LEADING CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP

MEANINGFUL WORSHIP
(Talk delivered by Dele Kolade at the Pastor – Deacons’ Retreat of Barnawa Baptist Church on the 4th July 2009 )

Worship is the fountainhead of all the ministries of the church. it is the celebrative response to what God has done, is doing and promises to do. It acknowledges, rehearses and proclaim the deeds of God. The Hebrew word “shacha” (to bow down) was translated worship. In the N/T “synagesthai” (be gathered together) is used and “proskeneo” (to kiss the hand). Worship itself is from Anglo – Saxon word “weorthscipe” and it means honor and service rendered to someone.

The greatest challenge any worship leader faces is avoiding worshipless service. Our worship service must be geared towards helping people encounter God in worship. From the prelude to the postlude, the service must be convergently participatory. Planning , prayer and prompting are the keys that will help the worship leaders achieve meaningful worship. What to ask yourself as a worship leader include
:
1. Am I spiritually prepared for each service?
2. Am I in time with the Holy Spirit’s leading?
3. Can the congregation sense joy and spiritual excitements (aliveness) in me as I lead them to worship God?
4. Do they see evidence of planning and preparation?
5. Am I sensitive to the congregational needs?
6. Am I emotionally composed to lead worship?

TIT BITS
A CALL TO WORSHIP – The idea of call to worship is to draw the congregation to God and make them God and worship conscious. It is one of the most critical points of worship that must be handled with all spiritual alertness and sensitivity. It must not be monotonous. It must be as solemn and participatory as possible. These are ideas that can be helpful.
1 You can select about 3 persons, strategically positioned in the congregation to read out doxology or any worship focused portion of the scripture.
2 You can utilize an instrumental call to worship, solo instrument like trumpet or a group of instruments.
3 Engage 2 choir members to go to opposite sides of the pulpit areas and present a call to worship spoken or sung.
4 Alternate reading of a scriptural passage by the worship leader and the congregation.
5 Have several members of the congregation read out the same scripture from different versions.
6 The worship leader, in a very solemn manner reads out scripture (this should not be too long).

B INVOCATIONAL PRAYER - As the designation, it is invocational and should not be turned into pastoral prayer. it is not meant to deal with specific needs or to present petition but to acknowledge God’s presence, offer thanks and praises, seek congregational forgiveness of sins, and officially invite the Holy Spirit to take the total lead of the worship. It should not go beyond this.

C HYMN SINGING – this also should not be monotonous, innovative ideas must be employed. Apart from the usual congregational singing of all the stanzas of the hymn;
Antiphonal (alternate group singing) can be occasionally used.
Singing a stanza of a hymn without any accompaniment.
Reading out of a stanza instead of singing.
Dynamics such as loud, soft, staccato or legato can be effectively used.
Playing stanza by only the accompanists.
Sing hymn to different hymn tunes.

D BIBLE READING – the passage to be read must be practiced ahead. All the congregation must stand as the scripture is read. Occasional alternate reading can be employed.