__largepreview__.webp)
Worship Handbook
Everything you need to know as part of the Worship Team
Team Vision
We are more than a music team. We’re a community that leads people into the presence of God.
The Importance of Worship
At Bright City, worship is more than music. It’s about cultivating worship gatherings that host the presence of God, form Christlike worshipers in community, and equip them to carry God’s light beyond the walls of the church.
We believe the Church burns brightest when we are together, unified in spirit, lifting one voice in awe of God's presence. But our worship doesn’t end at the last song. Just as God has always scattered His people to bring light to dark places, we are sent out to reflect His glory in our everyday lives.
Our Mission Field
Bright City is called to reach young families, who may feel skeptical toward church. Many who walk through our doors carry doubts or wounds from past church experiences.
That’s why we intentionally shape our worship services to be thoughtful, welcoming, and grounded in the gospel, designed to meet people where they are. While we desire all people to worship God, we are especially focused on creating a space where skeptical seekers and spiritually hungry families can encounter Jesus with clarity, authenticity, and hope.
Worship Values
Values shape not just what we sing or say, but who we become.
Formational Worship
At Bright City, our worship isn’t random or routine. It’s shaped by intentional values that help us host God’s presence, form Christlike worshipers, and equip our church to carry His light into the world both in our gatherings and beyond.
Our values
✝️ Christ-Exalting
Our purpose in worship is to glorify Jesus. Every element of Bright City’s worship service is meant to lift up Christ and unite us as the body of believers.
📖 Theologically Accurate & Informative
We value a worship experience rooted in sound theology and Scripture. Our goal is to lead people in worship that is not only beautiful but biblically rich, helping our church grow in understanding and truth.
🤝 Hospitable
We are intentional about creating a space where everyone feels welcome—whether you’ve followed Jesus for decades or are just exploring faith.
🎉 Authentically Joyful
Joy isn’t surface-level hype. It’s a response to the hope we have in Jesus. We draw from Paul’s message in Philippians, choosing joy even when life is hard, celebrating honestly, not performatively.
🔥 Spirit-Led
We believe the Holy Spirit leads our worship both in preparation and in the moment. We plan with purpose and hold plans with open hands, ready to respond to the Spirit’s prompting.
General Expectations
Worship teams are more than musicians. They’re spiritual leaders.
Required Commitments
Before joining the team, all members are expected to:
- Read and sign Bright City’s: ✝️ Statement of Faith🙌 Serve Team Expectations
- Commit to additional expectations by reading and signing: 🔥 Spiritual Leadership Commitment
What It Means to Lead Spiritually
Being on stage means more than playing an instrument or singing a part. It means modeling what it looks like to follow Jesus with authenticity and integrity. As a worship team member, you are expected to read through the above commitments and pursue growth in these areas to the best of your abilities.
Accountability & Grace
We all stumble, and we all grow at different paces. However:
- If someone consistently neglects the above expectations, we will initiate a loving conversation.
- Depending on the severity or pattern, a member may be asked to step down temporarily or permanently.
Serving with Excellence
Each team member plays a key role in helping lead our people into the presence of God with confidence and humility. Being on the Worship Team means more than playing an instrument or singing. It means showing up with a spirit of excellence, humility, and readiness to serve.
We expect Worship Team members to:
- Arrive on time and be prepared for soundcheck, rehearsal, and services.
- Stay focused and attentive throughout the entire morning
- Be proactive in problem-solving and willing to ask for help when needed
- Work as a team, offering support to others as needed
- Maintain a calm and helpful attitude, even when things don’t go as planned
- See your role as spiritual, not just musical—what you do helps our people worship
Joining the Team
We all have different voices, but we share one heart.
Band Rotations
When you join Bright City’s worship team, you’ll be placed into one of four rotation bands:
- 🔴 Red Team
- 🔵 Blue Team
- 🟢 Green Team
- 🟠 Orange Team
Team Culture & Excellence
We strive to avoid a mindset where one team is seen as “better” than another. All four bands are vital to our mission, and each has its own style and strengths.
However, teams may grow stronger through consistency, chemistry, and practice over time, and that’s a good thing! Wherever you're placed, we ask you to commit to growing in your musicianship, team unity, and spiritual leadership
Team Leaders
Each team has built-in support and leadership:
🙌 Worship Leader
Provides overall leadership for the worship set, helping guide the spiritual and emotional flow of the service.
🎤 Vocal Director
Leads frontline rehearsal and helps shape blend, harmonies, and vocal transitions
🎸 Music Director
Guides the backline through arrangements, instrumental dynamics, and musical transitions
🎧 Service Music Director (MD)
Uses the talkback mic during the service to call cues, manage transitions, and maintain on-stage unity and energy.
All leaders serve with you and for you—helping the whole team thrive, stay on track, and support one another.Committing To A Team
Joining a band means you are committing to cover your scheduled Sundays. That includes:
- ✅ Showing up when your band is scheduled
- 🔄 Trading with a member of a different team if a conflict arises
- 📩 Finding a sub if trading is not possible
You don’t have to be available every Sunday, but we do ask you to honor the ones you’re assigned.
Scheduling and Breaks
Worship requires a rhythm of consistency, accountability, and shared leadership.
Scheduling Timeline
We release six-month schedules ahead of time so you can plan well. When you receive the schedule:
- Check for conflicts.
- Reach out to trade dates with someone or request coverage if needed.
- If you have issues finding coverage, talk with your Worship Leader.
Planning Center Online
We use Planning Center Online: Services to schedule Worship Team members, organize service plans, and communicate important details. It’s essential that everyone uses Planning Center consistently and responsibly.
Note: We recommend everyone downloads PCO: Services on their mobile devices.
Confirming or Declining Requests
When the schedule is released, you’ll receive a Planning Center email or app notification. You are expected to confirm or decline your request as soon as possible. Delays in confirming affect the whole team’s preparation.
Note: If you decline, please include a short note if possible (e.g., out of town, sick, etc.) and refer to the policy about trading or finding a sub.
Blockout Dates
When you join a team, you are committing to pre-determined dates based on your team’s schedule. This means that blockout dates will not be considered when sending out requests for teams.
Note: Blockout dates may still be important for other serve teams at Bright City.
Finding a Replacement
If you can’t make your scheduled Sunday, follow these steps for finding a replacement:
- First, try to trade with someone from another team by reaching out to them and asking
- If trading is not optional, find a sub from another team to cover your date entirely
- Once confirmed, notify your Worship Leader Include the name of the person covering for you and the date(s) being traded / covered. A worship leader will follow up to confirm with you both.
Note: If trading and finding a sub is not possible, notify your Worship Leader.
Sub Requests
Try to limit sub requests—as opposed to trade requests—to only when necessary. If you need frequent swaps, talk with your Worship Leader. We’re happy to work with your schedule.
What To Do When You’re Sick
Let your leader know immediately if you’re sick or have an emergency. If it is possible, still find a sub or trade, but we understand that life happens. Just don’t wait and then ghost.
Taking a Break from the Worship Team
You’re welcome to take a break of up to three months without needing to reapply or re-audition.
When requesting a break:
- Talk with a Worship Leader or Team Lead as early as possible
- Let us know how long you anticipate being off the schedule
- Stay in the loop during your time away so you're ready to re-engage when the time comes
Long-term Absences
We ask that personal breaks be limited to three months so we can care well for the whole team and maintain consistency in our ministry. If you need to step away for longer than that, you’re still welcome to do so—we understand that life happens—but it will be considered stepping off the team rather than an extended break.
Note: Long-term absences create space that others may grow into during the absence. For that reason, we can’t guarantee your original position will still be available when you're ready to return.
Thursday Night
Rehearsal isn’t just about getting the notes right.
It’s about learning to lead together.
Time & Schedule
⛪ Location: Bright City Offices → 6216 Fayetteville Rd. Ste. 106 Durham, NC 27713
⏰ Start: 7:00 PM
🏁 End: 9:00 PM
➡️ Please arrive early to be fully set up and ready to go at 7:00.
Rehearsal Flow
We break our rehearsal into two key segments:
Part 1: Breakout Sessions (approx. 1 hour)
- Frontline (Vocalists): Harmonies, blend, and transitions led by our Vocal Director
- Backline (Instrumentalists): Arrangements and cues led by our Music Director
Part 2: Devo Time
- Everyone meets in the conference space for a time of devotion
Part 3: Full Run-Through
- This is our opportunity to worship together and tighten transitions, dynamics, and flow
What to prepare
Preparation is a way we serve one another. Come ready to lead with confidence! Songs are posted in Planning Center two Tuesdays before rehearsal.
Each song includes:
- 🎤 Lyrics for the song
- 🎼 Chord charts in the relative key
- 🎥 YouTube video for arrangement reference
- 🎹 Key Signature ( ⚠️ may differ from the posted recording )
Rehearsal Attendance Policy
To honor everyone’s time and keep things fair for the whole team, rehearsal is required for serving on Sunday. Consistent attendance is important.
❌ If you are unable to attend Thursday Rehearsal, you will be asked to step down from leading that Sunday.
Note: This ensures alignment across the team musically, relationally, and spirituallySunday Morning
Where preparation meets unity—musically and spiritually.
Time & Location
⛪ Location: AMC Southpoint Theaters → 8030 Renaissance Pkwy, Durham, NC 27713
⏰ Call Time (8:00 AM): Some musicians (e.g. drummers, keys) may need to arrive earlier to allow extra time for gear setup.
Morning Schedule
🔊 Soundcheck Begins: 8:20 AM
All worship stations should be fully setup and ready to go
🎶 Band Run-Through: 8:40 AM
Full musical rehearsal with the production team Use this time to identify and fix any last-minute issues before the service
🗣️ Service Run-Through: 9:50 AM
Brief team meeting with the Service Speaker(s) to walk through the service flow Final time to ask questions or make small adjustments before attendees arrive
🙌 Sunday Services: 10:00 AM
Worship teams engages and lead congregation throughout services After the final service, teardown begins promptly—every role helps reset the space
Worship Stations
Your worship station includes everything you need to lead with clarity and excellence. Each setup is unique, but includes:
- 🎧 P16 Monitor System (for hearing)
- 🎤 Mic / 🎸 Instrument / 🥁 Drum Setup / 🎚 Pedalboard
- Other equipment or special accommodations if needed
Note: Headphones are available, but in-ear monitors (IEMs) are preferred. Please bring your own if you have them.
Note: Let the Production Team know if you need anything specific.
You are responsible for setting up and tearing down your own station. You may leave after your worship station is cleaned up and properly stored following the last service.
Expectations on Attending Services
The Worship Band is expected to serve during all Sunday services. To ensure we are still participating in the other worship elements alongside the congregation, each team member is encouraged to fully engage in at least one service.
Communion as a Team
We are not only leading but also receiving. During one of the services, the band will take communion together as a way to worship and reflect alongside one another with the congregation.
Attending Services Outside of Serving
As members of the worship team, we are not only leaders but also part of the Bright City community. We ask every team member to regularly attend services when they are not scheduled to serve to ensure we are participating in the larger life of the church.
❌ If a pattern of non-attendance develops, you will be asked to step down from serving on the Worship Team.
Dress Code
We want to remove distractions and represent Bright City well on stage.
✅ Please wear:
Clean, modest clothing that allows for freedom of movement Styles that reflect our culture: casual but intentional
🚫 Avoid
Distracting patterns or graphics Inappropriate slogans or overly worn clothing Short shorts, low-cut tops, or anything that draws attention to yourself
Tip: If you’re unsure about something, lean toward simplicity and modesty.
Timeliness Policy
We value grace and responsibility when it comes to timeliness.
- Being late is okay as long as you’re ready by 8:20 AM for soundcheck.
- ⏰ Repeated lateness may result in you being asked to step down from leading in future rotations.
Tip: It is better to arrive earlier than late.
Stage Presence
We aren’t performers. We’re worshipers who lead by example.
It's more than Stage Presence
Stage presence is about more than appearance on stage. It is how you lead others into worship through your posture, focus, and engagement. Our goal is to be present, authentic, and aware as we help cultivate an environment where others can encounter God.
💡 General Tips:
Be engaged: Whether you are leading or not, stay present. Listen attentively when others are speaking, and honor the moment by giving your full attention. Respond to what God is doing: Smile, raise your hands, worship. Stay aware: Maintain eye contact with the congregation and other team members when appropriate. Move with purpose: Avoid unnecessary fidgeting or checking your gear unless necessary.
🚫 Avoid
Staring at the ground or music stand Texting or checking your phone Overly exaggerated expressions or distracting movement
Backline Mic Etiquette
Members of the backline will have access to talkback mics for in-ear communication during Sunday services. To maintain a focused worship environment, we ask that only the designated Service MD speak through the talkback during service.
🤷♂️ Exceptions: If you have an urgent question or issue (e.g., broken equipment, missing cues), it’s okay to briefly speak up. Just keep it quick and clear.
Additional Resources
Helpful tools, references, and documents to support your growth and service.
General Resources
Worship Team Resources
How To Use The Personal In-Ear Mixers (P16)
How To Think About Stage Presence
Frontline Resources
Backline Resources
Audition Process (Instrumentalists)