worship: atmosphere and leadership source: george barna, inward, outward, upward: ministry that...
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To Facilitate Effective Worship Will require attention to preaching, music, and two “software” issues: –1. Worship Environment –2. The Character of Worship LeadersTRANSCRIPT
Worship: Worship: Atmosphere and LeadershipAtmosphere and Leadership
Source: George Barna, Inward, Outward, & Upward: Ministry that Transforms Lives
Facilitating Genuine WorshipFacilitating Genuine Worship
Barna estimates:– half of all church-going adults did not
experience the presence of God in worship last year
–many churches have the wrong goals in worship (attendance & professionalism instead of humility & reverence)
To Facilitate Effective Worship To Facilitate Effective Worship
Will require attention to preaching, music, and two “software” issues:
– 1. Worship Environment
– 2. The Character of Worship Leaders
Keys to Worship EnvironmentKeys to Worship Environment
1. Intercessory prayer.
– for worship attenders (before, during)
– for those who may not get there • the “empty chair”
– for the event and leaders
Keys to Worship EnvironmentKeys to Worship Environment
2. Sensitivity to the length of the worship service.
– Long enough to have people connect deeply with God, cut off when it wanes
– Preaching: 32 vs. 6-10
Keys to Worship EnvironmentKeys to Worship Environment
3. Flow of the event.
– often more simple than sophisticated• major moves vs. choppy parade
– the incessant announcements
– 20 consecutive minutes of music?
Keys to Worship EnvironmentKeys to Worship Environment
4. Reliance upon intentional contrasts during the service.
– Heart/head– joy/contrition– security/awe– intimacy/reverence
Keys to Worship EnvironmentKeys to Worship Environment
5. Attention to climate details.
– Light, sound, temperature, typos
– The bulletin: an excuse not to worship• how about on the way out?
The Great Worship LeaderThe Great Worship Leader
Effective worship requires a worship leader who can:
– personally engage in worship
– coach folk to come along
Characteristics of The Great Characteristics of The Great Worship LeaderWorship Leader Completely sold
out to Christ
Fruitful character (Galatians 5:22f)
a student of the Bible
Devoted to prayer
a skilled musician– not world-class– music is a means to
the end
submissive to church leaders
Characteristics of The Great Characteristics of The Great Worship LeaderWorship Leader An intense
worshipper
willing to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading
authentic, genuine
Sensitive to the worship climate
still growing spiritually in significant ways
willing to assess
ConclusionsConclusions
When we pay attention to:– the worship environment– strong character in the worship leader
Then we facilitate effective worship and help people connect with God.
Worship: Worship: Atmosphere and LeadershipAtmosphere and Leadership
Dr. John P. ChandlerThe Ray and Ann Spence Network for Congregational Leadership
www.rasnet.orgCopy right John P. Chandler