Adam Caughern

Major Strengths● Experience in many types of worship services:

blended, contemporary, and modern● Skill in multiple music instruments:

vocal, keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums● Excellent stage presence●  Advanced media and marketing skills● Professional skill level in audio system, lighting,

and visual presentation management● Efficient and organized

Personal Characteristics● Attitude of unity, teamwork● Spiritually-centered● Excellent social skills● Work well under pressure● Cultivate joyful work environments

Genuine worship. Genuine ministry.

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M y first awareness of salvation was at achildren's crusade when I was five years old.

At my seat I said a short prayer and asked Jesus intomy heart. When I was nine years old, Christmas daywas on a Sunday. There at the altar with a children'sworker, I reaffirmed my faith and salvation. Laterthat spring I was baptized. I grew up loving God,church, and ministry (puppet team, youth praiseband, Bible Quiz, etc.). The Lord has blessed me withHis guidance throughout my life.

My wife Mary also accepted the Lord as a child.Her family was living in Idaho at the time. Herparents were going through a divorce, her motherwas unemployed, and her grandfather was dying ofcancer. A local church, "Meridian Friends," reachedout to her family during that difficult time. Throughthe church's generosity and caring spirit, her entirefamily saw the Lord's love. They began attendingchurch and soon accepted Christ as their Savior.From her grandmother all the way down to five-year-old Mary, her entire family was saved throughthe church's outpouring of love. Years later afterthey moved to Tulsa, she reaffirmed her faith andwas baptized at age thirteen.

During my childhood church and music were twomajor influences in my life. From these influencesI received tremendous joy and satisfactionthroughout my childhood. Music constantlyencircled me through family, church, lessons,performances, and contests. The wonderfulteachings, friends, and experiences I had at mychurch gave me an undying love for the body ofChrist and a desire for ministry.

During my sophomore year of college I felt theLord calling me into full-time worship ministry. Withmuch prayer and discussions with my wife (fianceat the time), I switched majors and began pursuingmy calling. Since then I have been amazed at how

my steps have been ordered of God. The Lord hasprovided me an education, a wonderful family, andthe privilege of serving in different denominationsand worship ministries. Every place and experiencealong the way has taught and matured medifferently.

I have been blessed with a supporting andloving wife. Mary is a wise and caring woman withan evident spiritual gift of discernment. She isskilled in preparing and operating sound and video,vital tasks in a worship service. Her previouseducation in visual design helps her create cleanand poignant slides, images, and other media. Sheis a wonderful asset to any ministry she assists with.

Mary and I were blessed in 2008 with theadoption of our children, Grace and Sam. To seeGod’s will come together for our lives and theirswas nothing short of His divine plan and purpose.Becoming a father of two young children overnightis also an experience that has matured me andtaught me to rely on God every day.

God has taught me many lessons through myworship ministry. Through my worship experiencesand the talents He has given me, the Lord hascrafted me to minister as a worship leader in anychurch setting. Psalm 37:4 states, “Delight yourselfin the LORD, and He will give you the desires of yourheart.” The desire of my heart has been and still isto worship the Lord and lead others into Hisawesome and life-changing presence. To me thereis no greater calling.

Pers

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Ministry ObjectiveA long-term position as a fulltime worship andmusic pastor overseeing the development ofa diverse and active worship ministry.

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Worship V

isionWorship Service

A cts 16, the story of Paul and Silas in the Philippianjail, is surprisingly the perfect picture of a

worship service. After being unjustly tried and beaten,Paul and Silas were imprisoned and in shackles. Yet inthis situation, they sang hymns and prayed. Their actof worship was so genuine and powerful that all theprisoners attentively listened to them. They literallyhad a captive audience captivated by their worship!When the earthquake broke their shackles andopened the doors, not one prisoner tried to escape.Paul and Silas did not put on a show for them. Therewere no paid professional musicians, overheadprojectors, motion lights, or fog machines. Being fullof the Spirit and the joy of the Lord, Paul and Silaswere simply worshiping. That genuine worshipexperience changes lives without the need for awell-orchestrated performance on stage.

In leading worship, I strive for two things tohappen. First, all participants feel comfortable andfree to lift their voices to God. The worship leaderoffers an invitation to worship, not a demand. Peoplewill never be forced to worship a certain way. This isdone by carefully selecting the songs and ensuring a“singable” key for the congregation. Second, the Spiritof God is present in worship and His presence may befelt among the people. Worship is a response to God,not a performance for people to enjoy. The Holy Spiritis welcomed in our worship services when we worshiptruly and freely. This is accomplished through genuineand sincere attitudes on stage.

Worship Ministry

T he focus for a worship program should be ongrowth and connection. The principle

function of the worship ministry is to enablemultiple generations of believers to use theirtalents for the Lord’s glory. Through prayerfulvisioning, careful long-term planning, anddetermined building, the ministry can become amulti-demographic worship program where everyperson has a place to be and to grow. The worshipleader must be diligent in encouraging,mentoring, and delegating.

From preschoolers to senior adults,everybody can use their talents to worship God.It is tantamount to have a solid children’s andyouth worship program. Whether that is throughchoirs, modern worship teams, or even dramateams, the younger generations must be includedin worship. Many worship leaders have used theterm “talent pool”. With a multigenerationalapproach, you don’t have a talent pool, but a“talent stream”. Children involved in the worshipprogram become youth, active in the youthworship program. They in turn become youngadults matured in both music and worship andready to engage the congregation in whateverworship form they are accustomed to. This visioncreates a legacy of welcoming and inclusiveness,and retains members.

Conclusion

I am passionate about planning,implementing, and leading genuine

worship services. At the same timebuilding, encouraging, and growingworship teams and volunteers is equallyrewarding. It is my dream and vision toestablish a worship ministry that builds alegacy not just for today but for years tocome.

“The worship leaderoffers an invitation to

worship, not a demand.”

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Em

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At AHBC I have had many titles: Music and Senior Adult Assistant, Ministry Assistant, WorshipAssociate, and my current title, Interim Contemporary Worship Leader. Although the titles continueto change, the same performance continues—confident guidance and support of the worshipministry. After my supervisor of three years resigned in May 2011, my role is now one of overseeingthe worship ministry as a whole, assisting the part-time blended service interim, and leading thecontemporary worship team and service. At AHBC my responsibilities have included:

● Leading Contemporary Worship Team○ Designing worship services○ Selecting songs based on thematic and musical relationships○ Leading vocally and instrumentally○ Directing worship band and vocalists in music and song direction○ Providing spoken welcomes, prayers, and transitions○  Recruiting, communicating, and encouraging members○  Leading  workshops and retreats

● Assisting in special events○  Living Christmas Tree 2008 and 2009, One Quiet Night○  Christmas dinner theater 2010, For Unto Ya’ll○  Patriotic special 2009, Liberty & Justice For All○  Easter pageant 2009, King of Kings○  Easter music special 2011, 3:16 - The Numbers of Hope

● Directing Christmas Eve services○  Designing service flow○  Recruiting special guest musicians○  Coordinating volunteers, staff, and musicians

● Overseeing Tech Team and AVL system○  Operating audio/video/lighting for various events and services○  Managing, training, and recruiting volunteers

● Initiating and overseeing Planning Center Online (PCO)○  Creating services, membership, and song data○  Establishing system for planning services○  Scheduling worship and tech team members regularly○  Learning  improvements and updates to PCO

● Creating WorshipPlanner software database○  Installing and maintaining database○  Inputting and organizing music library, membership, and multimedia

● Utilizing Shelby church database systems○  Tracking attendance○  Gathering financial data

Arrow Heights Baptist Church2008-Present

Southern Baptist Convention750 active members

Broken Arrow, OK

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Arrow

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aptist Church

○  Running membership reports● Preparing worship music for both weekly services (contemporary and blended)

○ Scanning and collecting original sheet music for all instrumentation○ Uploading sheet music files into Planning Center Online using proper “tags”○ Publishing sheet music booklets for worship ensembles

● Designing video presentations for all worship services○  Editing script with EasyWorship 2009, MediaShout 4.5, and ProPresenter 4 for Mac○  Creating or importing message outline○  Producing pre/post‐service music playlist appropriate for service type○  Inputting song lyrics with backgrounds and in correct order○  Converting DVD video clips to the correct format for video presentation

● Creating graphic art projects using Microsoft Publisher 2003, 2007○  Designing worship ministry insert for Sunday bulletin (graphics and wording)○  Publishing handouts, flyers, posters, and weekly newsletter

● Producing DVD and CD media○  Duplicating discs○  Creating labels for discs and cases○  Recording and converting tapes to CDs

● Operating Ableton Live 8 with stage laptop during contemporary service○  Creating background tracks for songs with metronome○  Triggering background music tracks live○  Changing tempos, adjusting volume levels, and muting music as needed

● Creating podcasts○  Recording, editing, and mastering sermon audio○  Distributing for Internet, Facebook, and church websites

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Yale

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I began my employment at Yale Avenue Christian Church two weeks after graduating from TheUniversity of Tulsa in December 2004. My original position was Assistant to the Worship & ArtsPastor with extra responsibilities as children’s choir director and contemporary band accompanist.After the Worship & Arts pastor resigned five months later, I stepped in as Interim Worship & ArtsPastor, and in August of 2005 I was promoted to permanent Worship & Arts Pastor. During mytenure I earned minister certification with the Disciples of Christ denomination. My responsibilitiesand tasks included:

● Directing the Contemporary Praise and Worship Team○ Leading vocally and instrumentally at 11:15 contemporary service○ Planning contemporary worship services - songs, themes, specials, etc.○ Discovering and introducing new music appropriate for congregation on a regular basis○ Supervising weekly rehearsals with the praise team including devotions and prayer○ Communicating with team about schedules, new songs, upcoming events, etc.○ Encouraging spiritual, relational, and musical growth of team○ Recruiting, training, and maintaining individuals in the praise team

● Directing the AVL (audio/video/lighting) design and Tech Team○ Recruiting, training, and maintaining volunteer team for all services○ Maintaining, upgrading, and purchasing equipment (hardware and software)○ Designing light “scenes” and operating light board○ Operating soundboard and MediaShout (visual) software during services○ Recording, editing, and mastering sermons and music for congregational distribution○ Designing overhead projector script○ Creating, editing, and finalizing video clips○ Editing pictures, photos, and other still media○ Designing memorable and eye-catching visual presentations for sermons○ Chose well-planning recorded music for pre/post-service, meditation, and specials

○ Organizing sanctuarymultimedia computer for volunteerend user● Assisting adult choir directorwith practices, special events, andconcerts○ Leading traditional worship andchoir as needed○ Coordinating special services –Lent, Advent, Christmas Eve,funerals, weddings, Etc.

Yale Avenue Christian Church2005-2007

250 active membersTulsa, OK

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● Directing children’s choir○ Rehearsing weekly with children○ Planning music programs for special services, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, etc.○ Instructing children in reading music, correct singing, and stage presence

● Performing other duties and responsibilities○ Managing budget for Worship and Arts department○ Organizing, designing, and printing weekly bulletins using MS Office suite○ Coordinating services between teams, pastors, deacons, and elders

Em

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PRIVATE MUSIC INSTRUCTOR1999-2010Part-time, self-employed

● Taught private piano, guitar, and voice lessons weekly to students of all ages● Designed, maintained, and operated private studio● Designed personal website for studio advertising● Professionally recorded student music projects● Maintained financial records for self-employment business● Taught private lessons at the Scott Musick School as a contract teacher

The University of Tulsa2004A highly acclaimed private university with over 4,000 studentsTulsa, OklahomaAs a music recording engineer for the School of Music through Work-Study program, my tasksincluded

● Assisted students and faculty in recording their recitals/programs● Recorded, mixed, and mastered using Pro Tools software● Managed microphones and acoustic challenges

As a music teacher’s assistant at Sequoya elementary, a high-risk school near downtown Tulsa, mytasks included

· Teaching elementary students the fundamentals of music keyboards· Presenting pitch and rhythm lessons with ear-training practice

Sanctuary Fellowship of Christ1999-2003INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC DIRECTOR

A non-denominational church with 100 active membersTulsa, OklahomaAs instrumental music director, my tasks included

● Prepared church service worship song list weekly● Orchestrated and organized band music and conducted rehearsals● Performed piano music and conducted band for Sunday and Wednesday youth services

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Tech

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● Software○ Church-specific software: Planning Center Online,

WorshipPlanner, Shelby Data Systems○ Audio Presentation and Production: Digidesign Pro

Tools, Ableton Live, Cakewalk Sonar, Presonus StudioOne, Apple Logic Studio, Apple Garageband

○ Video and photo presentation and production:ProPresenter, MediaShout, EasyWorship, CyberlinkPowerDirector, Adobe Premiere, Google Picasa, iMovie,iPhoto

○ Office: Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook, Adobe CreativeSuite, Google Apps, PagePlus x5

○ Website Design: Wordpress platform, Jotform,Soundcloud

● Hardware○ Audio: Yamaha M7CL soundboard, Presonus StudioLive

soundboard, Aviom and Hearback in-ear mixers○ Video: Various projectors, HD camcorders, Lightboards○ Office: Ricoh and Ikon Copiers

WRIGHT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 2011-currentElementary Chapel Director

ARROW HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH 2010-2011Young Singles LifeGroup Leader

THE HEART CHURCH CONTEMPORARY PRAISE BAND 2004Keyboardist and vocalist for services and special productions

WRIGHT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY PRAISE BAND 1998-2000Keyboardist for weekly chapel services and special events

EASTLAND ASSEMBLY OF GOD ORCHESTRA and YOUTH GROUP BAND 1995-1997Trombonist in orchestra and keyboardist in youth group bandV

olun

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Graduated Cum Laude (>3.75 GPA) December 2004Bachelor of Arts degree, Major in Music with a Minor in EconomicsUnique studies of interest:● TU Chorale, baritone section - directed by Dr. Marilyn Carver● TU Concert/Marching Bands, percussion section

directed by Prof. Kenneth Grass● “Intro to Digital Recording”● “Intro to Film Scoring”● Senior Project “Advanced Film Scoring”● “Piano Pedagogy”

Tulsa Community College. Graduated with honors 2002, Associate in Arts degreeWright Christian Academy. Graduated with honors 2000Other Music Education

● Private piano student previously studied under Anna Norberg, 2002-2005; Donald Ryan, 2000-2002; Jana Davis Tollefson, 1989-2000

● Private voice student previously studied under Celeste Barrett, 2002-2003● Praise & Worship “Elevate” conference, Church on the Move, 2002● WorshipVoice vocal workshop, 2011

Education

Personal References

This section left intentionallyblank due to privacy

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Rec

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esTo Whom It May Concern,

It is with great privilege that I am writing this letter of reference for Adam Caughern. Overthe past couple of years I have had the opportunity to not only witness his many talents but havealso been blessed with the opportunity to work with him. As the Associate Minister at YaleAvenue Christian Church, Adam assisted me in several projects demonstrating great skill inmusic, audio visual equipment, but most importantly a genuine caring spirit for those he served.I also found Adam to be very self reliant, proving himself as highly reliable in not only the tasksassigned but even more so in taking the initiative for improving to his programs.

In one area I feel Adam excelled is in teaching children and youth the art of music. Hiscompassionate nature allowed him to work with those lacking musical ability and teach them notonly that they could develop their musical ability, but they could love doing it as well. His passionfor music and teaching music is easily passed on to his students as they discover new enthusiasmfor the arts and learning. While making learning fun and exciting, Adam never skimped on thebasics that everyone has to learn.

Adam further demonstrated his artistic ability and imaginative creativeness in the creation ofvisual presentations utilized throughout both contemporary and traditional worship services. Inaddition to creating these presentations, he also exhibited mastery of the electronic equipmentoperated for visual effects as well as sound equipment. He definitely knows his way around acomputer and is a quick learner in technology. While Adam managed the majority of the behindthe scenes of the worship service, he excelled when he was in front of the congregation. Adamwas an accomplished musician in his performances, and helped bring the congregation alongwith him as he led everyone in expressing their love for God through song. Leading music wasnot the only part of the service where I witnessed Adam being involved as he also did anexcellent job in leading worship through calls to worship and other functions of the service.

While Adam is a very talented musician and teacher, I would have to say his greateststrengths are his compassionate heart and willingness to go the extra mile in the time of need. Itwas a great pleasure to see the smiles and pure joy on the faces of children as they worked withAdam. He was an individual that you could tell was there for the children, for his students andnot for any selfish reasons of any kind. His compassion was not limited to just the children andyouth he worked with, but even the adults and parents who were often far more difficult to dealwith. I know of instances when confronted with adults, who were most unpleasant, the kind thatnothing will ever please them, yet time after time, Adam demonstrated utmost professionalismin working with them while showing great consideration and kindheartedness towards them ashe worked towards a win-win solution.

I can honestly say, whoever hires Adam will discover they have made the right decision, for Ibelieve it would be very difficult to find someone equal to his unique blend of ability andgenuineness. Therefore, it is with great privilege that I recommend Adam for any position thatinvolves music, teaching or a variety of similar vocations. I would be happy to discuss this letterand Adam’s many more talents in greater detail if you desire to contact me.

Sincerely,

Rev. Daniel U'Ren14227 S. Vandalia AveBixby, OK 74008(918) 850-8924

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Mike,

Hi, Mike! I just received this week's newsletter and, after reviewing your segment "Moments with

Mike", I felt compelled to send you a message. My husband and I have visited Yale Avenue three or

four times in the last several months. To be honest, that's the most I've attended church since high

school youth group. We finally quit attending FCC downtown altogether when the pastor who

married us, Phil Ball, left the church.

After our first visit we received your letter asking for feedback, but I never took time to respond.

The reasons we continue to visit your church are: 1) your sermons and 2) Adam's music.

Your sermons are suited for our style because they're directly applicable to our daily lives. I catch

myself making references to them throughout the week. I like that they're light, but not too

anecdotal/corny. I love the programs you distribute for each service - they're just really compatible

with my style. The best part is the fill-in-the-blank feature. I also like how you include verses from

different versions of the Bible...sometimes even two different interpretations of the same verse. I

appreciate that they're three-hole punched so I can keep them in a notebook and refer back to them.

Adam is so fun to watch. He's so talented and he always seems to be there for the right reasons. At

first, when I noticed that the band wasn't there this past week I was disappointed. However, I enjoyed

listening to Adam and watching him play the piano just as much. From my perspective, he's an

awesome asset to your staff. I visited Church on the Move recently for my nephew's baptism and I

really felt like Adam's capabilities were competitive with their music leader...which is pretty

incredible considering all their resources. My friends from Church on the Move and from Life

Church have told me about how their churches have incorporated some secular music into worship in

a really powerful way (e.g. U2's "Beautiful Day" and Joan Osbourne's "What If God Was One of

Us?"). I'd love to see that at Yale Avenue . I think Adam could pull it off.

Third, we're really happy with the 11:15 start time. It's really nice to be able to accomplish a few

things in the morning before church...not the least of which is really waking up!

Sincerely,

Molly Callison

adam@worshipadvice.comwww.worshipadvice.com/resume