VICTORY BAPTIST CHURCH, AJAH.

PRAISE TEAM HANDBOOK

OVERVIEW
The Faith Choir of Victory Baptist Church is a group represented within the worship ministry of
the church. Within the Faith Choir is a core group of individuals who have been saddled with the
extra responsibility of leading and backing up praises during the church services as required.
This group is selected based on some factors that will be highlighted below. The Praise team is a
group of choristers who have been selected voluntarily from the core choir group. This group
embodies a level of musical soundness and availability to the course of leading songs during the
worship services as required by the church.

This document presents a template and guidelines for joining the praise team of Victory Baptist
Church. A core group but a sub-division of the Faith Choir.

VISION, PURPOSE AND PRIORITY

Vision
To be a team with a strong cohesiveness regarding individual talents, styles and purpose in our
attempt to provide the best environment for worship

Purpose
Our purpose revolves around providing a worship experience that connects every individual
believer to an atmosphere that encourages a positive corporate encounter while leading them to
a personal form of communion with God.

Priorities
We intend to invest our time, talent and available resources to make sure that our service in the
ministry is fully functional while concentrating on cohesiveness. We also strive towards personal
growth and development in every aspect of leading which will help include quality and
authenticity into our worship.
EXPECTATIONS

Availability and Attendance- (1 Peter 4:10)

Praise team duties are quite demanding as the team is required to spend more time rehearsing
than the general choir. Members of the team must therefore be available for rehearsals and
ministrations. This is a very major requirement to be on the team. The implication of this is to have
the consent of the husband or the wife of members (for married couples) and also the consent of
parents for those still living under the roof of their parents.

This will also imply that the one to lead the praise will need to meet with the musician an hour
before the main choir rehearsal to help out with the fine-tuning of the arrangements before the
praise team rehearsal. All members are also expected to attend the general rehearsal without
any form of compromise. Be on time, ready for all rehearsals and worship-leading opportunities.
(Come early enough to set up your equipment and be ready.) Concentrate on all activities, not
just those involving you.

To be fully engaged and committed to the ministry. This means attending Bible Study, Prayer, and
Sunday morning service.

Spirituality - (1 Corinthians 2:14, Galatians 5:22-23)

Leading or backing up praises during any service within the church is a serious spiritual exercise.
Praise team members are leaders who are expected to lead the church in Spirit and truth. Hence
praise team members are required to be spiritually sound Christians who are making steady
positive progress in their walk with God.

Humility and Respect - (Matthew 20:26-28, 1 Thess. 5:11-13, Eph. 4:1-7)

Members of the praise team must as a matter of service to God show a level of maturity
regarding being humble and showing respect to each other. No member of the group is
permitted to disrespect another member no matter their level of musical prowess. We must be
open to receiving other people's suggestions. God will only lift us and support our ministry when
we humble ourselves before Him.
Discipline - (Titus 1:8, 2 Peter 1:5-7)

Be polite and please be courteous when others are rehearsing. This means not playing one's
instrument or talking loudly when others are rehearsing. No cell phone usage during practice.
When the music stops, please wait for instructions. Positive comments are welcome during
rehearsal. Problems should be discussed with the worship leader privately.

Conflict Resolution - (Matthew 18:15-20, Galatians 5:13-16)

There will be some conflicts at some point and this is not out of place. But this must be dealt with
maturely. All conflicts must be resolved as much as possible so as not to disrupt the flow of God
when we lead people to worship God.

Responsible Lifestyle - (Nehemiah 10:28-29, Romans 12:1-2)

Members of the team must intentionally work on living and leading a responsible lifestyle that is
consistent with the teachings of the scriptures. Church members should not be able to point
accusing fingers at us.

Members are to dress appropriately to lead worship so as not to draw attention to self but to
keep the focus of the congregation on God. We need to be aware that we are above the eye
level of the congregation in full view of people and cameras.

Specifically, there should not be exposure of midriffs, undergarments, etc., no excessively tight
clothing, and no torn clothing that causes distraction.

Basic musical knowledge - (Proverbs 22:29, 1 Chronicle 22:15-16, 2

Chronicles 2:7)

Praise team members are expected to have basic music skills, especially for part singing. Part
singing is a major and significant activity for praise team members. Intending members must be
able to show some level of comfort singing different parts of a song.
Growth focused - (1 Timothy 4:15, 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, Colossians 3:23)

Praise team members should be ready to learn and grow both spiritually and musically. They are
expected to get involved in personal and corporate training opportunities to improve their skills
both musically and in worship leading. Use your talents to the best of your ability, worshipping
with your entire being (yes, this means heart, soul, mind, hands, feet, face – inside and out).

Precautionary Statement.

In an attempt that an individual does not or could not meet the expectations above:

● Such individuals will be notified and encouraged to start meeting expectations.

● If one consistently falls below expectations, he/she will be taken off regular rotation and
placed on a substitute list.
● If improvement is made, they will have the opportunity (not automatically) to be placed
back in the rotation.
● If an individual is not in attendance for a scheduled practice, they will not participate on
Sunday morning.
● However, certain circumstances may be excused as deemed by the Worship Minister or
the Head of Department.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of praise team members include

● Praise leading and backup.

● Projecting vocally during choir ministration.
● Standing in for the general choir when the need arises
● Taking the lead in their parts during choir rehearsals to ensure members in each part sing
the right thing.
● Praying for the choir and every ministration.
● Handling microphones for each part when required but not automatically, as other choir
members will also be involved.
PROCEDURE FOR ADMISSION

Choir members who intend to join the praise team will go through an audition that will be
conducted twice a year by the leadership of the choir. Those who scale through will be admitted
into the praise team. New members will attend rehearsals and observe closely how things are
done for a month, after which they can join the team for ministration. During this period,
observations will be made about their person.

VOCAL AUDITION EVALUATION

1. Accurate Pitch – Speaks to the ability to learn and sing accurate notes at the appropriate
times. It means listening to yourself, the other singers, and the instruments, and
self-correcting any sharp or flat tendencies in a particular song. It also speaks to your use
of vibrato, which itself is a variation of pitch.
2. Rhythmic Precision – This speaks to your ability to sing phrases correctly as they are
rhythmically notated and intended. Are you dragging? Are you cutting off too early or
holding on too late?
3. Appropriate Tone – Speaks to the quality of your vocal tone with which you sing in
particular sections of songs. Is it appropriate for the song? Should it be strong? Should it
be tender? Should it be loose? Should it be precise?
4. Blend – Speaks to the mixing of your voice with the other singers. Are you listening to the
other singers? Does your voice stick out? Is it too loud? Are you singing too softly?
5. Encouraging Presentation – Speaks to how you appear as a lead worshipper. Are you
connecting with the congregation through eye contact and facial expression? Do you
encourage clapping or other outward forms of worship? Do you have a stoic expression
with your eyes glued to the back monitor? Are you real or overly rehearsed?
6. Music Style – Speaks to the exposure, understanding, and experience with different
musical styles, especially today's praise and worship genre. Do you have the ability to
express that style with your voice?
7. Ear – Speaks to the ability to hear and respond to vocal strengths and weaknesses. Can
you self-correct? Are you able to ad-lib or sing in harmony? Can you tell when you are
succeeding or failing in these areas?
INSTRUMENTAL AUDITION EVALUATION

1. Music Reading – This speaks to your ability to read lead sheets, chord sheets,
instrumental parts, etc. Can you read and follow notes on a staff? For rhythm section
instruments, can you read and follow chord charts if necessary? Can you follow lead
sheets with chords and a vocal line only?
2. Number system – Can follow the band according to the numbers called out in the
sequence (1,4, 5, repeat, etc..) for cadence structuring of a song and able to quickly adapt,
be creative, and adjust spontaneously.
3. Rhythmic Precision – Speaks to the ability to play accurate rhythms in a precise manner
with the other players and singers as the song dictates. Can you keep in time?
4. Musicality – Speaks to the accuracy and exposure of certain rhythms, chord structures,
and moods of certain song styles. Does the instrumentation fight or enhance other
aspects of the worship presentation? Is it in sync with and is it sensitive to the other
players and singers?
5. Music Style – Speaks to the exposure, understanding, and experience with different
musical styles, especially today's praise and worship genre. Do you have the ability to
express that style with your instrument?

REHEARSALS

The praise team meets for one and a half hours after choir rehearsal every Saturday. However,
when the need arises extra rehearsal times may be communicated.

Weekly rehearsal will focus majorly on addressing members, praise arrangements and choir
presentations for Sunday. It is expected that the leader for that day runs through all the songs for
part sorting and then a dress rehearsal is done at the end.

Every praise team member is required to participate fully in the rehearsal. This implies that
singing on Sunday or not, every praise team member is expected to attend the rehearsal.

“Praise team rehearsal is compulsory for every praise team member”

INTERVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
These are not interview questions, only some things to ask yourself for personal evaluation and
inventory.
1. Are you faithful?
Think about your exposure, understanding, and devotion to the Worship Ministry's
purpose, vision, and values.
● Is worship evident throughout the week in the form of prayer, devotions, and
accountability in your own life?
● What do you watch on TV throughout the week?
● What websites do you frequent, and what do you do for fun?
● Would anything change if Jesus was physically walking with you for a week?

2. Are you available? Can you commit the time?

● Stay until rehearsal is finished. Normal timeframes are 1:30 hours – 1:45 hours,
adjustments are made according to team dynamics.
● Not often, but there may be special occasions for us to render music outside of
Sunday, we will schedule in advance.
● When you are unable to make it, communicate early so the team can make any
necessary adjustments.
3. Can you be prompt?
● We strive to start on time, 6:30 pm means we start at 6:30 pm. Members should be
there early enough for setup.
● Grab your seat.
● Grab your microphone and check the sound levels.
● Take out a notebook, and paperwork.
● Ask questions at the appropriate time without causing any distractions.
4. Can you be prepared? Being prepared looks like this:
● You studied the words and can follow the song changes (lead, call response,
verse, vamp, etc..)
● You studied the cadence of the song to know what to say when you commence
singing and can adapt quickly.
 ● You made notes, memorized scripture, and made personal adjustments to help
you show up ready at your post to sing.
5. Are you teachable? Two aspects readily reveal heart attitude:
● Are you open to new ideas and teaching (regarding vocal or instrumental playing
skills)? - 1
● If asked, how easily would you receive a suggestion for additional training? - 2
● Are you willing to take ideas and suggestions from a vocalist or instrumentalist
within the ministry? Outside the ministry?
● Keep in mind that the spiritual aspect of this ministry far outweighs talent or ability.

AUDITION QUESTIONS
This aspect of the guidelines becomes very important in admitting anyone into the praise team.
The response to the questions below should be returned to the worship minister one week
before the scheduled audition. The individual to be auditioned should write clearly on a sheet of
paper or send his/her response via electronic mail (e-mail).

1. What is your music background and experience? (choirs, bands, soloing, etc.)
2. Please share any experience leading groups of people vocally, instrumentally, or
otherwise.
3. Do you read music? If yes, how did you learn to read?
4. In your own words, what is the role of a praise leader? Leading / Backup?
5. Why do you feel called to be a praise leader?
6. In what other ministries or areas are you involved at Victory Baptist Church, Ajah?
7. What's the greatest risk you have ever taken for Christ? How did it play out?
8. Please share a time when you experienced a great need and how God met it.
9. What weekly Bible study are you a part of and how has that involvement impacted you?
10. What gifts other than your musical abilities will you bring to the praise team?
11. Please briefly share your conversion testimony.
CONCLUSION

As a team, we seek to work with God and establish His covenant of praise by leading people into
the holies of holies while not missing out on the blessings of God. The intention is to build an
atmosphere where God can strive freely as worshippers experience God through praises. The
praise team will show up ready and in a position to lead the people while no power will be
attributed to Satan in any way. We will continue to press towards the mark until we hear
“Weldone my faithful servant.

It should also be noted that periodically, the praise team will be analysed, re-assessed and
re-evaluated. The result of the evaluation would determine if the team be dissolved to allow a
fresh start.

COVENANT STATEMENT
If I am chosen to be part of the Faith Choir Praise Team, I commit to fulfilling my responsibilities
outlined within this handbook toward the end of excellence, remembering always that my labour
is for God in His kingdom.

Name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Date: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Signature: ……………………………………………………………………………………………..