WORSHIP ARTS HANDBOOK
Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson, Pastor Dennis Williams, Worship Arts Director 2021-2022
TABLE OF CONTENT
Purpose Leadership General Etiquette New Ministry Opportunities Praise Team Dance Ministry Sound Ministry Media & Production Ministry Ministry Schedule Contact Information
According to Webster’s Dictionary, worship means “extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.” Each of us embodies worship through our choices that demonstrate our deep respect for God, who created each of us for worship. Yet, we must be mindful of who and what we worship. If you think about that “one thing” that you are not sure you could live without, in a sense, you worship that thing. Think about it, we constantly give time, energy, money, and attention to things or people we wish to honor and hold up as worthy of those resources. As Christians, however, we understand that there is only One who is worthy and deserving of our worship: Jesus Christ. We worship the Lord in countless ways. However, if you ask someone what it means to worship, he or she will most likely give an answer related to music. How many of us in the church consider the singing of music as the worship part of the service? While it is true that an entire service is an act of worship and the way we live our lives, many of us naturally single out the arts. Perhaps it is because the arts are a primary method through which we offer praise and adoration. In fact, the sole purpose of the arts is to bring glory to God! Every gift, ability, and creative passion from the Lord is for offering worship. Therefore, dancing, acting, creating visual art, and making and producing music are avenues for every culture to praise God.
LEADERSHIP The purpose of a Worship Arts Director is to guide and support the liturgical planning process and equip our worship arts leaders and musicians toward the manifestation of our church through various worship experiences. Our vision in all worship experiences is to: Celebrate God's reconciling love Reach out to those who do not know God's love in the context of a community being transformed by God's Spirit The specific responsibilities, in consultation with the pastor, may be divided into four major areas as follows: Leadership Capture a vision and philosophy of utilizing music and other forms of arts congruent with being a Christian congregation. Articulate and implement that vision and philosophy of worship with and through other staff and volunteers who participate in implementing worship experiences for the church. Develop a long-range worship plan in collaboration with the pastor. Establish standards for liturgical and other ministry experiences. Oversight Steward the liturgical planning and execution process. Supervise all Worship Arts leaders and staff to include all directors/coordinators, musicians, Media Ministry, and the Sound/Production Team. Coordinate with the Christian Education and Young People's Division Directors to create a culture in which children may participate freely in ministry experiences. Ensure copyright compliance by church administrative personnel. Oversee music resource maintenance by various music and administrative personnel. Development Incorporate the arts into our worship experiences where appropriate by equipping and encouraging drama, dance, visual, and other arts personnel. Maintain accountability for each service's worship philosophy and vision by providing prayer support, credible feedback, and mentoring, where needed, in the liturgical planning and execution process. Assist in identifying resources for the worship arts ministry. Identify and attend with others, as appropriate, seminars and conferences on worship leadership. Establish standards for worship activities and oversee evaluation against those standards to identify progress in achieving the vision. Identify, encourage, and integrate worshipers’ musical gifts into worship and special event services. Maintain a ministry of encouragement to all who offer themselves in the various forms of art or support of worship experiences.
Direct Involvement Assume liturgical planning responsibility for regularly scheduled services. Develop and plan major festive worship events. Assist in planning, as desired, various worship arts events or special services that may fulfill our vision (Praise Night, Jazz event, Christian Theater, Holy Week devotions, Sunday evening music services, etc.). Characteristics and Qualifications Love the Lord Jesus. Have a passion for worship and vibrant prayer life. Be familiar with and supportive of all worship styles and be acquainted with a wide body of worship arts literature. Possess a vision for worship and the ability to express that vision. Have a pastoral sense for mentoring and developing worship leadership and gifts in others. Demonstrate leadership and proficiency in the music ministry. Be knowledgeable in the use of worship arts and how they may be applied to our vision. .
Worship Arts Ministry Board Members Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson, Pastor Dennis Williams, Worship Arts Director Sis. Alda Blakeney Wright Bro. Ira Brown Sis. Lori Bullard Bro. Henry Porter Sis. Myra Johnson Scott Sis. Darnetta Simalton Sis. Willene White Smith Rev. Avis Snearl Sis. Vickie Thomas Bro. Victor Thomas Rev.Cheryl Walker Administrative Assistants Alyson Benton Ursula Thomas
General Etiquette It is expected that worship arts members conduct themselves as models for others to follow. As part of the inspiration and motivation that members seek to bring to Allen Temple AME Church Atlanta, members are asked to: 1. Show reverence and respect for our God when entering the sanctuary by refraining from loud or disruptive socializing. 2. Be punctual by: a) Reporting to rehearsal at least 15 minutes and services 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. b) Waiting to take his or her position until the end of the reading of scripture, song. No one should enter the choir loft while the choir is singing or once the proclamation of the word has begun. Consistent tardiness is to be addressed by the applicable ministries' president/coordinator/director. 3. Give undivided attention to the director/choreographer/coordinator 4. Respect the knowledge and abilities of the director/musician/choreographer/coordinator. 5. Ask questions and seek clarification at an appropriate time without causing disruption or delay during rehearsal. 6. Avoid private conversations during rehearsals. 7. Refrain from chewing gum or eating candy during service and rehearsals unless medically necessary.
New Ministry We welcome and encourage new worship arts genres. Do you have an area of giftedness that you want to share as a part of this ministry? Do you see the opportunity for a new area of worship arts? If you have a passion for some area of worship arts ministry that is not at Allen Temple, it is because you have not started it. Let's talk about what God has placed on your heart. Email a brief description of the ministry to www.worshiparts@allentempleatlanta.org.
Rehearsal Schedule: Once each week (TBA)
Expectations Each individual is strongly encouraged, in the body of Christ, to make God's praise glorious by leading the congregation in a collective time of praise. Praise Team Membership The membership of The Praise Team shall consist of dependable members from the Mass Choir selected by the Worship Arts Director or his or her designee. Members of the Praise Team are to be active members of the Mass Choir Members should be an example of a true worshipper in his or her public and private life setting. Members must be active participants in the Allen Temple's regular Sunday services Members must have the freedom to praise God openly. Members must demonstrate initiative in leadership. Members must arrive at services and functions on time. Members must wear appropriate clothing for worship as not to be a distraction to those worshipping in the congregation.
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and Harp. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Psalm 149:3-4
Liturgical Dance Liturgical Dance is a Christian expression of prayer or worship through body movement. Many different types of music can accompany these dances. The dancers push out a message that has been divinely inspired. The dancers will respond with an appropriate dance that flows out of the music and enhances the prayer or worship experience. Dances may be either spontaneous or have been choreographed ahead of time. It is generally fitted to the song's lyrics that specifically focus on biblical concepts if it is choreographed. Flags and Banners Flags and banners are used as a tool for breakthrough and freedom, for praise, worship, spiritual warfare, exalt the Lord, celebrate revival and intercession while bringing the fullness of Christ. Therefore, as we minister with flags and banners, we declare to the body of Christ that the Lord Is Our Banner. Our flags identify us as His children, His messengers, His servants, His Salt, His Light, and His beacons on earth. Flag and banner worship arts ministers are called to lift a standard against our adversaries to put them to flight, identify ourselves as children of the Most High God, be a testimony of Christ, and exalt our Lord. Additional movement ministries, such as mime and choreomovement are encouraged.
Purpose Serving as Sound Technician helps ensure the church accomplishes its mission by producing creative and inspiring weekend services and special events. General Description The Sound Technician serves as part of the Tech Team during all applicable ministry experiences supporting the Worship Arts. Scheduled on a rotating basis, the Sound Technician configures, operates, and troubleshoots all audio equipment used to execute weekend services and special events. This includes audio equipment connection, soundboard setup/configuration, sound checks, and other testing, and soundboard operation during rehearsal(s) and production of all weekend services and special events. Time Commitment The Tech Team serves during weekend services as well as during special events as scheduled. Sound Technicians are asked to serve all scheduled services at least one weekend per month. Sound Technicians are also recruited as needed to staff a Tech Team for special events. In addition to serving as part of weekend services, Sound Technicians will be asked to attend periodic team meetings and training sessions. Specific Duties and Responsibilities 1. Arrive at the scheduled time and start soundcheck at least 1 hour before each scheduled ministry experience. 2. Evaluate the status of the soundboard and reconfigure it as needed. 3. Check, replace batteries in, and distribute wireless microphones and other equipment as needed to equip band members, speakers, etc. 4. Coordinate and direct sound checks with band members and others involved in the production to ensure equipment is functioning properly and that proper sound levels and the sound mix are obtained. 5. Attend walkthrough meetings with other production team members to review the service order and other important service production details. 6. Conduct rehearsal to fully understand service details and practice transitions and audio cues to minimize distractions during the service(s). 7. Coordinate with other Tech Team members to produce the service/special event as planned. 8. Attend at least one practice the week before the weekend you are scheduled to serve. 9. Attend regular Tech Team meetings and training sessions. Training, Resources, and Other Requirements Attending periodic conferences and/or seminars/training sessions is regularly required to ensure the church's best tools and techniques in the production of weekend services. The Sound Technician reports to the Worship Arts Director.
Ministry Mission The ministry’s mission is to glorify God by ensuring that God's Word and our praise and song to God is seen and heard clearly and without distraction or interference within our local church and throughout the world as it is broadcasted or distributed on media with the highest video, audio, and production quality available. Media Ministers Media Ministers work behind the scenes to make it possible to share the message of a church with large groups of people through amplified sound, recordings, PowerPoint and other visual presentations, Web pages, and a wealth of other forms of communication. In some congregations, the lead Media Minister is a paid staff person who coordinates the efforts of a team of media ministry volunteers, Ministry Outline Although this ministry covers all local church needs that have to do with audio and visual technology, the most requested and needed functions of the ministry include: Broadcasting live audio and video to the worship center and internet. Recording audio and video during regular church services and special events. Audio and video editing or recorded services and other special events for archive, broadcast, and production. Production, duplication, and distribution of recorded audio and video files to fulfill order requests, sermon messages, and other special events. Providing audio and video support for evangelistic outreach and other special events outside of the church building.
MEDIA& PRODUCTION MINISTRY
Ministry Schedule This ministry schedule is subject to change based on ministry needs and directives by the pastor.
1st Sunday Choir #1
2nd Sunday Mass Choir
3rd Sunday Voices of Allen Templelites
4th Sunday Mass Choir
5th Sunday Male Chorus
Each Sunday your choir is scheduled you are to report to the choir room by 9:45 AM. Musicians are to be ready for soundcheck by 9:45 AM...NOT SETTING UP. Sound Technician must have all Equipment ready by 9:00 AM. Praise & Worship team should be at church by 9:40 AM for mic check. 9:50 AM 9:55 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM
We all Pray (Choir, Musicians, Praise Team) Everyone in place meditating that God would show up in service, Not talking, Not Playing, PRAYING! Praise & Worship begins Service begins
Contact Information Susan H. Buckson, DMin, Pastor 678-570-2400 pastor.allentempleatlanta@gmail.com Dennis Williams, Worship Arts Director 919-945-6675 dennisjrwilliams@outlook.com Ministry Sound Media Dance Choir #1 Voices of Allen Male Chorus Templelites Music Director
Leader TBD D'Juan Marsell Poe, II Alda Mlakeney Wright Ira Brown Myra Johnson Scott Bill Jackson Willene White-Smith Maria Blackwell
Email poedjuan@gmail.com ablackney@comcast.net brown_ira@bellsouth.net ladyastro57@bellsouth.net nelajean@aol.com blackwellatina73@yahoo.com
Ministry Contact Email worshiparts@allentempleatlanta.org
Phone 313-623-7693 404-520-9910 404-225-8909 404-697-7219 404-696-0567 404-273-1626 404-304-0253