Page 58 - Pastoral Ministries -Student Textbook

Planning and Conducting the Worship Service

Of the many public services in which the church participates, perhaps none is as
important or visible as the Sunday morning worship service. Rarely is any other
function better attended. Each Sunday is the anniversary of the resurrection. Instead
of being a day of solemnity, it should be a day of enthusiasm, exuberance, joy, and
exhilaration.

The Location of the Service

Some believe they must come to a special room to be in the presence of God and that the room thus set apart is
in some way holy. When the church assembles in any room, those who enter that room are in the presence of
the living Christ. Although the room itself is not holy, when the church assembles in that room there are actions
that are appropriate to the occasion and setting. Wherever the church gathers for worship, the room or meeting
place must be as attractive and inviting as possible.

The Attitude of the Congregation

If indeed the Sunday morning worship service is the chief celebration occasion of the church, then it is
appropriate for the Christian to celebrate the great joy he feels in being among other believers. Sunday worship
is a time of celebration.

Characteristics of the Service
In planning a worship service, there are several important matters to keep in mind.

1. The different parts of the service should be interrelated on a deep level, and transitional devices should
be employed so that the congregation can move from one part of the service to another without
awkwardness.

2. A supreme effort should be made to involve the worshipper as actively as possible in the various elements
of the worship service.

3. A great deal of planning and care should be exercised to assure that the Sunday morning worship service
does not become a one man show.

4. Participation in the service by lay adults demonstrates vividly to children that their parents are willing to
assume positions of spiritual leadership.

5. Lay participation sometimes uncovers people with pulpit potential who should be encouraged to train for
positions of ministry leadership beyond that they are already capable of performing.

6. Lay leadership brings variety to the worship service and often lends a spark that would not be present
otherwise.

In planning the worship service, the service can be divided into three portions: fellowship, worship, and
instruction. In the first, Christians interact with each other. In the second, they interact with God. In the third,
God interacts with his people through His word.

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