Why "Team" and not "Band"

Hi guys,

I have often noticed posts about church "Teams" and wondered why the musicians that play in church are called a team and not a band or orchestra? Sounds like a competitive sport thing.

Can someone explain for me?

Many thanks.

Cause bands have drums, which is devil music and not allowed...

Because "band" and "orchestra" are about music first.

Because "band" and "orchestra" are about music first.

Seriously? Is that the reason? What about church choirs?

I'm genuinely interested...

Because "band" and "orchestra" are about music first. Not really so in our case.... Team also includes vocalists. No seperation of the two. One group.... musicians and vocalists together.

One group.... musicians and vocalists together.

Don't most secular bands have vocalists too?

Anyone else have an explanation?

In our church the worship team includes more people than just the band, creative theme, director, video, audio. I am in the band, and the band is part of the worship team.

In the secular world I am now hearing "project" all the time in the place of band. Like when my last bass player quit, he said; "I don't have time for two projects".

Project to me sounds short term, to achieve a specific goal, then out. A little bit calculated. Maybe it makes people feel very important, ie: "I'm working with a songwriter and singer on a project", instead of "I play in a band".

The way I see see it...

Team - rotating musicians, varying musical styles
Band - regular musicians, a more focused musical style

That's how I always defined it

I think the word "team" was adopted because "Band" simply sounded too secular. But let's be honest, most worship "Teams" are just the same as modern "Bands" in almost all aspects. The only difference is the objective of the players. Worship directs the audience's attention on God, whereas a live band almost always directs their audience's attention onto themselves, or some other topic.
I have seen a few upturned eyebrows when I say I play in a "Worship Band", but hey,, that old song even says "Looked over Jordan, what do I see..... a BAND of Angels.."

BBB, you've just poked one of my hot buttons. IMHO we oughta outlaw the term "Worship Team" unless you have drama, dancers, flags or something. Start thinking more like a "band" and it might just improve the quality of music in church - maybe. I also believe that in a church setting the sound tech should be considered a part of the band - his "instrument" is the FOH console.

I think the word "team" was adopted because "Band" simply sounded too secular.

The name Band implies Entertainment. And that's too close to fun.

Team or band, same thing just a different description of a collection of musicians. No biggie there.

"Team" emphasizes that everybody is responsible, not just the worship leader/frontman. There is also not a split between musicians and roadies, soundmen....

Not really so in our case.... Team also includes vocalists. No seperation of the two. One group.... musicians and vocalists together.

No, I didn't explain that enough.

I was told by a choir director once that he prefers "team" because the music is secondary to the message. The music is simply there to augment the message, but the message could happen without them too. He said it reminded him that the music, effects pedals and quibbles over "what song"--the kind of stuff "bands" thought about perhaps too much-- were unimportant.

I think it was a hip cool 90's thing. You saw it a lot in industry/corporations also. Everyone has to be a team player.

BBB - Hi, from one Brit to another I think I know, (I was in a 'team' about 10 years ago).
Its kind of an 'anti-pride' thing.

In the worship world everything is about the Big Man and so if you form a 'Band' your saying 'hey look at us' - cant do that as it takes focus off of Big J Man - so in order to preserve modesty people form 'Teams' to do the job of a Band but to not have people look at them. The idea is while the Team play, you focus on Big J not the Band etc - i.e. you have not come here to see the Band like at a normal gig.

You will notice at big gigs like Muse etc people seem to stand up and wave their arms about - oftern pointing and saying 'Yeah' a lot - this is concidered a form of 'worship' by people at Big Js house and is reserved for Big Man only.

But also - because its a week-in week-out gig, people get too tired to play etc so they rota in a number of people etc to spread the load, err I think as mentioned elsewhere.

OK - Hope that helps.

PS - I still love my Telecaster.

No, I didn't explain that enough.

I was told by a choir director once that he prefers "team" because the music is secondary to the message. The music is simply there to augment the message, but the message could happen without them too. He said it reminded him that the music, effects pedals and quibbles over "what song"--the kind of stuff "bands" thought about perhaps too much-- were unimportant.

Yep...well said jazztele.

BBB - Hi, from one Brit to another I think I know, (I was in a 'team' about 10 years ago).
Its kind of an 'anti-pride' thing.

In the worship world everything is about the Big Man and so if you form a 'Band' your saying 'hey look at us' - cant do that as it takes focus off of Big J Man - so in order to preserve modesty people form 'Teams' to do the job of a Band but to not have people look at them. The idea is while the Team play, you focus on Big J not the Band etc - i.e. you have not come here to see the Band like at a normal gig.

You will notice at big gigs like Muse etc people seem to stand up and wave their arms about - oftern pointing and saying 'Yeah' a lot - this is concidered a form of 'worship' by people at Big Js house and is reserved for Big Man only.

But also - because its a week-in week-out gig, people get too tired to play etc so they rota in a number of people etc to spread the load, err I think as mentioned elsewhere.

OK - Hope that helps.

That's a real interesting way of putting it. :grin: But I agree it's modesty. But band or team...doesn't really matter. A rose by any other name. And you know humility when you see/hear it, right?

...and I was thinking-a very real danger exists that you may easily become proud of your so-called humility. :lol:

At my church we're simply the "Music Ministry," with distinction between the "Instrumentalists" and "Vocalists." That feels right. "Band" would put too much emphasis on the instrumentalists, and I absolutely cringe when we are referred to as the "choir," which makes us sound like a bunch of airy-fairy opera singers.

But band or team...doesn't really matter. A rose by any other name.

^^this^^

At my church we don't really have a name or title for the musicians. We are just musicians so I've never gave it any thought. We do however do things like taking solos. Of coarse our pastor has been a musician for 40 years and often plays his fiddle and steel guitar with us. He also gave me my first tele but that's beside the point. We are basically a church of musicians so I may not be the best to answer your question but I don't worry about the title. Just the worship.

I think "team" just opens it up to more than just a band.
Also it account for different musicians and styles, like salus said.
"Team" can include other forms of worship as well.
Also, a "team" implies more responsibility, as you are all dependent on each other and no one is more important than anyone else.

Hey Elihu, you got it!
:-)

Nothing wrong with Worship or Praise "Teams." I totally get the idea that the Worship leader leads the team of interchangeable parts and new songs are learned all the time & played for a single congregation. It's really cool for a lot of folks to be a part of that. A guy at work does that and we talk every now and then about that. I've learned a great deal from him.

Having said that, I play in a band and don't think I would enjoy playing in a worship team. The difference? Well, the 6 of us are the original 6, no rotation. We are one band. We play a few times a year at our church...mostly for youth Sunday (even tho me & the bass player are in our 30's & 40's respectively.) :smile: We go other places & play whenever we can & we love it. I just couldn't imagine different people coming in & out all the time. We've played together for two years and are far from "arrived" but there's a special bond between us having been in the foxhole together for that time.

For those that do either, Godspeed.

Salvation Army Team? Naw...

Peace, Mike.

Couldn't resist...:wink:

fcFBBimDUpE

You play in the band, but your part of the worship team.

+1 what jazztele, N3 and elihu said.

And who says you can't have fun in a worship team? Teams go out, have coffee, shoot the breeze and jam while the singers/choir are getting themselves together.

I just got home having played for the biggest congregation I ever served for. It was glorious for Him, and I definitely had fun. 4 months of work on my part 7 months for the writers/singers/producers.

The Village CD release?

Elihu - thanks for the Phil!!

I think "team" just opens it up to more than just a band.
Also it account for different musicians and styles, like salus said.
"Team" can include other forms of worship as well.
Also, a "team" implies more responsibility, as you are all dependent on each other and no one is more important than anyone else.

This all seems the same to me as a band why are the semantics so important. I mean in a band there is the same responsibility and you are VERY dependent on each other, and nobody is more important then anybody else in the band either. This just does not make sense to me I am not trying to knock it I just have not heard an explenation that makes any sense. I understand it is about worship but nothing in the word band means that you are trying to get all the focus. Just because some bands try to get all the focus on them does not mean that that is what the word means. It seems like they want to make music but dont wanna call it a band for what other bands have done in the past, it doesnt matter if you want the focus to be the man upstairs I get that, but it is still a band playing music just for a different purpose...

This all seems the same to me as a band why are the semantics so important. IT'S NOT. K.I.S.S. Ministries in churches are often called teams, the band is a team, the team is a band, same difference.

...I absolutely cringe when we are referred to as the "choir," which makes us sound like a bunch of airy-fairy opera singers.

Really? Wow, as a lifelong chorister I find that hurtful. We come from all walks of life, and all ages.

I hope you can re-think your opinion of us.

Peace, Mike.

IT'S NOT. K.I.S.S. Ministries in churches are often called teams, the band is a team, the team is a band, same difference.

LOL right that was my point so if it is the same difference why are the semantics so important?

The church marches to the beat of a different drum. Don't try to make sense of it. It is what it is.

The church marches to the beat of a different drum. Don't try to make sense of it. It is what it is.

Not for me. I don't just accept what is just because it is... Ask questions, learn, make sense of everything...

Not for me. I don't just accept what is just because it is... Ask questions, learn, make sense of everything...

You're right. Forgive my cynicism.

I understand it is about worship but nothing in the word band means that you are trying to get all the focus. Just because some bands try to get all the focus on them does not mean that that is what the word means. It seems like they want to make music but dont wanna call it a band for what other bands have done in the past, it doesnt matter if you want the focus to be the man upstairs I get that, but it is still a band playing music just for a different purpose...

Semantics seems like a silly basis for a discussion. Band, schmand...dream team etc. Worship music points to your God, secular music points anywhere else...that's the real issue. And you got it Suicideking. :smile:

Iu7vySQbgXI

Not for me. I don't just accept what is just because it is... Ask questions, learn, make sense of everything...

Well put!

I wasn't even aware that bands were called teams in a church situation until this thread....a band's a band to me....with or without a drummer or vocalist, whether they play in a stadium or a church.....makes me scratch my head also.

This all seems the same to me as a band why are the semantics so important. I mean in a band there is the same responsibility and you are VERY dependent on each other, and nobody is more important then anybody else in the band either. This just does not make sense to me I am not trying to knock it I just have not heard an explenation that makes any sense. I understand it is about worship but nothing in the word band means that you are trying to get all the focus. Just because some bands try to get all the focus on them does not mean that that is what the word means. It seems like they want to make music but dont wanna call it a band for what other bands have done in the past, it doesnt matter if you want the focus to be the man upstairs I get that, but it is still a band playing music just for a different purpose...

If you had a rotation of musicians that made it an entirely different group each week, would say they were all in the same band?
When I think band, I think a small group of consistent people, not a bunch of varying musicians. Also, I usually don't think of media people (lights, powerpoint, etc.) and sound people as part of a band. I'm not meaning to belittle their importance, because they are absolutely necessary. I think that's what makes it a team rather than a band; it's a bunch of different aspects of the entire worship experience, rather than just the musicians.

There are a few Bands, who play Christian music and tour and write Christian music and may have rotational members but are under the umbrella of the band. They may even be based at a church. Desperation Band, Parachute Band etc. They don't necessarily call themselves a team. Jars of Clay is a band.

The music ministry calls their teams, well teams, because its usually a bunch of revolving folks who serve, volunteer as laymen-women who may have a few full-timers mixed in. There is also the factor of pointing the focus on to God rather then the band, and while this is a important factor, God knows musicians have egos the size of Mongolia, you could also think of it in a judiciary cross every T dot every i kinda deal, you gotta word it right.

You could be in the church band, and you play in a band, but really operationally usually its really a team.

Does it make a difference that it would be life or death? nawww.

There is little difference, sonically, between a secular band, a Christian band and a praise & worship team. But sometimes wordings are important, on the flip side wordings could be casually interchanged on a everyday sentence to sentence conversation.

It just seems to work out at music ministries. I for one wouldn't vote on calling the music team a band, but onstage, when a pastor says lets welcome the band, would he have to backtrack and say "erm erm I mean team."? naawwww. Lets just roll with it.

We call ourselves the 'praise band'. We don't use the term worship team either. We are a smaller, more simple church. About 700 members, attendance of 150 x 2 services.

is part of the team as others have said. I have a bigger problem with the term worship leader or the concept that singing or playing is worship. Because of forum rules and respect for all of you here I won't go into details. In our small church of 45 people we have a choir, they are our vocalists. They can sing with the band or Acapella(sp). We have a band we play for the vocalists and instrumentals during prayer, offering and invitation. We have dancers who dance exclusively to recorded music. We have a devotional period separate from our praise and worship led by our deacons. We have professional ministers who coordinate the services, ushers who control seating and movement, sound men who keep the volume at a good level. This is our worship team. Everyone doing what is necessary to focus on the 1.(and I ain't talkin Bootsy baby!):razz:

It's only symantics. I think Team sounds more inclusive as opposed to exclusive, which is what a church tries to do.

1 person = worship leader
5 people or less = worship band
More than five people = worship team

"team" also refers to the crew working behind the scenes

1 person = worship leader
5 people or less = worship band
More than five people = worship team

"team" also refers to the crew working behind the scenes

PLUS +1!

Now we can change the name of our-
" Worshiping Musicians of all aspects choir with Instrumentation of many sorts Team Band" :mrgreen:

(I'm not sure Ms Susie is agree with this...) :lol:

Team= rotating people in and out, like a baseball team
Band = same musicians and vocalists, and definable musical style.

My church "band" sounds a lot like the ABB, CCR, and CSNY on a good morning.

"Teams" are what corporations and "the government" are marching to now. Even your automotive dealers. From this post, I see that it's infiltrated even the Churches. It's nearing the point of us all wearing green uniforms with a red star in the middle of our cap. "Team" stifles creativity, individualism and alleviates responsibility of an individual.
Sell your camper, boat and next we are all riding bicycles. I witness this convoluted style of mismanagement each day. From my empirical observations, it doesn't work and causes extreme tension (stress). Designers of "that system" (Six Sigma, TQM blah blah) think we all work on Henry Ford's assembly line. It'll get worse.

^^^^

wat?

Its been in the churches for years. Praise & Worship music is not focused on your creativity and individualism. It can very much in play BUT with a bigger objective. So yes if we are assembly workers doing the works of God, I think that's a comparison P&W musicians with the proper focus would be very happy to apply on themselves for weekly services.

You need creativity and musicianship to produce P&W music. Its not a wonder the most recorded musicians in the world play, produce and record for P&W bands, singers, churches.

And the rest of your post is err-huh.

BBB, you've just poked one of my hot buttons. IMHO we oughta outlaw the term "Worship Team" unless you have drama, dancers, flags or something. Start thinking more like a "band" and it might just improve the quality of music in church - maybe. I also believe that in a church setting the sound tech should be considered a part of the band - his "instrument" is the FOH console.

Agreed...... I tolerate the use of the word "team" but when I speak to people on the streets I call it the "worship band" so they know that my part is musical, not undefined or "other duties as assigned."

I have tried for months to get the sound guys (why are they all guys? no women want to run sound?) in our church to think of the sound board as the unseen band member. I try to tell them that the board is not a maverick missile "fire and forget" proposition. The board has to be "played" during the music as if it's an instrument, since not one setting is right for all the songs. That's what I do when I run sound. The crowd compliments the sound when I run it, other times they get complaints or constructive criticisms.

I cant even get the other guys to mute the mics when the singers are putting their mics and stands to the back of the stage. I hate thumpy mic handling noise in the house system when all you have to do is push one button.....

I suppose that's what we put up with for relying on volunteers?

Anyway, I agree, "team" means band + everyone else.

In the last church I was at, actually it was a pair of women who ran the board - both were trained and did quite well with it.

...tongue bleeding now because most of my posts in this forum always get deleted...

I think the name change happened around the same time the Holy Ghost became known as the Holy Spirit.

As I've quickly scanned this thread, I don't think that anyone has said what first came to my mind upon reading the original question. So I'll throw in a couple cents!

Many worship bands refer to themselves as "teams" (often not exclusively) because of a worship band's purpose—to help the congregation worship God. This objective requires the condition of the musicians to be more than a mindset of "we're simply playing songs". This servant's purpose can be made possible through a group of people with the same goal—a team.

'Band' sounds too much like a performance. Team is ok in that it implies 'service'. Personally, I prefer 'Posse'

Call it what you want, just don't say I'm making a contribution to the 'worship experience - them's fightin' words!

Oh, and guess what, if you're in the larger congregation (NOT audience) then you better be singin'. As far as I'm concerned, when you walk in the door, you just signed up to be in the choir!

Unless you are a guest, in which case you are off the hook for this particular service.

Because it's the latest flavor of the month term.

Oh, and guess what, if you're in the larger congregation (NOT audience) then you better be singin'. As far as I'm concerned, when you walk in the door, you just signed up to be in the choir!

Unless you are a guest, in which case you are off the hook for this particular service.

lol. I like that.

The name Band implies Entertainment. And that's too close to fun.


The team has a different way of "fun". When the team starts everyone around is part of the "band".:cool:

Our Worship Team helps with other aspects of the service like reading scripture and serving communion... our praise band, Crossfire, plays music. Now, the fact that everyone in Crossfire does help with other parts of the service confuses it some....

I have heard this perfectly defined by my pastor before, I will try to convey it as best I recall. The term "team" is more involving to all present. The "worship team" is defined as a group of people, musicians, vocalists, sound people, dancers, etc. who are there to lead the congregation into the praise, worship & presence of God, to create a spiritual atmosphere in which the holly spirit can freely enter and flow in. The term "band" is more exclusionary, referring more to the members of the band on stage as a unit. It doesn't necessarily involve the congregation or other people who work off stage so much. "Team" is merely a term that is used to convey the common unity between everyone, and make everyone present feel more involved and free to participate in the service for the common cause of glorifying God. At least that's the best definition I can give you. That was my church's purpose in defining it that way. I hope it helps you. Great question.

Couldn't resist...:wink:

fcFBBimDUpE

What pickup system and looper is Phil using here to get those great slap/taps?

I play in a Catholic Church. We are called "the praise band." At the end of mass, the priest says, "I'd like to thank the choir for doing such a wonderful job."

In the worship world everything is about the Big Man


I'm confused. I thought Clarence Clemons (RIP) was in the E Street *Band*?

At my wife's church they call the band "The Ministry of Music".

I've sometimes wondered this same thing. I am part of a church worship team, and also part of a band. 2 different things I guess. In church I play most weeks, but not every week. I'm always playing with different drummers, keyboards, guitarists, vocalists, etc. Never sure who's gonna show up. We practise on Thursday night and then again on Sunday morning, and then do the best we can during the service. As for my band, we are always the same people, we practise together and work on songs to get them the best we can, and then we travel around and perform in front of different audiences. Maybe thats the difference? In church we are always changing, and the congregation sings with us. As a band we are always constant and the people listen to us for entertainment? Who knows. Anyway, it is a good question.

I'm one of two guitarist's and the lead singer in our Praise and Worship BAND. Everyone in our band knows it is a band. We play the music. In the bulletin we are listed as "Crossfire" there is also an open invitation to come and play with us, practice is on Thurs. nite and also mentioned in the bulletin. That being said, our Pastor sometimes calls us the worship team, that's fine she's one of our singers too, and we also read scripture sometimes or lead prayers. So sometimes we are part of the worship team, but we are always the band.

Part of it might be that a worship "team" consists of more than just singers and musicians in some instances. The other part might be that as was previously stated "band" sometimes suggests rock music. I also believe that churches use the word team in reference to many organizations within their congregation.
It seems to be mostly semantics to me. I do think it came from the "team" concept which keeps the "I" out of it as in there is no "I" in 'team"

Whew! Anyway personally, I think it sounds a little cliche' and I'm kinda' tired of it. In our church we have the Blue Team and the Red team with different musical styles.
I would rather have a band name like "Moses and the Sons of Abraham"
Just a little humor.

It's only symantics. I think Team sounds more inclusive as opposed to exclusive, which is what a church tries to do.

Though only semantics, as you rightly note, I personally prefer 'band.'
Team for a lot of us has connotations with work, we're all supposed to be 'team oriented' ad. Also I try to serve and worship the lord through music, and just kind of appreciate recognition of that special blessing.

Just two cents on a one-cent issue!

I would rather have a band name like "Moses and the Sons of Abraham"
Just a little humor.

How about "Hey Zues"... :cool: