Develop engaging worship
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.
John 4 v 23
This step helps us consider how our services and worship can be both deeply spiritual and uplifting AND accessible to a newcomer.
Question: Would you bring your friends to your church service?
To some Christians, the idea of inviting partners and friends to worship with us is highly problematic. It could be embarrassing. The worship services in many of our churches are so uninspiring or clannish, or so unintelligent and unintelligible - or both - that we'd rather not invite others. If that is the case, we have a real problem on our hands...
'How can we have the kind of worship to which we are not embarrassed to bring our partners and friends? Indeed how can we have the kind of worship that may expose others to an experience of God?'
Raymond Fung, The Isiah Vision
Combining the Social and the Sacred
Image from LyCiG Manual
How can you arrange worship that overlaps the two circles above?
Celebrate this Holy Mass as if it were your first mass, your last mass, your only mass.
St. John Vainney
Review your worship services using the list below. Decide how you will implement the ‘Must’ items in the near future.
LyCiG Worship Checklist |
| GATHERING and WELCOME | Must | Should | Could | Done |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Establish provision for children allowing them to learn and draw closer to Jesus Christ. | ||||
| Consider the length of your service | ||||
| Think about the time your service begins | ||||
| Find and commission church welcomers | ||||
| Encourage people to sit closer together | ||||
| Serve decent refreshments | ||||
| BUILDING | Must | Should | Could | Done |
| Bring the 'action' closer to the people | ||||
| Tackle worship issues: ramps,hearling loops etc. | ||||
| Tidy up the church building | ||||
| Provide decent, clean toilets | ||||
| Use better lighting | ||||
| Make the space more comfortable | ||||
| SUNG WORSHIP | Must | Should | Could | Done |
| Regularly review and develop your music | ||||
| Do some intensive work with church musicians | ||||
| Improve the sound system | ||||
| Have a means by which to play recorded music | ||||
| Encourage your congregation's participation | ||||
| Consider what online presence you offer for worship | ||||
| Make sure children are engaged and have an active role | ||||
| PREACHING and LEADING | Must | Should | Could | Done |
| Dress appropriately | ||||
| Develop the use of visuals | ||||
| Smile and vary the ton eof your voice | ||||
| Use fewer and better words | ||||
| Improve the quality of your sermon | ||||
| Make receiving Holy Communion more meaningful | ||||
| Be craetive with Bible readings and consider the number and length of readings | ||||
| Use times of silence |