Five Reasons You Should Take LONGER to Qualify Musicians

By Jon Nicol

I'm in the process of revamping my team's qualification process (our name for auditions/interviews/tryouts, etc). I'm purposely making the process longer. While there are probably more, here are five reasons why:

1. It gives the potential member and the team time to connect.

Invite the potential member (henceforth: PM) to participate in a few rehearsals, warm-ups and team meetings during their qualification process. It’ll help him come in as less of a stranger. It also helps prepare your team for the arrival of a new person.

2. It gives the PM a clearer picture of how the team and ministry operates.

Attendance at rehearsals, warm-ups, meetings, etc. is an important part of the process. Not only will the PM get to know the team, she’ll see how your ministry works. It will also make her first Sunday easier if she knows what to expect.

Or, she can cut and run if she doesn't like what she sees.

3. It gives you time to check references.

If the PM has only been at your church for less than 2 years, ask for references and contact info for leaders of other ministries he has worked in. You just might learn something that could save you a lot of head- & heartaches down the road.

4. It weeds out people who aren’t that serious.

 If they can’t commit to the 1 – 3 month process, you don’t want them on your team.

5. It allows you to be confident to recommend this PM for approval/affirmation.

If you don’t have an elder or leadership team that gives final approval, you should. They might know something you don’t. Plus, it communicates that you as a leader and the ministry itself are under the cover of God’s delegated (or constituted) authority.

Wrap-up

Currently, our qualification process at Heartland takes about 2 – 3 weeks if everyone's schedules align. It will now likely take 2 – 3 months, or longer. (I know. I would’ve hated me 10 years ago, too.)

I’ll be writing more extensively on the how and why and what and when of creating a solid qualification process for new players. In the meantime, let me know how you do your qualification process. I’d love to steal – um, learn from you.

July 18, 2012