Whether it is a Mariachi mass, a jazz band or singing joyous music, contemporary reverence is part of today's worship services. Going to church or synagogue is not a passive activity. Many people, once turned off, are coming back because of new styles of worship that involves guitars, drums, and lots of great music. People of all ages attend blended worship services where PowerPoint presentations on overhead screens replace hymnals.
Instructions
Plan Contemporary Worship
1. A planning committee decides a time and place for the first service. Some folks begin on Saturday evening while others find a time during the Sunday school hour on Sunday morning works best. Whatever time chosen most likely gets changed as the service begins. Every congregation has a magic time that works best for the congregants. DO NOT PUT OFF THIS DECISION. Make that time and place decision and move forward.
2. Put a call forth for musicians. They are hiding in the congregation. It may be the sitting district judge and the 45 year old plant manager of the local manufacturing plant. The drummer works for the city and the two vocalists are professors at the community college. The contemporary band is waiting to emerge. If they DO NOT come forth immediately, get recorded music from the Christian music store to use for six months.
3. Publicize the contemporary service every week for six weeks before it begins and make it a recruitment tool for new members. Name it in every bulletin and newsletter. Talk about it in every worship service. Put a banner outside the church to encourage others to attend. Place a story in the local newspaper and a public service announcement (PSA) on the radio stations. Promote the service as casual. Encourage congregants to view the service as a different kind of worship.
4. The planning committee serves are greeters and plan the service with the pastor. Copy the songs to be sung either on the worship service bulletin or on a song sheet. The church or a congregant owns a laptop computer with a Dell 1201MP Projector. Use it to put the lyrics on the wall or a screen.
5. As the service begins, have music playing and people greeting at every entrance with a detailed AGENDA (morning program or bulletin). Make the first and every service a grand and glorious event. Provide easily available coffee (or water) and cookies. Make sure people know they can eat during the service. The top five songs:
1 Give Thanks
2 How Great Is Our God
3 Forever
4 Blessed Be Your Name
5 Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone (tie)
6. The order of worship follows the tradition of your church. Many people shorten it to FORTY-FIVE minutes. Ministers often condense their morning messages. Try printing the words to the songs in the programs (morning bulletins) and using PowerPoint. Take a survey after five weeks and ask the contemporary worship committee and congregants what they like best.
7. After the service, stay around and greet each other until the last person leaves the building. Keep the food flowing.
