How to Recruit Members for a Church Music Ministry

Recruiting members for a church music ministry requires vision, perseverance and faith.

Recruiting members for a church music ministry requires vision, perseverance and faith. You will assume most of the work, but don't attempt to recruit members alone. "This concept of shared ministry versus a "one man show" is essential. Shared ministry means sharing decisions, responsibilities, successes, failures and the opportunity to try again," says Danny Jones in "How to Help Your Church Begin and Grow a Music Ministry." As you recruit members for a church music ministry you will work with your pastor, church pianist, church secretary and members of your congregation.

Instructions

1. Talk to your church's minister and the vestry or ruling body of your church and communicate to them that you are interested in recruiting singers for the church's music ministry. Get their permission and then determine what budget the church has set aside for music ministry.

2. Obtain a list of church members from the church secretary. Decide if you want experienced singers or if you will allow any member of the church to join. Draft a letter to church members indicating that you are interested in developing a music ministry based on this decision. Have the secretary send the letters out.

3. Talk to the church members during the announcements portion of church service and remind them that you are interested in developing a church music ministry. Make the announcement four Sundays in a row. Highlight the information that you drafted in your letter. Ask the congregation to spread the word.

4. Book a meeting to be held before church service or after service. If the church music ministry budget allows, provide food and drink for the meeting. Place food and drink on a table and have meeting attendees serve themselves. Discuss your plan to develop a music ministry with the meeting attendees. Make it your goal to have at least four new recruits before your first practice session.

5. Plan a first practice session with new recruits. Choose upbeat music that will keep the congregation interested. Communicate with the church pianist to make sure he is on board.

6. Continue to attract new members by providing music that is upbeat, unique and that keeps church members interested. Understand that recruiting members for a church music ministry takes time. Incorporate prayer to help your effort if prayer is a valid part of your church atmosphere.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are providing food and drink for your church music ministry meeting, keep it simple. Suggestions include coffee, juice, finger sandwiches, fruit and cookies.

• Look into other areas to sing for your music ministry besides church. Sing at hospitals, retirement homes or choral in the neighborhood at Christmas.

• Resist the urge to be too experimental. Choose music that will appeal to a broad variety of members.

• Organize non-musical events with the singers, such as a movie night or a bowling night. Make the music ministry a fun organization that also feels like family.

References

• Texas Baptist Bivocational: Music Ministry in the Smaller Church
• Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations: How to Build a Music Ministry

Resources

• Mediatunes: Four Major Steps Toward Building an Awesome Music Ministry
• Christianity Today International: Build a Better Choir