- As a whole or a single event does this service unwittingly belittle God in any way
- What is being taught to the congregation in every aspect of this service
- Is there theological balance in the service
- How do these songs reflect and shape what we believe
- Worship is something we give not something we receive
- Don’t expect the music to do what the only the Word of God can do by His Spirit (clarification) don’t expect the quality or the arrangement etc. to cause people to worship that is not its job or ours
- Be careful in using the “I feel” terminology and thought. “don’t make the mistake of loving the feeling of loving something.” Bob Kauflin
- How does this teach the congregation that worship is our God-enabled participation in the Son’s exaltation of the Father in the power of the Spirit.
- Music should be an offering of worship, but is not meant to “produce” worship.
- Does this service address an particular needs in our congregation
There are more things to consider, but these a ten good ones. What do you consider when planning your corporate worship services?
Adapted from various sources
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36 year old husband, father, pastor, singer, musician, reader, eater, rider, watcher,
Also:
11. If a ditty would make John Owen slap his forehead or say “Huh?”, don’t sing it more than once.
Or, reworded:
11. “Lite” ditties do not gain gravity with repetition.
Somewhere along the way someone renamed “congregational singing” – calling it “Praise and Worship” or just “Worship” for short.
That is good and fine, as long as we remember two things – first, as far as congregational singing goes, we are singing not only to God, but to the edification and instruction of the whole congregation – that is, we are not only singing to God, but to one another as well (in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs). Second, while singing can involve worship, worship doesn’t necessarily mean singing. If we are going to be careful about saying “I feel” shouldn’t we show as much discernment when using terms like “worship?” Believe it or not – there are some people in the church who honestly think that whenever the bible speaks of worship, it is speaking of congregational singing – and they think that way, I suspect, because somewhere along the way people began “churchifying” the nomenclature.
Daniel I have spent five years trying to teach our people that worship doesn’t equal singing and vice-versa. I think it has stuck with some but I am fighting a powerful market tool called the Christian music industry.
Good list. You should write (or compose) a book on worship.
Scott – I hear you, and amen indeed.
Great thoughts, Scott. Did a quick check, and I found only three references where “worship” and anything musical were anywhere near each other. 2nd Chron 29:28 – singers and band play, people bow and worship. Psalm 100:2 – this is the closest actual connection I could find. Aaaaand Daniel 3 – when the instruments play, worship Baal.
There we go. Worship – bowing, falling, kneeling, sacrificing, saying true things about God, presenting your body to Him.
Praise – now there’s another story.
Ooops, I need to go check my job description.