Role of Prayer

I am coming to believe that a deep and passionate prayer life is essential for any worship leader: presider, preacher, lector, assisting minister, acolyte, crucifer, everyone.

I find when my spiritual roots are well watered and fed, my effectiveness in worship leadership is enhanced.

It is tempting for me to believe this is true only for clergy, but I believe prayer would enhance the worship life of any congregation in many ways–not least of which being an encounter with God. Reading the lessons, for example, is more than reading. It is a spiritual exercise (or at least it should be). Reading the prayers is deeply spiritual and takes preparation ahead of time. Being an usher is spiritual. All these gifts contribute to the body of Christ on the sacred day of worship.

There are certainly other elements in worship preparation and practice, but it seems to start with prayer.

Imagine a congregation praying every week for what happens on Sunday morning? I think we would be amazed!

Handling Announcements Differently

Last Sunday, instead of making announcements at the beginning of the service, we showed them on overhead slides.

The reason was simply to streamline our services so we can smoothly move from the 8 a.m. to the 9 a.m. service and then 10 a.m. Sunday school.

The PowerPoint overhead announcements seemed to work. There was no invasion of worship space and time; there was no disruption from the prelude to the Gathering of the service; and folks could catch what they missed by reviewing the slides at the end of the service.

I have heard no negative comments and have heard several positive. I would be interested in hearing what others think.

Sunday, June 19

First Baptist’s “First Fellowship” service at 8:15 in their Fellowship Hall.  This is a relatively new service for First Baptist and I was curious how well attended an early service like this might be.  I was impressed!  I would estimate 350-400 attending.  Most seats–85 to 90%–filled (note: my pictures are usually taken well before the service starts and often show many empty chairs).

They had coffee and donuts available for all before worship.  Lively recorded video and music prior to worship.  Their videos echoed something I’ve seen in most places: MOVING images.  I suspect this is something needed in today’s rapidly moving culture.  And, again, a countdown to the beginning of worship.

There was a brief video in Vietnamese.  Some Vietnamese businessmen were introduced and one had comments for the congregation.  They were in town on business and staying in homes of First Baptist members.

The Fellowship Hall is much like ours at St. Mark’s (except it is not in the basement).  But the low ceiling was evident.  That made the two large screen helpful because I was sitting directly behind others and often could not see the speaker.

They had three high-tech cameras in operation and at least three A/V techs in the video/sound booth.

Two lessons were read–mostly as part of the sermon instead of independently.  But the lessons were from the lectionary.  Even though this is Father’s Day, the emphasis was on the Trinity–because, after all, this is TRINITY SUNDAY.

The sermon was excellent.  I would give it a 4 1/2 of 5 stars.  Immediately following the sermon–which centered on Paul’s Trinitarian benediction from 2 Corinthians 13:11-12: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you”–came the offering, “Where we can respond to the grace, love and communion of God.”  As part of the offering, the preacher also invited people to commit “not just your resources, God wants your life…”  He announced that he would be available for individual counseling if anyone wanted to commit his or her life to Christ.

The band ended the service with the traditional hymn “Beautiful Savior.”  All announcements were at the end of the service–something that really works well (much better than at the beginning of the service).

Spiritually, I would rate this service a 4 out of 5 stars.  Good music, well-filled fellowship hall with excellent lighting, sound, and ambiance.  I was lifted primarily by the sermon.

Worship Types

It has become clear to me that worship is more than paying tribute and highest honor to God (“worth-ship”–the Old English foundation for today’s word “worship”).

Scripture says, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24).  Therefore it would seem that worship is pretty cut and dried: spirit and truth–these are the necessary ingredients of true worship.

Many lifelong Lutherans assume that there is but one way to worship and that is by using a book with a common liturgy in it.  Some will go so far as to say, “There really is no true worship since The Lutheran Hymnal or The Service Book and Hymnal or  The Lutheran Book of Worship…”  What they mean is that the worship format they grew up on is what is most meaningful to them.

How well I remember the worship wars when my congregation went from the SBH to the LBW.  The old adage runs especially true with worship, “How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb?” The answer: “Change???”  Perhaps nowhere are people more resistant to change than in worship format.

When congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American moved from LBW to the current EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN WORSHIP, there were far fewer rumblings than the battle some 25 years before in the change to the LBW.

I suspect there was less resistance because the modern worship wars today are fought not over a book but over style: “Contemporary” (often meaning musical instruments other than piano or organ).  The use of overhead screens for the words to hymns, scripture, etc.  Perhaps especially the movement to a more simplified, less formal style of worship that does not seem like worship to traditional Lutherans.  This movement is far more threatening than the mere changing of books.

So my quest centers on this question: What is authentic worship?  Specifically: What is authentic Lutheran worship?  I suspect there will be no single answer.

It would seem to me that an important element in true worship combines belief with action: ORTHODOXY with ORTHOPRAXY.  What kind or style of worship articulates authentic Christian belief and leads to or reinforces Christian behaviors?

Elmer Towns, in his book PUTTING AN END TO WORSHIP WARS, identifies at least six worship styles:

1. The Evangelistic Church that focuses on winning those far from God;

2. The Bible Expositional Church that emphasizes teaching the Word;

3. The Renewal Church that focuses on excitement, revival, and touching God;

4. The Body-life Church focusing on fellowship, relationships, and small groups;

5. The Liturgical Church that emphasizes traditional elements that have sustained Christians through the centuries;

6. The Congregational Church that is primarily lay-led.

As I read, study, and participate in a wide variety of Christian and non-Christian worship, I am attempting to study the link between belief and action.  My hunch is that this link plus “Spirit and truth” is the key.

What a fascinating journey I am privileged to embark on!

Sunday, June 5

Holy Cross Lutheran - AV Consol to Altar/Nave

HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH (LC-MS), Indianapolis, IN – 8:30 a.m. service

I immediately found the “Visitors Parking” (I much prefer “Guest”) near the front door.  Upon entering the spacious narthex (now–as of this Sunday–called the “Great Room” [it had been the former nave of the church before they built their new nave]).  A pastor dressed in robes warmly received me.  An usher handed me a bulletin.  The worship space was open, full of light, “in the round” and very attractive.

Prior to worship the announcements were posted on a large screen over the altar and on two side television monitors.  Well done with recorded music as background.  Then the prelude began and the screens went blank.

Another pastor made announcements lasting seven minutes.  Then the congregation shared the “Peace” (all were “Good mornings” around me).

The entire worship service, which was quite liturgical, was put on the overhead screen.  Every one (except for one person I spotted) used the screens.  Only one used the hymnal.

The singing was outstanding–aided in part  by good acoustics.  Also aided by the effective use of the visual screens.  Much appreciated the congregational singing during communion.

The congregation remained seated except for the opening hymn, Psalm, Confession and Absolution, “This is the Feast”, Reading of the Gospel and final hymn, “Shout to the Lord” (which was the only more contemporary offering).

There were many young families evident (probably in part because of a large Christian day school attached to the congregation).  After Children’s Message, the children were given the option to remain for worship or go to “Children’s Church”.

The number of families attending an 8:30 a.m. service surprised me.  Total attendnace I estimate at 160-180 (Last Sunday’s attendance was listed as 358–probably a low Sunday for them since it was Memorial Day weekend).  They also have a 10:30 service which I suspect is better attended (although the 8:30 service had someone seated in EVERY pew in the worship center!).  The congregation has a contemporary service on Saturday evenings.  Wish I had attended!

I got a very “Patriarchal” feel for the service.  Mostly pastor led (with “Elders”–all male–assisting with Communion).  Would like to have seen more lay participation and more women!

The prayers of the church followed as part of the sermon (with the congregation remaining seated).

Sermon was engaging but around 24 minutes in length.  Little use of humor but Law and Gospel were evident.  The sermon was challenging.  Entitled “Tidings of SUFFERING and Joy”–a take on the Christmas carold “Tidings of COMFORT and Joy”.  The preacher challenged the congregation to examine our American penchant for COMFORT over suffering.  Good sermon–4 of 5 stars.

As far as spiritually uplifting, I would give the event a 3 of 5 star rating.  The hymns can only relate to people well-versed in Christian theology and thought.  Even then, I found myself wandering.

The people were not particularly outgoing and friendly.  But they were not unfriendly either.  I was impressed by a degree of multi-cultural makeup in the congregation.  This is a lively church.  They were “Writing on the Wall” of their new facility they are building after fellowship.  Nice touch.  Vibrant and attractive congregation.  Service lasted 1 hour 20 minutes.