ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Was that a worship service or a perfect time to take a nap? I am tired of boring, unorganized, and uninspiring worship services. If I am going to drive to church for corporate worship and invest time in my local church, I am looking to be a part of something that is cutting edge, spiritually exciting, well-organized, visitor-friendly, and mission-driven.
We do not have time to waste recreating a style of worship from the 1800’s. Churches filled with lifeless people will not finish the work God has given us in these last days. We need to get excited about Jesus and what He has done for us. If we are on fire for Jesus, the excitement will be displayed in a number of ways.
- People will look forward to going to church and will invite nonAdventists to worship with them on a regular basis. If people are not excited about the corporate worship service, they will not invite others to church.
- When in church, people will be glad to be there and that inner-happiness will be expressed through friendship building and fellowship. We need to stop just greeting people and really take the time to get to know them.
- A vibrant and growing church will have a strategic plan in place to disciple and train church members and new attendees. An exciting training program will teach church members and attendees about the mission of the world and local church, spiritual gifts, and help them discover a place in active ministry.
- If people are excited about the worship service and are being discipled for missions, churches will them have large teams of modern-day missionaries who are actively seeking and saving lost souls for the eternal kingdom.
These are just a few thoughts on the subject. There is so much more that needs to be discussed when it comes to creating healthy and growing churches. In the meantime, lets prayerfully work at developing interesting, exciting, inspiring, Christ-centered worship services that the church members can get excited about.
FYI – This does not mean we have to go from one extreme to another. Cheap-grace and rock-n-roll worship services will not help achieve the goals God wants us to seek. We do not need watered-down theology and a rock-n-roll band to be relevant in the 21st century.
Try this…
SABBATH WORSHIP
- Music playing in the background as people enter the sanctuary
- 11:00am (or whatever time works for you) – Worship team take their places on the platform
- Worship leader welcomes everyone and opens with a word of prayer
- Worship team leads out in the song service
- In-between the 2nd and 3rd song, the worship leader calls for tithes and offerings says… “As we sing this next song, let’s dig deep and give back to God a little of all that He has blessed us with… the giving of tithes and offering is an act of worship.”
- Ushers collect offering as the church sings the 3rd song
- In-between the 3rd and 4th song, the worship leader reads a Bible text… “Today’s key Bible text (or passage) says…”
- Sing the 4th song…
- Worship leader then invites the church to pray together. This could be done by inviting people to come forward… collecting prayer cards, etc.
- Teaching Time: (Sermon) – Make sure EVERY speaker is skilled in presenting the Word of God. Boring and untalented speakers can kill the momentum of a worship service.
- Special Music
- Closing Prayer
Try using newer praise songs when possible… mixing in a few older hymns to minister to all generations.
Think about this —> People in the 1800’s sang 1800’s songs. Most people today want to sing today songs. As for instruments, try using a piano, guitar, violin, cello, flute, etc. When instruments like these are being played with skill and the vocals are blending perfectly, worship is sweet.
NOTE: A nursery ministry for young parents (infants to six years of age) will allow parents to sit through a church service and cause them to want to return on a weekly basis.
TRY SOMETHING NEW… IT WILL NOT KILL YOUR CHURCH!!!
The definition of insanity… is doing the same thing over and over and over again, expecting different results each time.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Here is a good article about worship… Adventist Worship
Brett Denman
June 26, 2012
A couple things about music and worship. Just my 2 cents. During worship time your mind needs to focus on the message. In order to keep focused for 30 min to an hour people need to be put into the proper mood. When you play music that ‘energizes’ or stirs up people then their minds are not prepared to learn.
I teach English at an elementary school. The worst class of the day is always the one after lunch and recess. Kids are so wound up they can’t concentrate. Same with worship music. Get people called down and in a spiritual, reverent mood. Then they can use their thinker to take in the message.
Worship time is when we meet God. We ask to have the Holy Spirit and angels present in our sanctuary. This time must be holy and not ‘cutting edge’ and progressive. There is an old negro spiritual called, “give me that old time religion”. The worship of the 1800s, to me, was a more pure form of worship. Ellen White worshipped during this time. The modern move towards more ‘entertain me’ style of worship is lame. I want a pastor to read the Bible not a power point slide. God bless.
Sanctified Brother
June 30, 2012
I come from a small church environment and now worship in a large church environment. I’ve found the lethargy to be the same and believe the issue is relevancy.
Christians who don’t find their walk with Jesus relevant will become disinterested and lukewarm. Is the service meeting the needs of the congregation? More importantly, are the leaders being filled and nurtured? They are humans, too, and need to be encouraged to reach for the stars and grow spiritually.
The attitude of the leader is contagious. Visitors and members will absorb the attitude of the leader. Why? Because we learn by example. We will model the behavior we see.
It would be a great idea to talk in a helpful way to the leaders and share your insights. Many leaders mean well and do what they know. Sometimes another perspective is suitable to initiate change.
Finally, the worship schedule you suggest is very truncated. Teens and early adults—the vulnerable and underfed constituency, don’t seem to be addressed. It’s currently focussed on music, money, prayer, a scripture, and sermon.
I do believe our churches need to be infused with life. It starts from home, though. Christians who believe in and practice discipleship will “enter into His gates with thanksgiving in their hearts and enter His courts with praise…” They’ll come in with it, get more at church, and go back out to spread the word/love. Personal revivals, to put it lightly.
Best of fortune, I pray the services where you attend rise to the occasion!
Bonnie
July 18, 2012
I like these ideas for a more inspiring worship service. Thank you for sharing! 🙂