Worship: Atmosphere and Leadership Source: George Barna, Inward, Outward, & Upward: Ministry that Transforms Lives

Facilitating 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 Will require attention to preaching, music, and two “software” issues: –1. Worship Environment –2. The Character of Worship Leaders

Keys 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 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 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 Environment 4. Reliance upon intentional contrasts during the service. –Heart/head –joy/contrition –security/awe –intimacy/reverence

Keys 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 Leader Effective worship requires a worship leader who can: –personally engage in worship –coach folk to come along

Characteristics of The Great Worship 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 Worship 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

Conclusions 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: Atmosphere and Leadership Dr. John P. Chandler The Ray and Ann Spence Network for Congregational Leadership Copy right John P. Chandler