In Part II, we talked through the details of our run-through and how we try to do as much as we can prep wise to ensure our worship & tech teams are taking care of. With that being said, let’s pick up where we left off and go over our first service: the Connector’s service.

9:00 AM: Connector’s Service
At Connect, we always want to make sure our volunteers are fed, appreciated and taken care of. Part of this is making sure they are not missing out by not being in the service for the worship and teaching. We don’t want anyone to not get involved because of them possibly missing the service. Also, preventing burnout is important. Therefore, we do an abbreviated 45 minute service for our volunteers at 9:00 AM. Typically, we do our normal countdown & welcome video, along with our opener and one more down song. In the past, it has consistently been our first and third song. Following the worship, Pastor Devin does a shortened version of his message, about 25-30 minutes. Our Connectors also have the opportunity to give in this service and take communion together if we are administering it in the main service that morning. This is also the time when we announce anything that is going on specific to the Connectors as well as general announcements.

9:45 AM: Team Prayer
At the conclusion of the Connector’s service, all of the teams (Connections, Worship, Kids) gather together and have a time of prayer, where we give individual requests and pray over the service. This is also a good time to give any last minute reminders to our teams before sending everyone out.

10:00 AM PreService Stations
Once prayer is over, teams dismiss to man their posts, whether that be parking, greeting, etc. The worship team at this point is encouraged to mingle around the sanctuary and lobby talking with new people or assisting in whatever way they can before the service at 10:30 AM. At this point, we do not have a green room or hang out space for the team because of our limited square footage. However, even if we did, I would still encourage the team to be doing this. We really believe in having a platform team that is touchable. The only time people see/interact with the platform team should not be when they are ministering/leading on Sundays. We never want to foster an “us and them” mentality. People are more likely to engage in worship if they trust the motive of the people leading worship. Remaining “touchable” to the congregation is one way to help build trust and continue to bridge the gap between the rows and the platform.

Being spiritually prepared for services on Sunday, as well as doing the proper preparation needed to take care of your volunteer teams is so crucial in order to do effective ministry. Although it can be tedious at times, preparation always pays off!