2024

WORSHIP TEAM RESOURCES

Worship Team Dress Code & Platform Standards of Excellence

General Information:

  • The platform is the most visible place in the church. As leaders on the platform, the clothes we wear need to be considered intentionally, and with care. 1 Samuel 16:7 says “...People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Regarding this verse, most people focus on God looking at the heart, but that we really need to also consider that man does look on the outward appearance. We can convey our value for what we’re doing and the King that we’re worshipping by what we wear. This means we need to consider the level of excellence with which we dress (dressiness), and the level of modesty we’re presenting. Dress so the congregation can see Who we’re worshipping, and not us as leaders. Any time we’re representing New Life, whether we’re leading worship or teaching, in any location (Concord or Lexington), consider the general culture in that setting and aim for a little higher level of dressiness than the audience.

  • Our clothes should come across as relevant to our culture and the people we are leading. Read up on modern styles and balance them with classic pieces.

  • If you are ever unsure about an item, bring it and Pastor Trey and/or Gera Whitson can help you determine if you can wear it the next time.

  • We would like to ask you to remember that our standard for dress is based upon what our leaders have asked and what is presented in this document, not based upon what someone else is wearing. Do not adjust what you understand to be right for dress based on what other team members are wearing.

  • Keep in mind that the structure and color of all clothing needs to look good from any distance - close up, far away, and even enlarged on a screen.

  • Please do not wear pinstripes or polka dots that are small and in different colors (tone-on-tone is usually okay, such as black on black stripes). These patterns cause a moiré pattern on many screens, especially television.

  • If your shoes (including the heel or height of heel) prohibit you from worshipping freely and at your best, and at the level of leadership that’s expected to be given, do not wear these shoes (no matter how awesome they might be).

Men’s Modesty Guidelines

These apply to every service at New Life Church

  • Wear an undershirt of an appropriate color if it’s needed. These should not be seen, so wear a v-neck or round neck, depending on the shirt.

  • Make sure your shirt is buttoned at an appropriate place. No chest hair should be seen.

  • Make sure your shirt isn’t too tight and is appropriate in length if it’s made to be worn un-tucked. It shouldn’t show your stomach or undergarments if you raise your hands.

  • Pants should never cling or cup to any body part (on your front, side, or back). This style can be worn appropriately by going up a size or two, so that they’re not clinging. Don’t wear them if they’re still clinging to any particular body part.

  • Dress at a minimum “business casual” when serving. Please keep your appearance neat, clean, and wrinkle free. Please do not wear shorts at anytime when you serve on platform.

  • Hair should be in a natural, well-kept, non-distracting color and style. Sorry, no purple mo-hawks.

  • Keep jewelry, including earring, necklaces, and rings simple, non-distracting, and minimal. Make sure that with movement, the pieces don’t cause unnecessary noise or distracting movement.

  • Before you finalize your outfit, make sure you can jump, bow, clap, kneel, walk, dance, lean forward, and move (in every service). Your level of expression cannot be determined and/or inhibited by your clothing. If any part of your outfit prevents any of the above- listed forms of expression, it’s not an option for any service at New Life.

Women’s Modesty Guidelines

These apply to every service at New Life Church.

  • Ensure that nothing is revealed when you lean forward. Show no cleavage. Please be very conscientious about this. Test: Your neckline should be no more than the span of 4-fingers width from your collarbone.

  • Bras should be inconspicuous and serve you well. Make sure that it cannot be seen under any circumstances. Be sure that the thickness of your bra protects for all room temperatures. Remember, whites can be revealing under lights. If there is any movement in the chest area, cover yourself with a jacket that will hide the movement or change your shirt. Exercise bras and some supportive tank tops also help in this area.

  • Be careful not to buy shirts and/or jackets that bring focus to the chest. Shirts that are tight and/or cup tightly around the chest are not allowed. If wearing a shirt without a jacket, be sure that it is cut in a modest way. Backless, lace-backed or low-cut (in the back) shirts need to have another blouse underneath to cover. Wear an undershirt of an appropriate color if it’s needed.

• All dresses and skirts must me at least knee length. Tight clothing that clings to the leg must have a long top, long dress, or long skirt that covers all sides with arms fully raised about the head. With your arms fully raised, do not allow the exact outline and curve of the top of your thigh (going into your rear) to be visible. Also, the tops covering these kinds of skirts may not be clingy or form-fitting to the body (it’s kind of defeating the purpose).

  1. Regarding see-through and sheer clothing (blouses, jackets, dresses, and skirts, etc), the clothing underneath must be loose and cannot be tight or form fitting (top and bottom). You may not think this is a problem with your outfit when you get dressed at home. Consider what an outfit will look like when bright platform lights are shining on it.

  2. Leggings, or anything that look and fit like leggings, including heavy cotton or a mixed cotton pant with zippers and/or pocket, must have a dress, or skirt that covers front, side and back and comes down to your knee or lower when your hands are fully extended above your head.

  3. No skin around the midriff. Test: Raise your arms straight up. You should have several inches of shirt past your skirt. If ever in doubt, wear a longer top underneath to make sure that when you jump, there isn’t a lot of movement. If worn without tights or leggings, skirts and dresses should come to the mid-knee or lower.

  4. Keep jewelry, including earring, necklaces, and rings simple, non-distracting, and minimal. Make sure that with movement, the pieces don’t cause unnecessary noise or awkward movement.

  5. Before you finalize your outfit, make sure you can jump, bow, clap, kneel, walk, dance, lean forward, and move (in every service). Your level of expression cannot be determined and/or inhibited by your clothing. If any part of your outfit prevents any of the above-listed forms of expression, it’s not an option for any service at New Life.

Questions

Pose these questions to yourself before selecting a final outfit.

  • Am I wearing something a leader would need to address me about?

  • Am I wearing something that would make it difficult for anyone to see past my outward appearance?

PREPARATION AND REHEARSALS

Preparation

  • Come prepared spiritually. Come in-tune with God. Ask Him what His heart is so when we come together we can move unified as a team. Take time to seek Him before you come.

  • You’ll find the song lists posted on the calendar generally a few days in advance. Please listen and know the song confidently. We do not provide hard copies of music at the service.

  • Strive to play/sing all songs exactly as posted and commit to memory all music so that you will not be dependent on charts during service times.

Rehearsals

  • Be ready to rehearse and in position before all scheduled rehearsal and service times (call times will be on Planning Center – please be prepared and in place before call time).

  • Be prepared to make any changes to the arrangements and production of all songs on the song list and be willing to work with all music/vocal directors while exhibiting a helpful and positive attitude.

  • Rehearsal time before service is a band and vocal run-through, not a time to learn the music for the first time. Remember New Life Worship’s standard is excellence, and there is an expectation to execute all musical elements. Prepare beforehand so our sound check and rehearsal times are a success. You ‘practice’ on your own and ‘rehearse’ with the band.

PLATFORM PRESENCE

Platform Presence and Body Language

  • Body language is a huge form of communication. We all know what it is like to say one thing while our body is actually saying another. When you are on the platform, your presence is as important as your musicianship. Your platform presence is simply an outward expression of what is happening inside your heart. Determine to communicate your heart as effectively as you can through your body. Be engaged and present when you are playing/singing. A good rule is to keep your hands above your waist to ensure energy!

  • At times a leader may come to you and ask you to adjust something with your platform presence. For instance, you may be asked to open your eyes more in the worship services or move around your area a bit more. When you are asked to modify something, please do so cheerfully. Your leaders really care about you and want you to look your best.

Tips for Better Platform Presence

  • Look in the mirror and watch what you look like – jump, clap, bow, dance, raise your hands, be engaging. If something appears awkward, adjust it to make sure you are communicating what you want to communicate.

  • Do not let the congregation determine your level of expression. Sometimes they will not be engaged in worship. As leaders, we always need to be engaged. Show them an example of how to express worship. Most of the time, they simply need to see worship in order to learn how to express it on their own.

  • Be sincere. Worship from your heart. Give a warm smile from within. We are leading people from all different circumstances, so remember that a warm smile ministers more than you realize.

  • Vocalists - When you are singing, have the microphone to your face but don’t block it. When there is a long period of time in which you’re not singing into your microphone, move it away from your face but still continue to sing and worship. Stay engaged at all times.

  • Musicians - Be sure to stay engaged in worship. Practice ahead of time so you don’t have to focus on your instrument the whole time. Sing while you play. Seeing a musician singing/playing from their heart can really lead people well.

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Ministry team placement may be revoked if the actions of a team member are deemed detrimental to the ministry of New Life Worship and/or New Life Church. Such discipline will be carried out by our Worship Pastor with consent and agreement of our Senior Pastor. Disciplinary actions will be done in a loving, constructive manner that encourages reconciliation, restoration and healing.

EXITING THE TEAM

If at any point you feel a leading away from New Life Worship, arrange a meeting with your Worship Pastor, Pastor Trey Whitson. If the agreed team separation is long-term (longer than 90 days), please prepare a resignation letter to submit to Pastor Trey Whitson as well.

IMPORTANT LINKS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Worship Calendar: http://www.planningcenteronline.com (Please download the app if you have a smart phone)

Pastor Trey Whitson: 704-426-7726 | treywhitson@yahoo.com

Gera Whitson: 586-413-2013 | gera.whitson@gmail.com

Church Office: 704.793.9055

Church Admin: cyates@nlcjc.org

Pastor Lawson Whitson’s email: pastor@nlcjc.org

Worship Team Values, Lifestyle, and Communication Agreement

Dear Valued NLCJC Team Member,

We are so grateful that you have a heart to serve here at New Life Church of Jesus Christ. Our mission and purpose is to reach, connect, and hold! We look forward to seeing where God takes us and how we can better serve His people.  To get to that next level, we must be unified, have clear communication, and hold each other to a standard of excellence. We take the ministry very seriously and we ask that as a team member, you do as well. As a team member, you represent Christ and New Life Church. To avoid any ambiguity or confusion, we have policies and protocols that are now in effect.

Communication:

  • All team members must download the “Planning Center” application to their smart phone. If you do not own a smart phone, please check your e-mail regularly. Planning Center is our method of scheduling services, rehearsals, meetings, conferences, and events. There are options to “confirm”, “decline”, and “block out.” Block outs are used for planned events or vacations where you know you will not be available to serve. If you confirm for a service, and for some reason, can not be there please contact Pastor Trey and/or Gera Whitson as soon as possible so they can seek another available team member for you. Please do not make arrangements with another team member without communicating with Trey and/or Gera Whitson.

  • All team members must be faithful in attending rehearsals. This ensures that all members are prepared to sing all songs we teach. This promotes versatility and flexibility in the scheduling. The same Planning Center “Confirm, Decline, Blockout” communication policy applies to rehearsals. Please communicate with Pastor Trey and/or Gera Whitson if you confirm and then are not able to make it.

  • Team Meetings: From now on, we will have team meetings scheduled with Pastor Lawson Whitson on a regular basis. They will be scheduled through Planning Center. We ask that you are faithful to attend these meetings as we want all team members to be unified on our church mission and vision.

  • One-on-One Meetings: We value your spiritual growth and development. We recommend meeting with Pastor Lawson Whitson or Pastor Trey Whitson to check-in from time to time for Pastoral care. This is a time for you to have personal counseling, discuss your victories, struggles, prayer life, questions, values, and personal growth. Contact the New Life Church admin, Christy Yates, to schedule a meeting as needed.

  • If a team member has questions, concerns, or is disgruntled about another team member or leader, he or she is to communicate that concern through the appropriate channels. This is your department head and Pastor Lawson. In the case of the Worship Team, this would be Pastor Trey and Pastor Lawson. This reflects maturity. Team member are not to engage in gossip, murmuring, and/or slander of any church member, team member, or leader. We do not tolerate bitterness, hatefulness, jealousy, tearing down of others, manipulation, corruption, an uncooperative attitude, divisiveness, resentfulness, or deception of any kind.

Lifestyle Agreement:

Our aim is to lead and encourage others to live a life for Christ, publicly and privately. As team members, are do not encourage, ignore, or promotion sin.  Sin separates us from God plan and purpose for our lives. The following activities go against the biblical values held at New Life Church of Jesus Christ:

  • Team members are not to participate, privately or publicly, in any non-prescribed and/or illegal substance activity.

  • Team members are not to participate in or the appearance of, privately or publicly, sexual relationships outside the confines of marriage. Team members are not to engage in pornography. Team members are not to engage in adultery.

  • Team members are not to curse or use foul language. Please do not engage in gossip or rumors. Please use dignity when you speak and edify others.

  • Team members are not to incite division among church and/or team members. Once again, if you have any discontentment or concerns about a team member or leader, it shows responsibility and maturity to go through the appropriate channels of communication —- the department leader and Pastor Lawson Whitson.

  • Team members are to be honest and trustworthy. Do not engage in deceit, misrepresentation, or withholding the truth.

  • Team members are not to engage in or the suggestion of criminal activity, publicly or privately.

  • Team members are not to participate in or the appearance of homosexual relationships.

  • Team members are not to participate in or the appearance of an inappropriate relationship with a minor.

  • Team members are to support other departments and ministries when possible. Example: If you are married, please attend and support the marriage workshops.

  • Team members are to dress appropriately, with modesty and dignity. Please follow the platform dress code when you are scheduled to serve. If you have any questions about dress code for men or women, please communicate with Pastor Trey and Gera Whitson.

Social Media:

Social media is how we all choose to represent ourselves online. As a team member, you are representing God, Christianity, and New Life Church. Please follow these social media guidelines.

  • Team members are not to post participation, celebration, promotion, and/or suggestion of the following: drugs, alcohol, pornographic content, crude humor, nudity, sexual suggestive content (dancing, photos/videos, text,), suggestions or evidence of sexual relationships outside of marriage, homosexuality, gossip, defamation, slander, blasphemy, vulgarity, hateful or violent content, witchcraft, astrology, etc. If you have any additional questions about the stance of New Life, please communicate with Pastor Lawson.

  • Team members are not to solicit other team members and church members to any business, non-profit, organization, or ministry not affiliated with New Life Church. Self-promotion, marketing, sales pressure, or monetization is not appropriate, nor tolerated. This applies within the physical building, along with church affiliated social media pages and groups (facebook, instagram, etc.)

Prayer Life & Spiritual Development:

Prayer Life, Fasting, Bible Reading, Tithing, and Church Attendance:

  • Team members are to have an active prayer life. It is impossible to do what God is calling us to do without making time alone with God a priority.

  • Team members are to value and practice the biblical principle of fasting. If you do not understand the purpose of fasting, please communicate with Pastor Lawson Whitson. There is a two part lesson on the church’s YouTube channel as a resource.

  • Team members are to be actively reading and increasing their knowledge of God’s Word.

  • Tithing: Giving is a biblical principle upheld by New Life Church. We practice what we preach. We ask all team members to be faithful in their tithes. Tithing is scriptural and reflects the true heart and discipline of the believer.

  • Church Attendance: Team members are to be faithful to church attendance as much as possible. If you are not on schedule for that service, your presence still matters for your spiritual health and for the encouragement of others.

Agreement:

We take the ministry very seriously. Breach of any of these policies or protocols makes a team member subject to removal from the team temporarily or permanently.

If you have any questions, please communicate with Pastor Lawson and Pastor Trey Whitson.