Ephesians
2:8 reminds us that “through Christ we have access to God the Father by one
Spirit.” Most simply then, the role of the leader at any gathering is to lead
people in their engagement with God the Father, in reliance on God the Son, and
moved by the Holy Spirit. This makes it one of the most privileged roles in
church life, and one that therefore deserves much thought, prayer and
preparation.
What to do
What to do
There
are only four elements the New Testament (NT) implies are absolutely necessary
when the church meets on a Sunday. We meet to glorify God’s name (praise), seek
God’s help (prayer), hear God’s word (teaching) and remember God’s salvation
(communion). These are the basics. However, there are numerous optional
elements that can be creatively woven amongst these in a way that enhances them.
The Bible gives no fixed order. Indeed, it would seem a biblical principle that we don’t legislate for certain forms like Pharisees. Individual churches should therefore maintain the freedom of the congregation and leaders to adopt and adapt forms of worship according to local needs and their convictions as to what is most scriptural. What is found within the booklet is therefore no more than suggestion.
The Bible gives no fixed order. Indeed, it would seem a biblical principle that we don’t legislate for certain forms like Pharisees. Individual churches should therefore maintain the freedom of the congregation and leaders to adopt and adapt forms of worship according to local needs and their convictions as to what is most scriptural. What is found within the booklet is therefore no more than suggestion.
What
is clear in scripture, however, is that what it does teach as appropriate is
adhered to (Deut 12v29-32), and that any decision about what to include or
where should be governed by what will most edify (ie. build up) the particular
congregation God has called together (1 Cor 14v1-12). In arranging the various
elements of a service, in love the leader should therefore consider the
congregation’s spiritual needs above his own, and consider ways in which its
members can be enabled to minister to one-another – provided this would be
truly edifying. It is important, however that what is included doesn’t restrict
the time given to the key elements of praise, prayer, teaching and communion.
Planning a service
The Bible can be particularly helpful in deciding a basic structure for a service. Where the theme of the service matches that of a Psalm, the inspired structure of the psalm could be used. Other structures can be gleaned from elsewhere. For example: re-dedication (Jos 24), commissioning (Is 6), repentance (Neh 9), obeying God when reluctant (Ps 95 or Heb 12), thanksgiving for a specific work of God (Neh 8). Most importantly, the logic of salvation-history provides a structure that is suitable for most services: Consider God as Creator & King (Gen 1-2), reflect on sin (Gen 3-4), experience redemption (Gen 5-Ex 18), hear from God’s word (Ex 19-34), respond with obedience (rest of Bible).
Once a structure has been decided upon, the songs, prayers and other elements can be chosen in a way that leads the congregation through each of its stages. But throughout, four emphases are theologically paramount. Any and every service should be:
1) Word-centred: The primary reason God has always assembled his people is to hear him speak (Ex 19, Neh 8-9, Heb 12). So all other elements should be considered in the light of what is to be said from the scriptures, whether in preparation or response. For example, if the sermon emphasizes praise, a set of songs might follow; if needs, then intercessions; if repentance, confession; and if commitment, a song to that effect. It would therefore seem wise for the preacher to decide the basic structure to any gathering.
2) God-focused: The reason for meeting isn’t, however, simply to understanding things. It is to meet with God through his word, as he is worshipped “in Spirit and truth” (Jn 4v24). The leader should therefore be careful to speak and pray in a way that reflects something of the breadth of God’s character, his work throughout scripture, and the distinctive roles of his three persons. In particular, the Bible stresses his greatness and sovereignty (ie. his bigness), his holiness and justice (ie. his goodness), and his grace and compassion (ie. his love).
3) Gospel-shaped: It is only through the gospel that the believer draws close to God (Heb 10v19-25). It should therefore be stressed that we come to worship God only through Christ and by the Spirit (Eph 2v8), and that we readily hear and respond to his word in view of his grace and mercy to us in the gospel, not to merit or deserve his favour (Rom 12v1-2).
4) Scripture-saturated: As part of God’s word, the psalms show his concern that we praise and pray to him using his own words. The Bible’s truths and even words should therefore pervade the songs we sing, the prayers we say, and any other elements we include. Scripture is our resource book.
Seeking balance
A nuanced reading of scripture suggests the importance of maintaining a balance when leading as follows:
The Bible can be particularly helpful in deciding a basic structure for a service. Where the theme of the service matches that of a Psalm, the inspired structure of the psalm could be used. Other structures can be gleaned from elsewhere. For example: re-dedication (Jos 24), commissioning (Is 6), repentance (Neh 9), obeying God when reluctant (Ps 95 or Heb 12), thanksgiving for a specific work of God (Neh 8). Most importantly, the logic of salvation-history provides a structure that is suitable for most services: Consider God as Creator & King (Gen 1-2), reflect on sin (Gen 3-4), experience redemption (Gen 5-Ex 18), hear from God’s word (Ex 19-34), respond with obedience (rest of Bible).
Once a structure has been decided upon, the songs, prayers and other elements can be chosen in a way that leads the congregation through each of its stages. But throughout, four emphases are theologically paramount. Any and every service should be:
1) Word-centred: The primary reason God has always assembled his people is to hear him speak (Ex 19, Neh 8-9, Heb 12). So all other elements should be considered in the light of what is to be said from the scriptures, whether in preparation or response. For example, if the sermon emphasizes praise, a set of songs might follow; if needs, then intercessions; if repentance, confession; and if commitment, a song to that effect. It would therefore seem wise for the preacher to decide the basic structure to any gathering.
2) God-focused: The reason for meeting isn’t, however, simply to understanding things. It is to meet with God through his word, as he is worshipped “in Spirit and truth” (Jn 4v24). The leader should therefore be careful to speak and pray in a way that reflects something of the breadth of God’s character, his work throughout scripture, and the distinctive roles of his three persons. In particular, the Bible stresses his greatness and sovereignty (ie. his bigness), his holiness and justice (ie. his goodness), and his grace and compassion (ie. his love).
3) Gospel-shaped: It is only through the gospel that the believer draws close to God (Heb 10v19-25). It should therefore be stressed that we come to worship God only through Christ and by the Spirit (Eph 2v8), and that we readily hear and respond to his word in view of his grace and mercy to us in the gospel, not to merit or deserve his favour (Rom 12v1-2).
4) Scripture-saturated: As part of God’s word, the psalms show his concern that we praise and pray to him using his own words. The Bible’s truths and even words should therefore pervade the songs we sing, the prayers we say, and any other elements we include. Scripture is our resource book.
Seeking balance
A nuanced reading of scripture suggests the importance of maintaining a balance when leading as follows:
1) Relaxed & Reverent: The leader is leading his
church family not a civic ceremony. So warmth and informality are important.
But his language and manner should also foster an attitude in which the
congregation “worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for ‘our God is a
consuming fire’” (Heb 12v28-29). In this, the leader should be particularly
careful to focus attention on God and not on himself.
2) Structured & Spontaneous: God is not a God of disorder (1 Cor 14v33). He delights in careful structure and planning as seen in his instructions for Israel’s worship, the detail of the psalms and the creation itself. Yet scripture also commends giving time within this for people to praise God, pray, share insights into scripture, or ask questions as the Spirit moves them (1 Cor 14v26-35).
3) Prepared & Perceptive: Again, the psalms show how God-honouring it is to carefully and prayerfully prepare the corporate worship of God. And for the leader to come with a full transcript or bullet points of what he plans to say or pray can give great clarity to the benefit of the congregation. Nevertheless, he will also need to be sensitive as to whether the Spirit is moving him to say something unprepared, or change an item he planned in. This comes with practice.
2) Structured & Spontaneous: God is not a God of disorder (1 Cor 14v33). He delights in careful structure and planning as seen in his instructions for Israel’s worship, the detail of the psalms and the creation itself. Yet scripture also commends giving time within this for people to praise God, pray, share insights into scripture, or ask questions as the Spirit moves them (1 Cor 14v26-35).
3) Prepared & Perceptive: Again, the psalms show how God-honouring it is to carefully and prayerfully prepare the corporate worship of God. And for the leader to come with a full transcript or bullet points of what he plans to say or pray can give great clarity to the benefit of the congregation. Nevertheless, he will also need to be sensitive as to whether the Spirit is moving him to say something unprepared, or change an item he planned in. This comes with practice.
4) Clear & Concise: What is done in
gatherings must be understandable to all, including any who are unchurched (1
Cor 14v9-12). It can be important to use Christian terms. But they need
definition. And most items will need a brief word of explanation that also
helps the worshipper engage with them. Nevertheless, the leader should be as
brief as possible, and certainly not give mini-sermons, so that nothing
detracts from the elements of the service themselves.
5) Joyful & Truthful: Joy in Christ and all he gives is a particular mark of the Spirit’s presence (Eph 5v18-20). But this is often a joy amidst hardship as we struggle with sin and suffering. The leader should therefore ensure not only that he encourages joy, but that he is aware of and honest about the burdens people may come with (1 Pet 1v3-9), reflecting the fact that although we have every spiritual blessing, we do not yet experience every spiritual blessing.
6) For Mind & Heart: God calls us to love him with our entire self, and worship “in Spirit and truth” (Jn 4v24). So minds should be stretched as far as is appropriate for the particular congregation. Nevertheless, the leader can speak and pray in a way that leads the congregation to look to the Holy Spirit to enable their response to be one that is sincere and wholehearted, truly cherishing the Father and the Son.
7) Expressing Unity & Diversity: The gathering is a time in which Christian unity and so the power of the gospel is displayed even to the heavenly realms (Eph 3v10). It is not therefore the time for everyone to do as they want, but be drawn together as they unite in singing, praying, listening, standing, sitting etc. Nevertheless, diversity is to be expressed in the involvement of the different members. Yet this diversity is one that is to promote unity, drawing the church together in love for one-another and conformity to the truth of God’s word (Eph 4v11-16).
And finally
In all these things, it is important that the
leader is himself, but also that he leads. If the congregation feel they know
where they are going and have confidence in the leader taking them there, they
will relax and be able to focus.
5) Joyful & Truthful: Joy in Christ and all he gives is a particular mark of the Spirit’s presence (Eph 5v18-20). But this is often a joy amidst hardship as we struggle with sin and suffering. The leader should therefore ensure not only that he encourages joy, but that he is aware of and honest about the burdens people may come with (1 Pet 1v3-9), reflecting the fact that although we have every spiritual blessing, we do not yet experience every spiritual blessing.
6) For Mind & Heart: God calls us to love him with our entire self, and worship “in Spirit and truth” (Jn 4v24). So minds should be stretched as far as is appropriate for the particular congregation. Nevertheless, the leader can speak and pray in a way that leads the congregation to look to the Holy Spirit to enable their response to be one that is sincere and wholehearted, truly cherishing the Father and the Son.
7) Expressing Unity & Diversity: The gathering is a time in which Christian unity and so the power of the gospel is displayed even to the heavenly realms (Eph 3v10). It is not therefore the time for everyone to do as they want, but be drawn together as they unite in singing, praying, listening, standing, sitting etc. Nevertheless, diversity is to be expressed in the involvement of the different members. Yet this diversity is one that is to promote unity, drawing the church together in love for one-another and conformity to the truth of God’s word (Eph 4v11-16).
And finally