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This material provides an effective and enjoyable training course which shows how to plan, prepare and lead lively, ordered and Biblical congregational worship.
It develops the leadership potential in church members, and provides them with the spiritual tools for making worship meaningful and relevant for all those taking part. The course is based wholly on the Bible.
Students should be full members of their local church, and nominated by the church to do this course. At the same time, the church must give the students opportunities for practical participation in leading services.
How to Prepare and Lead Services includes three texts: 1) the student's study book, 2) the service handbook, and 3) the group leader's manual. All emphasise throughout the following aspects of worship:
>>> reverent and relaxed
>>> orderly but flexible
>>> disciplined and efficient
>>> welcoming and joyful
>>> directed but shared
>>> peace and confidence
>>> faith and hope
>>> authority and power
>>> unity and aims
>>> joy and testimony
>>> praise and adoration
>>> confession and forgiveness
>>> exhortation and counsel
>>> admonition and ministry
>>> biblical teaching and service
>>> humility and respect
>>> mutual acceptance and support
While doing this, the course covers the areas needed to make up varied, lively, sound Bible-based worship services. These areas are like the ingredients of a cake: miss a key one out, or put in too much of another, and it doesn't come out as well as it might; it may go flat or be too frothy! The right balance is needed.
>>> The introduction and opening
>>> Adoration and praise (hymns/choruses,
prayer)
>>> Confession of sin; assurance
of forgiveness
>>> Testimony and creed (statement
of belief)
>>> Thanksgiving; offering; notices;
petition
>>> Bible reading and teaching
>>> Final blessing and sending
out into the world
>>> The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion);
>>> Baptisms
>>> Engagements and weddings;
>>> Family service in the home
>>> Wakes and funerals;
>>> Other services (seasonal, etc.)
How to Prepare and Lead Services is not for the mere acquisition of theory/information! It is essentially very practical, and assignments are given that require the students' participation in leading sections of - or the whole - worship within the congregational situation.
Its aims are to enable the students to plan, prepare and lead effective, reverent and meaningful worship that glorifies God and at the same time builds up and unites all those taking part, both leaders and congregation.
As in all SEAN courses, the group leader is the key factor in the success or otherwise of the programme. For this particular course, the Leader should be mature in the faith and his spiritual standing recognised in the local church.
Preferably the leader should have some previous experience and ability in leading services and at the same time be eager to incorporate others into this role. Even some church authorities (pastors and ministers) who have always exercised a one-man control of worship, perhaps would find it very useful to be students rather than group leaders initially, especially if they have found it difficult to share with others the responsibilities and joys of guiding the congregation in worship! This course should not be seen as a threat by ministers; rather it is to train a wider group of effective worship leaders.
As there is no biblical principle that separates Christians into either 'performers' or 'audience', 'clergy' or 'laity', 'doers' or 'hearers', why not get more members involved? And this course will enable you to do just that!
Share the load and share the blessing!
A useful parallel course to this one is SEAN's How to Preach, which trains mature believers in the preparation and delivery of biblical messages (in sermons or Bible studies), and their practical application in the congregation's life and witness.
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