May 1, 2009 – Colonial Heights United Methodist Church – 423-239-6031

www.chumckpt.org

F RO NT P O RC H
N e w s l e t t e r
June 7–(Holy June 14–Tom June 21–Father’s Day June 28–Tom Special Front
Communion) Angela VBS & Holston Conf. John’s Island Team in charge Porch Worship
John’s Island begins of both services May 10 & June 7
Mission Trip begins 5:30 PM Reception for – Mike Shelton
Angela
May 24
Scripture: Scripture: Scripture: Scripture: – Conti McMillin
June 21
Plank: Plank: Plank: Plank: – Clay Holt

The Front Porch has changed since the time of one guitar and a few singers. Now we have a full band and at least
6 or more singers each week, over 90 on average attendance at each worship and a greater diversity in age in attendance. Because of these
factors, rehearsals must also change from an “everybody decides about everything” approach to a single person making decisions in order to
provide clarity, efficiency and professionalism to the music used within worship. The Front Porch Planning Team offers suggestions from the
congregation and participants in leading worship and receive direction from the pastor(s) and musical leadership of the church. In all decisions,
our pastor(s) handle(s) the shape and elements of our worship to God. As a congregation grows, leadership moves from a family planning model
to a large group model in order to handle the diversity and expected professionalism in leadership and spirituality.
For Leaders:
Preamble
• Bathe your preparations in prayer, Bible study and consultation with the pastor(s) and musical leadership of the church. The leader must
model spirituality that informs our faith and worship.
• Rehearsal is what separates the great from the good. Our function is preparing a group to execute with confidence and precision.
• Leading a rehearsal is much different from participating in one. You don’t automatically know how to rehearse a group because you’ve
participated in several rehearsals!
Proper atmosphere of a rehearsal
• Work hard, have fun, focus on the God we worship.
• You have to know what you want before rehearsal and aim at that target with flexibility.
• Move fast. People’s time is the most important thing they have. Respect that time with preparation. Talk less, music more.
Knowing what you want before you begin
• Ability to interpret the composers vision.
• Ability to create your vision
• Ability to see beyond the composer’s musicality, interpret the music that is implied on the page and not just what is on the page. Some
people are afraid to break the rules or add anything to what is not specified in the score. The final decision of your vision for the music
is yours. If someone has another interpretation, suggest that they lead another worship setting in the future.
Value of repetition
• Many people “stop” when their musicians finally play it right (get the right notes, right interpretation, etc.) When you stop after they get it
right, you are taking a huge chance with percentages—they’ve only done it “right” one time, The main function of rehearsing, other than
learning notes and musical interpretation, is instilling good musical habits which requires repetition. We always fall back on our habits.
For Musicians:
• The leader of the music has final say-so over musical decisions. If everyone offers their opinion the result is mass confusion and wasted
rehearsal time.
• If a musician has a question about tempo, rhythm, or any musical question, do not stop rehearsal and try to fix the problem. At an
opportune time, ask the leader about the question, but know that the leader will have final say-so. There is no democracy in a rehearsal
or the rehearsal becomes inefficient, argumentative and can affect the unity of the group.
• If you are having a problem with pitches or other musical problems, address the questions to the leader. Asking another singer their
opinion or asking the instrumentalists to play a part disrupts rehearsal. Funnel everything through the leader.
• Give 100% at rehearsals. Refuse to begin talking whenever a dead spot appears in the rehearsal. Remain focused on the task at hand.
Give your best, and you will get the best.
• Never set on one way to perform a piece of music. Just because a group on a CD has performed a piece of music in a certain way does
not mean that it is sacrosanct. Musical performance and leadership depends on the musicians involved, the space in which the music is
being used, the congregation that is present and how the music piece fits within worship.
• Just because a particular group or a particular experience dictates how one may remember that a piece of music was performed does not
mean that that particular style is better than another. Please allow the leader to have final decisions. Suggestions may be offered in
private to the leader, but leave the decision to that person.

Remember: our musical leadership is to lead the congregation in participating in worship. Someone must make decisions and that someone is
the musical leader. The leader has taken the time to select the music, prepare the interpretation, secure help in preparation and has a grasp of
the overall purpose of the music being used. This allows everyone to enjoy and worship God by giving our best and leading others in worship.

Front Porch • 631 Lebanon Road • Kingsport, Tn 37663 • 423/239-6031

 May 1, 2009 – Colonial Heights United Methodist Church – 423-239-6031
www.chumckpt.org

Proposed May Worship Leadership

Please plan to attend the Wednesday rehearsal prior to the Sunday in which you will be providing leadership. (Greeters, Liturgical Artists and
Set-up Coordinators need not attend the Wednesday rehearsals.)

5/3–Musicians 5/10–Musicians 5/17-Musicians 5/24–Musicians

Bill Gill Michael Shelton in Lynn Hiester Conti McMillin in
Leslie Hall charge Jon Lawniczak charge
Mary Jackson Conti McMillin
Jon Lawniczak Brent Miller
John Seeger John Seeger
Melissa Shelton Patty Seeger
Mike Shelton Melissa Shelton
Ellen Turpening Mike Shelton
Sheila Winchell

Audio Audio Audio Audio

Don Abernathy Clay Holt Tim Pinto Sam Hiester

Video/Lights Video/Lights Video/Lights Video/Lights

Sam Hiester ? Clay Holt ?

Computer Computer Computer Computer

Holly Griffith Brent Miller Holly Griffith Clay Holt

Greeters Greeters Greeters Greeters

Judy Purner Judy Purner Judy Puner Judy Purner

Liturgical Artist Liturgical Artist Liturgical Artist Liturgical Artist

Linda Jones Melissa Shelton Judy Purner Judy Purner

Set-up Set-up Set-up Set-up

Brian Winchell Cham McMillin Chas Seeger ?

Minister Minister Minister Minister

Tom Tom Tom Tom
Judges 6-8 (select vrs.) John 15:1-8; 17:6 Romans 5:1-11; 2 John 14 & 15 (select
God and the 300 Establish the Vine Corinthians 5:18 vrs.)
To Spread Scriptural Come Holy Spirit
Holiness

5/31 - Pentecost Sunday/Memorial Day Weekend 5th Sunday–any and all musicians; Audio: Powell Kidd;
Computer: Andy Hiester; Minister: Angela

Please check the above listing. If you cannot attend on the Sunday for which you have been scheduled, please contact Jim
immediately, and we will look for a swap-out with someone else. Thanks.

Front Porch • 631 Lebanon Road • Kingsport, Tn 37663 • 423/239-6031