Recruitment Ideas

[Moosicman]

So I'm wanting to brainstorm here. I'm not looking for GREAT ideas or to eliminate BAD ideas. In other words, ANY input is desired so if person A says XYZ, then don't critique XYZ as to why it may not be a good or bad thing. Simply toss out your ideas (because they may work for some but be horrible for others). What have we done, what are we doing, and/or what should we do to recruit new members/musicians for worship arts (mainly musician focused, but toss in other forms of art as well).

GO!

[Mike on Bass]

1. Create an open and inviting atmosphere. Be approachable.

2. Make it a real 'team' environment. Meaning, don't keep it as 'leader and the backup band'. Give everyone on the team the opportunity to flow in their talents and gifts. Many times, musicians are treated as the backing track for the leader/singers. If you want to attract and retain good musicians, let them loose to flow in their anointing one in awhile. Not that at every song has to have a 24-bar guitar solo, but change things up a bit. Change up who leads off a song, who carries the song, that kind of stuff. Same applies to singers- let someone else sing lead, you sing a harmony part. Have other people sing a verse or two. Make people feel like they are contributing something valuable.

3. Keep the drama under control. I have seen more good musicians with good attitudes leave a team or just not participate in the first place if there is a bunch of infighting and favoritism going on. Most team members are adults and need to act like it.

4. Use good gear and maintain it (includes teaching others to maintain it) Use quality stuff- if you want good drummers, don't provide a First Act drum kit. Either buy a nice one or let them use theirs. If the church owns it, keep the heads and cymbals in good condition. It doesn't have to be mint, just maintained well. Keep mics, cables, monitors, amps, etc. in good working order. Teach people how to put away stuff the right way.

I'm sure I'll have more...

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

This is a humorous thing going on in my church right now. We are a fairly traditional church that does blended music, and still has a large, good choir.

One of the teenage girls in the choir has been trying to get a 30ish young man to join the choir, because she thinks he has a good voice. She started a petition asking him to join, and so far has over 50 signatures. Don't yet know if her petition will do the trick.

I know this isn't what you are looking for, but I couldn't resist.
Tom

[travisvwright]

My Drummers out this week. Instead of asking my do-all (the guy who runs the sound board half the time and subs in on bass or drummers or acoustic as needed) I instead asked a guy I know can play drums if he'd step in for a week.

Edit To Add: Yes he'll be behind a drum shield.

[milepost13]

Don't use the word "recruit". The military "recruits"...very few people want to be involved in a militant ministry. We ask team leaders at our church to use the word "invite"...people get invited to celebrations...everyone likes a party.

Nate

[Steffie]

Word of mouth. . . most people know who in the church has any musical interest/aptitude. Maybe ask your extroverts in the church as they tend to know most people.

You can do an invite from up the front, but of course this can draw undesirable interest as well, eg. the karaoke king who can't actually sing on his own!

Oh yes, and pray. Sometimes God brings new people when you ask, I've seen it a few times!

Steffie.