WHAT AM I COMMITTING TO?

Great question! At worship@PCC, there are a set of values that we as ministers of the gospel and ministers to our church must connect with. Also, we have set down a short list of basic, practical ideals and guidelines. You will remember in joining the group that you will have signed the Worship Ministry Covenant and in doing so, agreed to the following:

LIFE COMMITMENT
Realising that God planned me before my birth and that He uniquely shaped me for His purpose, I have resolved
to live the rest of my life seeking to know and fulfill the Life Mission God made me for and to rely on His power to accomplish it. I understand that my spiritual journey includes four crucial elements as a Christ follower and I commit to strengthen them:
Worship – theologically, practically, strategically central to our lives, as both an event and a lifestyle
Grow – knowing that we are to be transformed through Christ, growing closer to Him
Serve – faithfully and willingly caring for and serving others as Christ served others
Share – sharing our time, abilities, resources and faith with others

“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advanced for us to do.”
- Ephesians 2:10

LEADERSHIP COMMITMENT
Being involved in the worship ministry presents a unique opportunity to serve Parramatta Christian Centre. God has called you not only to minister on a regular basis to the members, but also to be an example in behaviour and character to those seeking Christ as well as to fellow believers. Setting an example in thought, word and deed and involved a number of different things such as growing in Christ, responding to others in love, and sharing the gospel with unbelievers. I understand that being a part of the worship ministry increases my visibility to others. Though I am not perfect, I will try to live an Ephesians 5 lifestyle:

“Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children.”
- Ephesians 5:1

MINISTRY COMMITMENT
Along the lines of the Leadership Commitment, setting a good example by fulfilling your commitments is vitally important to serving in ministry. Parramatta Christian Centre’s Worship Ministry participants are expected to punctually attend each rehearsal and ministry event. In addition, time must often be set aside to practice and prepare. Of course unforeseen circumstances often arise. Don’t panic! Have a great time serving the Lord, just bear in mind that following through with your commitment to this ministry is actually part of ministering to the needs of God’s people. Being faithful to this commitment can be just as important to your personal testimony as is the use of your gifts and abilities.

I understand the Life, Leadership and Ministry Commitments that are required to participate in the Worship Ministry at Parramatta Christian Centre and I commit to them.

Questions and Answers (I Hope!)

Team Rotation and Commitment: In order to help build community, continuity and excellence, in the majority of cases we will roster people one week on, one week off. We want everyone to have the chance to minister and also the chance to be ministered to without the pressure of being on stage – not forgetting that ministry to Him comes first, then ministry to our church. The on-stage is merely an overflow of your life of worship, so take advantage of the time out, enjoy praising God without having to focus on cues, lyrics or chords!

Rehearsal Schedule: Our monthly rehearsal for the weekend worship services will run from 7.30 to 9.30 pm the last Thursday of every month and will include time for introducing new pieces, working parts on new arrangements of old pieces and potentially learning “special music” pieces to be sung as a “choir”. During these times we will also endeavour to learn more about the theological side of worship, engage in team building exercises and yes, have fun. This rehearsal is not optional. ALL participants are expected to be available for rehearsal to begin at 7.30pm.

Preparation:
• Step #1 – The Worship Ministry staff is committed to planning services 6 weeks in advance. This will allow us to get specific service information to our teams at least 2 weeks in advance to their weekend to lead. Our desire is to do this via email.
• Step #2 – The Worship Ministry Team will commit to come to rehearsal prepared to rehearse as a group, not as individuals. In other words, having received the service information at least 2 weeks prior to the rehearsal, team members will be expected to arrive knowing the service and having rehearsed their parts. In order to maximise our time as a group each member will depend on each other to have their music learned and ready.

Attendance: In addition to preparation, a commitment to attendance (both on and off the stage) is crucial to our ministry. While I know that emergencies, sicknesses, work schedules and life in general will sometimes cause us to miss a rotation, the expectation is that when your team is scheduled, you will be there. In the event that something unforeseen comes up, as early as possible we would appreciate notice so as to coordinate someone to replace you that day.

Other “Stuff”: Many of the other questions you have – things like dress code (yes we really do have one). Dress must be appropriate to each event. Please ensure you are dressed modestly and you are well presented. Please do not wear transparent clothing, jeans, track shoes, thongs, mini skirts, short tops that reveal your tummy, strapless tops, shirts with deep plunging necklines. Our reason for being up on stage is not to attract praise or attention but to point others to Christ. All glory is His and our walk, our talk, our dress and our demeanour must reflect this.

Attitude: Please be attentive in the services, listen to the speakers, do not fidget or chat on stage, please stand upright unless you are playing an instrument that requires you to sit. Every rehearsal music and lyrics will be given out for any new songs. Please ensure that you keep this in a black folder and bring the folder to the weekend services and monthly Meetings. The administration for church will no longer maintain our music and lyrics. We will be solely responsible for ensuring we bring our music and lyrics to weekend services.

I want to leave you with a reminder of why we do what we do:

• “THEREFORE, I URGE YOU, BROTHERS IN VIEW OF GOD’S MERCY. TO OFFER YOUR BODIES AS LIVING SACRIFICES, HOLY AND PLEASING TO GOD, THIS IS YOUR SPIRITUAL ACT OF WORSHIP - ROMANS 12:1,2

• YET A TIME IS COMING AND HAS NOW COME WHEN THE TRUE WORSHIPPERS WILL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH, FOR THEY ARE THE KIND OF WORSHIPPERS THE FATHER SEEKS, GOD IS SPIRIT, AND HIS WORSHIPPERS MUST WORSHIP IN THE SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH – JOHN 4: 23,24

Our call to serve the people of Parramatta Christian Centre and to reach the community of Parramatta for Christ is one of lifestyle worship. If our lives don’t speak worship through the week, how can our gifts speak it on the weekends? I am excited about what God is going to do through our Worship Ministry as I anticipate He is ready to do great things! I look forward to your being a part of it.

Peace in Christ,
Andrew Mihaleff

God bless and thank you for being involved in PCC's music ministry!