I have a good friend, a seasoned and well-respected worship pastor, who recently joined the staff at a fast-growing church. One of his primary goals has been to help an already talented worship team of volunteers develop into a cohesive and disciplined group, raising the level of excellence in their worship services. Our recent discussion about his team’s challenges and successes got me thinking about what kind of culture helps raise the bar for a worship team—especially in terms of preparedness, and specifically, the role of rehearsal time.
The big question for today is whether a worship team should have a mid-week rehearsal or rely solely on Sunday morning preparation. I have a lot of experience working in both environments, as do many of my friends who do what we do. If you’ve read much of my content, you know that on many of the controversial topics we discuss (Tracks in Worship, Auto-tune in Worship, etc.), I try to provide real-life experiences on both sides of the issue for you to think about and ultimately decide for yourself what works best for your church. So as usual, there are no hard and fast rules. But based on what I’ve experienced over the years and my recent poll results, there are some reliable indicators of where the mid-week rehearsal standard vs. the Sunday-only standard falls.
For the purposes of this discussion and the poll description:
- Mid-week rehearsal: This consists of a rehearsal on any day other than Sunday morning and assumes there will also be additional run-throughs prior to the service.
- Sunday-only preparation: This model skips any rehearsals during the week, with the expectation that team members come fully prepared for a Sunday morning run-through and service.
- We let the Spirit guide us: In this approach, there is no rehearsal other than Sunday morning, with little to no advance preparation.
- We want to implement mid-week: This describes churches that want to add a mid-week rehearsal but haven’t been able to yet.
- Other: This category includes quarterly rehearsals, ad-hoc sessions, or rehearsals for special events only.
Here’s how the 2,000+ respondents weighed in:
- Mid-week rehearsal: 58%
- Sunday-only preparation: 37%
- We let the Spirit guide us: 1%
- We want to implement mid-week: 2%
- Other: 2%
- Rehearsals? We don’t need no stinkin’ rehearsals!: .001%
The results weren’t surprising, but the comments were revealing. Many respondents mentioned that they had tried mid-week rehearsals but abandoned them because they didn’t see results. Some leaders described a lack of preparedness among their team, and in some cases, the “extra” rehearsal time seemed to foster a lackadaisical attitude. To me, that’s not a scheduling problem—it’s a leadership problem.
In my earlier years, I worked with a church that operated entirely on Sunday mornings. The worship pastor ran a tight ship, with an unspoken rule: be prepared, or else. The implied threat of scheduling mid-week rehearsals loomed like an irritated dad, ready to “turn this car around.” But deep down, he didn’t want to do it—and, in this case, he didn’t need to. This church had a small but incredibly talented pool of musicians who took personal responsibility for their parts. Their musicianship was some of the best I’ve ever worked with, proving that a solid foundation of preparation can make Sunday-only workflows incredibly effective.
A worship leader friend of mine likes to say, “It’s not a RELEARNAL, it’s a REHEARSAL.” Whether you do mid-week or Sunday-only, the expectation should always be that team members show up prepared. As with most things in life, when you front-load the hard work, the rest becomes much easier—and more productive.
Regardless of your rehearsal schedule, there’s an inherent ceiling on your worship team’s potential. Maybe the word “performance” feels too showy, so let’s call it their execution of the mission. Whether it’s playing the right notes, singing the right lyrics, or nailing transitions between songs, the more time invested in preparation—both on and off the platform—the better the worship experience will be for everyone. With all the tools at our disposal these days, like Planning Center Online and MultiTracks.com (to name just a couple), there’s almost no excuse for an organized leader not to provide everything the team needs to come fully prepared.
Looking back, I know that even the highly talented Sunday-only team I worked with could have been better with more time invested. I sincerely believe that, with solid leadership and discipline, the mid-week model works best for many churches. That said, it’s not appropriate for all churches. For smaller churches with fewer committed team members serving week after week, foregoing mid-week rehearsals can actually be a blessing. It allows team members to practice individually on their own schedules rather than adding another commitment. This approach prevents burnout and keeps musicians and techs fresh for Sunday.
In larger churches, where teams rotate members in and out, a mid-week rehearsal can be a realistic option. For example, if you have enough musicians and techs to schedule each person only once a month, they can commit to a mid-week rehearsal and the following Sunday’s service. This keeps the time commitment manageable while maintaining high standards.
At the same time, some musicians, audio engineers, and other church creatives genuinely want to serve every week. Their passion and dedication foster consistency and inspire others. If there’s a way to accommodate their enthusiasm without overburdening the team or limiting opportunities for others, it’s worth doing so. These individuals thrive on the routine and energy of regular involvement and can help set the tone for the team.
But balance is key. Leaders should always make room for new and eager talent. Pairing experienced team members with newcomers creates opportunities for mentorship, growth, and continuity. This not only strengthens the team but ensures no one is overburdened, fostering collaboration and sustainability.
Let’s not forget that rehearsals aren’t just for the musicians—they’re for the tech team too. I’ve been guilty of looking at rehearsals through my own limited audio lens. A good tech director can help remind everyone that no one works in a vacuum. Worship leaders, be willing to run that song one more time so the tech team can make their adjustments. And techies, remember that the singers are human too—sometimes they’re just tired and ready to call it a night.
Tips for Prioritizing Freshness in Worship Teams
- Be Mindful of Rotations
For churches with a deeper volunteer pool, rotate musicians frequently to give them time to rest. Avoid scheduling the same person every week unless they’re enthusiastic about it. This ensures they come to their next scheduled service recharged and ready to give their best. - Commit to the Plan
Stick to the established plan and avoid last-minute changes, such as adding new songs or changing keys. While some team members may excel with tools like the Nashville Number System, not everyone is equally comfortable with sudden adjustments. Imagine spending all week perfecting a challenging guitar part, only to be told on Sunday morning to play it in a different key. Occasional changes are understandable, but frequent inconsistencies can frustrate and demoralize the team. Consistency fosters trust, encourages preparation, and ensures a smoother worship experience for everyone involved. - Use Virtual Soundcheck
For churches with access to VSC, consider recording mid-week rehearsals or previous services for use in mix preparation. This allows the tech team to work independently of the musicians, reducing rehearsal time while still delivering a polished mix. I discussed the use of VSC in detail in a previous article, you can read it here. - Foster Community Over Rehearsals
If mid-week rehearsals are a cornerstone of your church’s routine, make them more than just work sessions. Use this time to build camaraderie, pray together, and refocus on the bigger picture—leading people into worship. Some of the most meaningful moments of community often happen at the conclusion of a rehearsal when the team connects on a deeper level. Creating this sense of togetherness helps offset the potential fatigue of an additional weekly commitment and reinforces the shared purpose of serving the congregation. - Watch for Signs of Burnout
Pay attention to your team’s energy levels and attitudes. A musician who suddenly becomes uncharacteristically negative or disengaged may be stretched too thin. Open communication and proactive scheduling can help prevent burnout before it takes hold.
Ultimately, the goal of any rehearsal schedule is to foster growth, discipline, and joy in serving. Regardless of your role—whether on the platform or in the booth—the purpose of preparation is to reach a point where the equipment, the musical notes, and the mix all “disappear.” When we’re fully prepared, we can move beyond the technicalities and muscle memory, letting go, if only for a moment, to join the congregation in genuine praise and worship. That’s the heart of what we do, and my prayer is that we never lose sight of it.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the poll and contributed comments on this subject. I look forward to hearing more from you soon. Until then, don’t forget to listen.
