Making the Most of Our Opportunities to Worship Together
Hymnist John Fischer asks, “Have you ever stood in the family with the Lord there in your midst; Seen the face of Christ in your brother? Then I say you’ve seen Jesus my Lord.” I can’t say that I’ve ever felt closer to Jesus than in the assembly of the saints, and I feel that’s by design. Corporate worship – worship offered by the assembled body of Christ – is at its best a picture of what eternity in heaven will be like.
Unfortunately, what can happen in the assembly isn’t what always happens. Some assemblies defeat their design and leave the assembled feeling drained, even discouraged by their time spent in worship to God. True, sometimes this may have something to do with the heart of the one worshipping and his or her willingness to invest in what’s happening; there’s truth to the adage that you will get out of worship what you put into worship. Sometimes though, the blame rests upon the shoulders of worship leaders who themselves are not putting into worship what they ought. What can worshippers do to give the most to their worship and consequently get the most out of it? What can worship leaders do to help ensure that congregants leave the assembly feeling closer to Jesus than when they arrived?
Let’s reflect first upon the participants of worship; what can I do to play my role from the pew? First, preparing for the assembly of the saints ought to serve as an opportunity to reflect upon my position before God. Do I view my worship as an obligation to gain God’s favor or as an opportunity to rejoice that His favor was extended? Worship is not what makes a person right with God; it is the celebration of a person who has been made right by God. We ought to view our opportunities to assemble for worship more like the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet than like Simon the Pharisee; we haven’t invited God to our house but have been invited to His table through forgiveness (Luke 7:36-50). This shift in attitude transforms grudging worship into grateful worship, which is infinitely more heartfelt and meaningful.
Second, preparing for Sunday ought to include some reflection on my relationships with God and men. As relates to God, we must recognize that while we don’t deserve what God has given us and will never be worthy enough to worship, we simply can’t “continue in sin that grace may abound” (Romans 6:1). God desires worship from holy hands (1 Timothy 2:8) but despises worship from “hands… full of blood,” hands that haven’t “cease[d] to do evil” and “learn[ed] to do good” (Isaiah 1:15-17). As relates to our fellow man, we must recognize that God won’t receive our offering if a “brother has something against” us (Matthew 5:23-24). It’s worth noting that Jesus also calls us to approach those who offend us with an aim of restoration (Matthew 18:15-20). It’s impossible to achieve heaven’s goal for an assembly, namely to worship with “one mind and one mouth” (Romans 15:6), while sitting in either the seat of the unrepentant offender or the unforgiving offended.
Third, on a purely practical level, there’s a lot we can do to prepare ourselves to worship God. Some little things that may make a big difference: 1) Make sure on Saturday that you have clean clothes for Sunday; 2) Limit Saturday evening activities and get a good night’s sleep before worship service; 3) Eat a good breakfast Sunday morning; 4) Create a worshipful environment by meditating on Scripture, praying, and listening to acapella hymns on Sunday morning; 5) Bring a notebook to church and take notes during the sermon; 6) Aim to arrive at services early; 7) Keep your Sunday schedule clear if you ever find yourself watching the clock instead of worshipping (cf. Amos 8:4-8); 8) While a lot of grace should surround parents with small children, parents should be sure to bring any diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, books, or snacks that may be needed to give their family the best opportunity to remain focused and centered. A little preparation goes a long way!
Let’s turn our attention briefly to the place of worship; what can we do to create a good environment for assembled worship? I know that church is a people and not a place, that those people can be assembled in any environment, and that sometimes an environment simply isn’t ideal. However, if there are variables to control, why not do so? Three simple but appropriate guidelines that someone once shared with me for a public place of assembly are: 1) better too loud than too soft (in terms of the sound system); 2) better too bright than too dark (in terms of the lighting); 3) better too cold than too hot (in terms of temperature).
Let’s conclude by giving some attention to the pacesetters of worship; what can worship leaders do to make worship as meaningful as possible without sacrificing faithfulness? While I may have chosen the word “pacesetters” mostly because I’m duty bound as a preacher to at least attempt alliteration, I think it’s important to remember that worship leaders both lead in worship and set an example for worship. It will be hard for a congregation to go where it isn’t led; it will be hard for them to be led by those who can’t say, “join in following my example” (Philippians 3:17). No matter what role we serve in leading worship, both how we worship and how we prepare to lead matter.
For those who lead prayers: When the early church prayed together in public on one occasion, one collective voice was heard: “they raised their voice to God with one accord” (Acts 4:24). As I recreate that moment in my mind, I don’t hear the over three thousand people strong Jerusalem church audibly speaking in unison, but rather one worship leader perfectly taking the hearts and minds of the audience before the throne of God. I believe this should be the goal of every person who is blessed to lead a prayer. What does it take for a worship leader to create “one accord” in prayer? Drawing from the cited example, it at least takes: 1) a clear understanding of the majestic nature of God and an ability to communicate that (Acts 4:24); 2) an awareness of Scripture and how it comes to bear on what’s happening in life (vv. 25-27); 3) a sense of confidence in God’s sovereignty (v. 28); 4) an understanding of what is needed from God joined with an ability to communicate it (vv. 29-30).
For those who serve at the Lord’s table: I heard a preacher once brag on a church for how quickly and efficiently it offered communion to a crowd numbering in the hundreds. While I know there’s a lot of opinion behind this, I’m going to say it anyway: you’ll never hear me doing the same thing. While everything that we do in worship is significant both because God commanded it and because we need it, the Lord’s supper is at the very heart of each Sunday assembly, the most important function of the most important gathering. Luke records, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight” (Acts 20:7). Luke uses what some call an infinitive of purpose to describe the breaking of bread, i.e., the Lord’s supper (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:16). While their fellowship was important and Paul’s sermon was important, the stated purpose for coming together was “to break bread.” It’s hard to keep something as a central focus when our aim is simply to get it done as quickly as possible.
I’ve been blessed to partake of the Lord’s supper at scores of congregations around the world. I don’t consider myself any kind of authority, but I’ll share some things that stand out in my mind as I reflect on those experiences. First, although this is a small thing, I think it’s good when congregations bypass the “as a matter of convenience” concept and separate giving from the supper. Even when we specify “separate and apart,” too often these things are indeed linked in people’s minds. Second, I think it’s wonderful when brethren don’t just pray over the elements of the supper but focus the hearts and minds of the worshippers with appropriate readings and thoughts about Jesus’ suffering and death. This doesn’t have to be and in fact shouldn’t always be a trip to 1 Corinthians 11 or even the Gospel accounts of the Supper’s institution; there are readings throughout the Old Testament and from the life of Christ that are appropriate. Third, a couple of congregations with which I’ve been blessed to worship make it their practice to distribute each element to everyone and then partake of the element together. I’ve found holding the bread or cup just that little bit longer combined with the symbolism of partaking together to be very meaningful.
For those who usher in the congregation’s opportunity to give: As the collection in Scripture is more of a necessary task than a formal, worshipful act, there are many ways it could be accomplished; I’ll just offer a couple of opinions for those who highlight it as a part of their service. First, I think it’s good to highlight that giving is expected of the members but not required of anyone, especially visitors. Second, I don’t think it’s good to shortchange giving by saying, “We should also give of our time and talents,” or something to that effect. While that certainly is true, the collection isn’t about giving those things; it’s about freely returning a portion of what God has given monetarily in gratitude.
For those who lead songs: Singing can do so much to create an atmosphere for everything else that happens in worship: it prepares minds for the message; it takes thoughts to the throne room for prayer; it brings those communing to the cross. Those tasked with leading songs should realize that the role is more than simply an expedient; when Paul spoke of those who had “a hymn” at Corinth (1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV), he was speaking about the necessity of song leaders. It is a teaching role and should be treated as such. Song leaders shouldn’t just slap together a list of songs at the last minute from the few dozen that they know a few minutes before service. They should challenge themselves to constantly learn and teach new songs so that they can “declare... the whole counsel of God” in song (Acts 20:27). They should pour over the lyrics of songs to ensure that 1) they understand the words and 2) the words teach Biblical truth. They should prepare themselves to explain anything archaic or difficult so everyone can “sing with the understanding” (1 Corinthians 14:15). When they lead, they should sing with heart, soul, strength, and mind so that the church following does the same.
For those who preach: While the sermon is not the most important part of the worship service, it is likely to be the part most remembered. So much could be said here, but for the sake of space constraints, let me offer this simple, unoriginal advice: be sure the audience leaves with the answers to three questions: what (with a clear sense of what you wanted to communicate), so what (with an understanding of why it’s important), and what now (with an idea of what to do or to avoid based on what you’ve preached).
Worship services can and should be a foretaste of heaven for those who assemble. Worshippers, let’s do all that we can to make it meaningful for ourselves and others. Worship leaders, let’s do all that we can to lead souls in this goal instead of getting in their way.
Unfortunately, what can happen in the assembly isn’t what always happens. Some assemblies defeat their design and leave the assembled feeling drained, even discouraged by their time spent in worship to God. True, sometimes this may have something to do with the heart of the one worshipping and his or her willingness to invest in what’s happening; there’s truth to the adage that you will get out of worship what you put into worship. Sometimes though, the blame rests upon the shoulders of worship leaders who themselves are not putting into worship what they ought. What can worshippers do to give the most to their worship and consequently get the most out of it? What can worship leaders do to help ensure that congregants leave the assembly feeling closer to Jesus than when they arrived?
Let’s reflect first upon the participants of worship; what can I do to play my role from the pew? First, preparing for the assembly of the saints ought to serve as an opportunity to reflect upon my position before God. Do I view my worship as an obligation to gain God’s favor or as an opportunity to rejoice that His favor was extended? Worship is not what makes a person right with God; it is the celebration of a person who has been made right by God. We ought to view our opportunities to assemble for worship more like the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet than like Simon the Pharisee; we haven’t invited God to our house but have been invited to His table through forgiveness (Luke 7:36-50). This shift in attitude transforms grudging worship into grateful worship, which is infinitely more heartfelt and meaningful.
Second, preparing for Sunday ought to include some reflection on my relationships with God and men. As relates to God, we must recognize that while we don’t deserve what God has given us and will never be worthy enough to worship, we simply can’t “continue in sin that grace may abound” (Romans 6:1). God desires worship from holy hands (1 Timothy 2:8) but despises worship from “hands… full of blood,” hands that haven’t “cease[d] to do evil” and “learn[ed] to do good” (Isaiah 1:15-17). As relates to our fellow man, we must recognize that God won’t receive our offering if a “brother has something against” us (Matthew 5:23-24). It’s worth noting that Jesus also calls us to approach those who offend us with an aim of restoration (Matthew 18:15-20). It’s impossible to achieve heaven’s goal for an assembly, namely to worship with “one mind and one mouth” (Romans 15:6), while sitting in either the seat of the unrepentant offender or the unforgiving offended.
Third, on a purely practical level, there’s a lot we can do to prepare ourselves to worship God. Some little things that may make a big difference: 1) Make sure on Saturday that you have clean clothes for Sunday; 2) Limit Saturday evening activities and get a good night’s sleep before worship service; 3) Eat a good breakfast Sunday morning; 4) Create a worshipful environment by meditating on Scripture, praying, and listening to acapella hymns on Sunday morning; 5) Bring a notebook to church and take notes during the sermon; 6) Aim to arrive at services early; 7) Keep your Sunday schedule clear if you ever find yourself watching the clock instead of worshipping (cf. Amos 8:4-8); 8) While a lot of grace should surround parents with small children, parents should be sure to bring any diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, books, or snacks that may be needed to give their family the best opportunity to remain focused and centered. A little preparation goes a long way!
Let’s turn our attention briefly to the place of worship; what can we do to create a good environment for assembled worship? I know that church is a people and not a place, that those people can be assembled in any environment, and that sometimes an environment simply isn’t ideal. However, if there are variables to control, why not do so? Three simple but appropriate guidelines that someone once shared with me for a public place of assembly are: 1) better too loud than too soft (in terms of the sound system); 2) better too bright than too dark (in terms of the lighting); 3) better too cold than too hot (in terms of temperature).
Let’s conclude by giving some attention to the pacesetters of worship; what can worship leaders do to make worship as meaningful as possible without sacrificing faithfulness? While I may have chosen the word “pacesetters” mostly because I’m duty bound as a preacher to at least attempt alliteration, I think it’s important to remember that worship leaders both lead in worship and set an example for worship. It will be hard for a congregation to go where it isn’t led; it will be hard for them to be led by those who can’t say, “join in following my example” (Philippians 3:17). No matter what role we serve in leading worship, both how we worship and how we prepare to lead matter.
For those who lead prayers: When the early church prayed together in public on one occasion, one collective voice was heard: “they raised their voice to God with one accord” (Acts 4:24). As I recreate that moment in my mind, I don’t hear the over three thousand people strong Jerusalem church audibly speaking in unison, but rather one worship leader perfectly taking the hearts and minds of the audience before the throne of God. I believe this should be the goal of every person who is blessed to lead a prayer. What does it take for a worship leader to create “one accord” in prayer? Drawing from the cited example, it at least takes: 1) a clear understanding of the majestic nature of God and an ability to communicate that (Acts 4:24); 2) an awareness of Scripture and how it comes to bear on what’s happening in life (vv. 25-27); 3) a sense of confidence in God’s sovereignty (v. 28); 4) an understanding of what is needed from God joined with an ability to communicate it (vv. 29-30).
For those who serve at the Lord’s table: I heard a preacher once brag on a church for how quickly and efficiently it offered communion to a crowd numbering in the hundreds. While I know there’s a lot of opinion behind this, I’m going to say it anyway: you’ll never hear me doing the same thing. While everything that we do in worship is significant both because God commanded it and because we need it, the Lord’s supper is at the very heart of each Sunday assembly, the most important function of the most important gathering. Luke records, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight” (Acts 20:7). Luke uses what some call an infinitive of purpose to describe the breaking of bread, i.e., the Lord’s supper (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:16). While their fellowship was important and Paul’s sermon was important, the stated purpose for coming together was “to break bread.” It’s hard to keep something as a central focus when our aim is simply to get it done as quickly as possible.
I’ve been blessed to partake of the Lord’s supper at scores of congregations around the world. I don’t consider myself any kind of authority, but I’ll share some things that stand out in my mind as I reflect on those experiences. First, although this is a small thing, I think it’s good when congregations bypass the “as a matter of convenience” concept and separate giving from the supper. Even when we specify “separate and apart,” too often these things are indeed linked in people’s minds. Second, I think it’s wonderful when brethren don’t just pray over the elements of the supper but focus the hearts and minds of the worshippers with appropriate readings and thoughts about Jesus’ suffering and death. This doesn’t have to be and in fact shouldn’t always be a trip to 1 Corinthians 11 or even the Gospel accounts of the Supper’s institution; there are readings throughout the Old Testament and from the life of Christ that are appropriate. Third, a couple of congregations with which I’ve been blessed to worship make it their practice to distribute each element to everyone and then partake of the element together. I’ve found holding the bread or cup just that little bit longer combined with the symbolism of partaking together to be very meaningful.
For those who usher in the congregation’s opportunity to give: As the collection in Scripture is more of a necessary task than a formal, worshipful act, there are many ways it could be accomplished; I’ll just offer a couple of opinions for those who highlight it as a part of their service. First, I think it’s good to highlight that giving is expected of the members but not required of anyone, especially visitors. Second, I don’t think it’s good to shortchange giving by saying, “We should also give of our time and talents,” or something to that effect. While that certainly is true, the collection isn’t about giving those things; it’s about freely returning a portion of what God has given monetarily in gratitude.
For those who lead songs: Singing can do so much to create an atmosphere for everything else that happens in worship: it prepares minds for the message; it takes thoughts to the throne room for prayer; it brings those communing to the cross. Those tasked with leading songs should realize that the role is more than simply an expedient; when Paul spoke of those who had “a hymn” at Corinth (1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV), he was speaking about the necessity of song leaders. It is a teaching role and should be treated as such. Song leaders shouldn’t just slap together a list of songs at the last minute from the few dozen that they know a few minutes before service. They should challenge themselves to constantly learn and teach new songs so that they can “declare... the whole counsel of God” in song (Acts 20:27). They should pour over the lyrics of songs to ensure that 1) they understand the words and 2) the words teach Biblical truth. They should prepare themselves to explain anything archaic or difficult so everyone can “sing with the understanding” (1 Corinthians 14:15). When they lead, they should sing with heart, soul, strength, and mind so that the church following does the same.
For those who preach: While the sermon is not the most important part of the worship service, it is likely to be the part most remembered. So much could be said here, but for the sake of space constraints, let me offer this simple, unoriginal advice: be sure the audience leaves with the answers to three questions: what (with a clear sense of what you wanted to communicate), so what (with an understanding of why it’s important), and what now (with an idea of what to do or to avoid based on what you’ve preached).
Worship services can and should be a foretaste of heaven for those who assemble. Worshippers, let’s do all that we can to make it meaningful for ourselves and others. Worship leaders, let’s do all that we can to lead souls in this goal instead of getting in their way.
-Patrick Swayne
patrick@tftw.org
patrick@tftw.org
*This article first was published in The Quarterly under the title, "Improving Corporate Worship."
Posted in Christian Living
Posted in Sunday, Corporate Worship, Church, Worship, Assembly, Worship Leaders, Preaching, Singing, Song Leaders, Song Leader, Song Leading, Preacher, Prayer, Praying, Leading Prayer
Posted in Sunday, Corporate Worship, Church, Worship, Assembly, Worship Leaders, Preaching, Singing, Song Leaders, Song Leader, Song Leading, Preacher, Prayer, Praying, Leading Prayer
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