An article in Bass Player Magazine (October 1999) started with the following quote:

"Don't like smoke-filled clubs? Want a steady gig in which you can concentrate on your chops -- one that's mostly weekend daytime hours, playing for an appreciative audience that doesn't care how old or young or hip-looking you are? If that's your dream job, check out church. But not any church -- just the ones that are bringing in the crowds."

Needless to say, this was published in a secular magazine. I doubt that you would run across such an article in a worship magazine. Nonetheless, articles like this challenge us to examine our motives. Why do we worship the way we do?

What comes to mind when you think of worship? Do you envision a 50-person robed choir singing praises with an organ accompaniment? Maybe you see a seven-piece, rock-style praise band. How about a single worship leader and piano leading the congregation?

At Legacy Drive we have evolved through each of these styles, allowing the Spirit of God to lead our style and decision to use a praise band that is quite in leading worship. We have gone from a piano and bass seven years ago to a seven-piece praise band consisting of approximately 15 musicians who rotate on a scheduled basis. Getting there was no easy task, but we're at a point where each musician has come to support a team effort in leading successful worship. The role of the praise band is key in what can be accomplished from week to week; however, it should be important to note that we don't necessarily rely on our talents to lead worship but in God's lead in providing the talent on a weekly basis. It works!

Starting with a Calling
Creating a praise band begins with calling. A praise band filled with musicians with a heart for God and leading worship is a challenge only because it takes time to grow as a team. Each musician has to have a sense of calling for this ministry. None of the musicians serving in the praise band at Legacy are paid. We're not soloists. Egos are checked at the door. Checks are not written. Names do not appear in the weekly bulletin. Oh, and that $2,000 guitar being used -- no one noticed.

Is this humbling? Yes, but that's the point. A calling to lead worship is all about humility. We must be willing to be part of the component that is key to leading worship and know that the audience is God and not the congregation or a fellow musician. The reward is in knowing that God was pleased. For this group of musicians, it's about calling. First Peter 4:10 says, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms" (NIV). Serving in the Legacy Drive praise band is about serving one another and ultimately God -- not a steady weekly gig.

Engaging the Congregation
Engaging the congregation in worship should be one of the focal points of leading worship. When the congregation doesn't respond, the mark of leading worship was missed. During worship planning at Legacy Drive, one of the factors discussed is based on our familiarity with our congregation, and that is, what type of response do we hope to get? What type of worship element are we trying to create? Are we establishing an essence of worship, praise, thanksgiving, or adoration? What is being said? Pray about the lyrics. Own the lyrics. If you own the songs you're leading, the congregation will notice, and they, too, will join in the celebration. Engage the congregation.

Establishing the Groove
The heart of any band lies in the strengths of the drummer and bass players. (In case you're wondering as you read this, I'm neither.) At a recent Maranatha workshop, I had the opportunity to meet Carl Albrecht (drummer) and Greg Cavillo (bassist). These two musicians have played and recorded so much music together that they played like a single unit. During one of the breakout sessions, Carl and Greg explained the importance of anticipating where the other is going and laying down the fundamental groove for the rest of the praise band, singers, and congregation to lock into. Seeing Carl and Greg demonstrate this during the session had just about everyone in the room tapping their foot. The point here is that these two instruments create the pocket, tempo, drive, and rhythm for worship. Too much "groove" can damage a sensitive time during worship, and not enough can leave the congregation wondering where the praise band was going. At Legacy Drive, we work on hitting our groove during each rehearsal. Because there are four drummers and three bass players in rotation, we will get a different groove each time. Once the groove is established, all of the other instruments that add the melodies and harmonies will have an established foundation, and the congregation will respond!

Preparing Personally
Along with calling, personal preparation is equally important to the success of the team on a weekly basis. Each musician needs to make the time and apply the effort necessary to help reach the goals set for leading worship. At Legacy Drive, our efforts in preparing musicians include workshops, tapes, CDs, score availability seven days in advance and an Internet Web site providing schedules, music, and some scores on the Web. The goal is to make the Wednesday night praise band rehearsal a "dress" rehearsal and not the first time musicians run through the music.

Personal preparation is not just about reading scores; it's about reading through the songs. How does the song tie in with the message? Each song was selected for a purpose. How does this song affect me in my walk with our Savior? Pray about the lyrics. Find an element in your life where a song has a particular meaning. All of these issues are part of personal preparation. We try to spend time on the spirit part of leading worship. God has already provided the ability

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