Orientation and Training For Music Search Teams Looking for a new Minister of Music or Worship Leader


This resource was adapted for South Carolina Baptist Churches by Mark Powers, director, Worship & Music Office, South Carolina Baptist Convention, from “Transmap” by Monty Hale.

It is very "practical help” for church members entrusted with serving on the Music Minister/Worship Leader Search Team. This presentation gives the Team a step-by-step process to seek God's person for the high calling of worship leading in their local church.

Mark also has a PowerPoint© presentation available that is really helpful to the congregation and the committee. If you would like this, email Mark at markpowers@scbaptist.org and he will send it to you. Please understand: it is “Baptist” oriented [hence the male pronouns], but still helpful to other denominations.

Getting Ready to Go - A Staff Position is Vacant

• Fill the position temporarily with a volunteer leader as soon as possible.
• Elect and train the Music Search Committee.  (Note: Paid music staff who will work under the new Worship Leader’s supervision should not serve on the committee.)
• Choose/organize a transition music leadership team to continue to lead ongoing music groups and worship services.
• Call full-time Music Ministers and university music departments in your area for referrals.
• Utilize musical ministerial staff members, retired leaders in your area, or lay musicians from your congregation for immediate relief.
• Determine the type of interim that is needed and clearly define the responsibilities.
• Covenant with the interim regarding time, expectations and salary.
• Arrange for the interim to meet and coordinate with the transitional music leadership team.
• As soon as possible, call an interim music person

Elect and Train the Search Committee

• Could be an existing group, such as the Music Committee, but also could be a new committee representing all facets of the congregation.
• Main responsibilities are to keep things going and organized in the church during the interim and begin the search process.
• Regular communication--with the pastor, with the interim worship leader & with Search Team--is very important.
• Work closely with leaders of other areas of your church and your ministerial staff.

Set Your Destination

• Develop a job description for the new Music Worship Leader.
• Discuss and develop a salary/benefits package that can be offered. Be flexible in this area.

Listening Session Agenda   

• Conduct Listening Sessions with choirs, other musical groups, and the congregation. List candidate qualities by priority.
• Where have we been in our music program?
• Where are we now? Are we pleased?
• What does God’s future plan look like for the church in the music ministry?
• What is our cultural context—will we reach out beyond the walls of our church?
• What are the top-priority characteristics for a new worship leader?
• Pray together for God’s guidance!

Formulate Travel Plans

• Pray, Pray, Pray as you consider specifics
• Gather resumesAsk the congregation for recommendations.
• Contact prominent worship leaders in your area for recommendations.
• Contact seminaries, universities and others for resumes and recommendations
• Organize resumes by qualifactions
• Send a note to all who sent a resume notifying them it has received it, are praying and will be contact soon. Never leave them hanging! If they are not considered, let them know.
• Create Three Categories of resumes:
• 1. Positive  2. Possible  3. Probably Not
• Decide on the top three candidates.
• Contact each candidate by letter to let them know they are now being formerly considered. Inform those not to be considered. Thoroughly check candidates’ references. Ask candidates for video or audio recordings from their worship services or special presentations, if available.

Hit the Road

• Who will be first? Follow this map to find out:
• Consider one candidate at a time! (Very important)
• Conduct an Initial Interview. (Conference Call – with entire committee works well)
• Present Job Description to the candidate.
• Pray, Pray, Pray.
• Visit the candidate on his field.
• Conduct a Second Interview.
• Clarify any questions or discrepancies.
• Determine if you will continue with this candidate or move on to the next
• Allow candidate to meet ministerial staff.
• Invite the candidate to visit and observe worship anonymously.
• If you move to another candidate, personally advise the first candidate of your decision by phone call from the Search Team chairperson!  (This is VERY IMPORTANT. Never leave them guessing.)
• If you feel led, continue.

Long Trip--Stay on Course

• Determine the financial package for the candidate, including salary and benefits.
• Discuss the package with the candidate and allow for prayerful negotiation.   
• If agreeable, spend time in prayer, then take a vote of the Search Team on whether to call the candidate. If the vote is positive, proceed to plan for a “Call Weekend”.
• Then: notify all other candidates by letter that you have progressed to one choice.

The “Call Weekend” 

• Create events that give maximum exposure of the candidate to as many people as possible.
• Friday evening meeting with staff and church administrative leadership.
• Saturday morning Q & A with Music leadership.
• Saturday afternoon rehearsal with Choir, Praise Team, Orchestra, Bell Choir (i.e. groups which the person will lead)
• Saturday evening meal or reception,introduction by Music Search Committee and Q & A from the church, music ministry people and others.
• Sunday morning: Candidate leads worship.
• Sunday morning or evening: Vote by secret ballot.
• Notify candidate. When candidate responds, announce to church.

Hooray! Done! (Almost)

• During weeks between “Call Weekend” and arrival of new staff member: (This is a very important time--stay engaged in the process.)
• Say goodbye to the interim and express appreciation.
• Prepare the church for arrival of new leader.
• Communicate needs of new ministry family’s arrival.
• Transition Committee and Music Search Committee work hand in hand to make sure church is prepared for new leader and family’s arrival.  
• Plan a Welcome Party. Shower love on your new minister from the beginning.

Unpacking and Moving In

• First Sunday with a new Worship Leader is very important.  
• Alert Local papers and media.
• Church Banner welcome sign.
• Search Team clear calendar in order to be present.
• Meals provided for first few nights on field.
• Staff and administrative leadership paves the way so that New Minister and family are not“stressed out”.
• Model servant leadership during this important time in the life of the church.
• Keep checking in over the next six weeks to make sure their moving/transition needs are met.
• Continually Praise God for His guidance in the process.
• It’s been a great journey! Enjoy your new worship leader! He/she is God’s choice.  Affirm that fact everyday throughout their tenure.
• Lead the church to:
• Pray for him.
• Cooperate with him.
•  Take care of him.
•  Follow his leadership.
•  Love him.