Q
Recently, a church member criticized me for speaking before and between songs and prayers. She said she had been worshiping in our church for many years and didn’t need all my instructions. I don’t want to be distracting, but I also want to be helpful to newcomers. How should I respond?
A
One summer, my family and I visited Walt Disney World. Straightaway it became clear to me that most visitors are either Disney pros or Disney novices. The pros know every corner of the parks. They navigate the shortest routes to their favorite rides. They identify where and when to stand in line to maximize their time. They’ve read all the blogs to learn how to access free entertainment, souvenirs, food, and transportation. Clearly, I was not a pro, but a novice.
However, Disney novices need not despair. Disney offers a helpful app called Disney Genie that helps orient visitors so they can make the most of their experience. Maps to attractions, wait times, and reservations are all at visitors’ fingertips.
In case someone’s phone battery fails, Disney has placed physical maps around the park so that no one gets lost and anyone can find an attraction in seconds. Furthermore, employees called “cast members” are available around every corner to point you in the right direction.
In public worship, we also have pros and novices. The pros are familiar with when to sit and when to stand. They’re quick with a verbal response to “The Lord be with you” or “The word of the Lord.” They’ve memorized the hymnal numbers of their favorite songs. Their hearts, minds, and bodies move seamlessly from praise to confession to thanksgiving. They easily distinguish between prayers of invocation, illumination, and intercession.
But most of our visitors and even some longtime participants are novices. They need prompts to know what to do, the guidance on how to do it, and the understanding of why we are doing it. They need “apps,” “maps,” and “cast members” to show them the way.
Our leaders of public worship play a vital role in orienting worshipers. They need to execute music, deliver prayers, and read Scripture effectively. But they also need to frame the what, how, and why of our actions in worship. This gesture of hospitality is essential for novices, but when communicated effectively, it also proves meaningful to worship pros.
In-Between Words and Frames
Most of our visitors and even some longtime participants are novices. They need prompts to know what to do, the guidance on how to do it, and the understanding of why we are doing it. They need “apps,” “maps,” and “cast members” to show them the way.
Many years ago, I and some colleagues at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship developed resources for “in-between words,” the little words in worship that extend hospitality and facilitate understanding. In 2006, Reformed Worship published an article on the results of that work. (“Consider Those ‘In Between’ Words: Spoken Transition in Worship.” RW 79, p. 18, or on Reformedworship.org). Additionally, Kevin Adams wrote an extraordinarily practical book called The Gospel in a Handshake in which he illustrates dozens of “frames” for worship. “These in-between words and frames help us introduce or transition between elements of worship, and they make all the difference in enabling the full, conscious, and active participation of the people.
Like apps, maps, and cast members, these words are not the focus of our worship, but tools to help maximize the experience. When delivered thoughtfully, warmly, and succinctly, in-between words or frames can invite worshipers to deeper participation in our songs, prayers, readings, and more.
What follows are several examples of words in worship that leaders might use to help orient and enrich participation. First, I’ll provide some words that effectively invite active participation. Second, I’ll highlight words that prompt conscious participation. Finally, I’ll give examples of words that encourage full participation.
Active Participation
Public worship is active. It is active internally through silence and contemplation. It is active externally through postures, gestures, and movement. Many actions in worship are obvious to the pro and can easily be forgotten by worship leaders. But novices appreciate the direction. Here are several examples:
- Let’s rise in body or in spirit to sing to our God!
- I invite you to clap your hands in joyful praise.
- Please be seated as we turn to Jesus in prayer.
- If you’re willing, lift your arms in a gesture of surrender before God.
- In this moment of silence, reflect on how the Spirit may be getting your attention.
- Please turn in the red hymnals to number 348. You can find the numbers on the top corners of the pages.
- We will sing “All to Jesus I Surrender,” number 739. You’re welcome to read from the hymnal or use the screen.
- This is a song that is new to our congregation. I invite you to listen and join in as you feel comfortable.
- This song is familiar to many of us but may be unfamiliar to others. Please join as you’re able.
Conscious Participation
I once assigned students the task of attending a worship service and writing a reflection paper. Many descriptions of the services could have equally described the seventh-inning stretch at a baseball game: They stood, sang, and sat. Some also noted listening, praying, and confessing. But actions in and of themselves do not constitute Christian worship. Actions are worshipful only insofar as they are consciously connected to the meaning and purposes of worship. This is where spoken words can be helpful:
- As we sing, let’s direct our voices to God in faith and petition.
- God speaks to us in this next song, reminding us that our labor is not in vain.
- Lift up your voice in praise, naming who God is and what God has done.
- Let us dedicate ourselves to God as we sing “Take My Life and Let It Be.”
- In this prayer we confess our sins to God—we say, “We’re sorry!”
- God reminds us of God’s steadfast love with words from Psalm 103.
- Let’s pray for the Spirit’s help to understand the words of Jesus.
- In this psalm, we remember the acts of God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
- The Father invites us to worship. The Son perfects our worship. The Spirit empowers our worship.
- We look to Jesus, who leads us in joyful praise before the throne of God.
Full Participation
The body of Christ is intergenerational, consists of people of many cultures and languages, and comes to worship with a host of joys and challenges. We have an opportunity with our words to extend hospitality and foster a sense of belonging. Our words help enable full participation.
- Friends in Christ, young and old, let’s worship our God!
- We gather today with Christians around the world, from every nation, tribe, and tongue.
- Some of us today are anxious about the future. This song encourages us to voice our fears to God.
- Many of us feel unworthy to come before the throne of God. Let us worship in the name of Jesus, who cleanses us of our sins and gives us the Holy Spirit to empower our praise.
- Some of us may feel like we’re “pretty good” and not in need of forgiveness. Let’s pray for the Spirit of conviction to help us name how we have fallen short.
- We may feel as if confession is a “downer.” We would rather be joyful in the presence of the Lord. But when we face the bad news of sin, we can truly receive the good news of grace.
- In many seasons of life, we may wrestle with doubt. This song helps us name our doubts and invites us to walk in faith.
- You may feel worried about all you do not have. The hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” reminds us, “All I have needed thy hand hath provided.”
When we use frames or in-between words, we encourage the full, conscious, and active participation of the people. We help novices understand what to do, how to do it, and why we are doing it. In the process, we also deepen the participation of pros. With winsomeness and warmth, our words can welcome all to worship and enrich our encounter with God and one another.