyrics and music tabs are available on the internet. Check out the following:
  • Higher Praise
  • Christian Music Web
• I would also recommend using traditional hymns from Voices United and play them using the band as a new medium for older music.
• WARNING: Many Christian artists give permission for blanket use of their music Christian settings. It is your responsibility to ensure you have permission to use their music.
• Once you have the sheet music, and know how the music goes let your band loose to practice.
• Another way for your band to expand their musical repertoire is to invite an already existing worship band to come and teach them. In Middlesex presbytery Metropolitan United Church has a worship band (519-432-7189).
• Once your worship band is ready to go, remember: A worship band is just that; a form of WORSHIP. Help your worship band keep focussed on engaging your congregation in worship - rather than allowing them to become a performance tool.

Good Luck and feel free to contact me (editor: who's me?) with questions!