You Need More FAT People On Your Worship Team

Qualities to look for when recruiting new team members

Last August, I accepted a part-time worship director position at a local church here in Kansas City. After just a couple of weeks into my new role, I quickly realized that I needed to recruit more people on the worship team. Sound familiar?

One day I was discussing this challenge with my senior pastor and he said something that I’ll never forget. He told me to look for people who are Faithful, Available, and Teachable. I immediately started to refer to them as FAT people…just so I can remember it easily.

I’ve been leading worship for over 15 years now and this is my favorite phrase so far, it sums up what type of people we should look for.

You know how to shred on the guitar? Great! But, are you a faithful person? Are you faithful to God, to your spouse and kids? What about other commitments?

He's the best bass player in town? Awesome! But, is he available to play on the worship team at least once a month? Is he available and willing to serve in other areas of ministry besides playing the bass? Let’s avoid the I’m-A-Bass-Player-So-I’m-Too-Good-To-Do-Anything-Else Syndrome.

You’ve been singing for 30 years? Wow! That’s incredible! But, are you teachable? Are you willing to continue learning and honing your skill? Are you open to suggestions during rehearsal? Are you able to adapt to our way of leading worship?

When you are desperate for singers and musicians, it can be tempting to lower your standards and just let anyone that has a heartbeat join the team. However, I want to encourage you to look for FAT people. If they don’t seem to be around, be patient and wait for them. 

Let’s pray for more FAT people in our churches!! 

Wisdom Moon is a husband, father, worship leader, songwriter, and Founder of All About Worship & Kingdom Songs. He was born in South Korea, but spent most of his life in Silicon Valley (California), and currently resides in Kansas with his wife and three kids. Wisdom has been involved in worship ministry for over 20 years. He currently serves on staff at a local church as a part-time Worship Director, helps Christian companies with their digital marketing, as well as continuing to run the day-to-day operations of All About Worship and Kingdom Songs.

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Comments

FAT is good

Submitted by LivingHopeMusic1 on June 5, 2014 - 9:40am.

Excellent post. This was a timely message for me. Being a part of a new church plant, there is always a servant position open for the multitude of ministries within the church. This applies beautifully to the music ministry, but as a whole this should be the description of any servant of the church. God is honored when humble servants readily and willingly serve the body of Christ.

Our church's music ministry is just in it's "toddler" stage. We started small with worship music tracks and had faithful, committed servants work hard over the past few years. We are now a group with piano, acoustic, electric and bass guitars. Still awaiting patiently for God to provide us with a FAT percussionist. God has proven faithful to provide His church in the time of need. It has been an absolute joy to participate in the musical aspect of corporate worship within the church.

Do these jeans make me look FAT?

Submitted by Eveline Gray (not verified) on February 26, 2015 - 12:18pm.

Wisdom, thanks so much for this insight. This makes me think about my own personal daily attitude: Am I faithful in what I say I will do? Am I available to help others if needed? Do I have a teachable, humble spirit when called out? Those of us who are worship leaders need a FAT team to function effectively and to lead us collectively in worship, but I appreciate this reminder to be FAT in all I do, whether it's making attentive, pointed time with my kids, or being punctual to a meeting. Thanks, Wisdom!