I guess I didn't really understand the scope of responsibilities in some worship teams, as those leading other believers , versus people leading musical worship but not necessarily individuals in their belief.
In one that I went to it was just mostly members, but not all, and as I saw it, the players served more as a guide or conductor to the worship through music that the congregation as a whole partakes in.
Thanks for sharing; it's always nice to learn something.
A lot comes down to the degree of “doctrinal purity” a given denomination expects. And how a lower degree of commitment is viewed.
In the larger, older, more established Christian denominations (e.g. Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, etc.) where the membership is largely baptized in shortly after birth, it’s more acceptable not to be overly concerned about issues of faith in your daily life. Follow the rules, regularly attend services, support the church, and be a good person is about all that’s expected. The feeling there is that if you attend church and lead a good life, you’ll come around eventually, surrender your pride, and find faith since the divine works in mysterious ways that are all a part of a far greater plan. One that even nonbelievers are an integral part of since nothing that existed, exists, or ever will exist can be outside that plan.
In the smaller more charismatic and/or evangelical denominations and churches, it’s very different. Many people in those congregations consciously made a decision to join a church as adults. Often in the face of a serious personal crisis. And for those congregations, faith is highly personal everyday every single minute kind of thing. Not just something to think about every so often. And in groups that view everything they themselves do through a spiritual lens, those who who are less committed to actively living that belief are viewed as either needing salvation - or someone to be avoided. So those churches are usually very welcoming to outsiders who want to make a commitment to join their congregation. But they’re not always as comfortable with allowing uncommitted people to remain that way in their midst. It’s worship. It’s absolutely not just a gig or a hang. Join up and join in - or seek your salvation elsewhere.
FWIW, the church I grew up in (Roman Catholic) isn’t particularly concerned about who is involved with music where I am. Needless to say, parishioners are usually preferred if membership space is limited. But a simple desire to participate is seldom discouraged as long as you’re willing to follow the guidelines and the congregation’s music director who is most often the organist and choir director as well. The only problem there is that it’ll be almost entirely vocal music you’ll be performing. The RCC isn’t too big on using instruments most places.
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