Services

Advent Preparation

We are only a few weeks away from the Advent season. One of the elements that has helped mark out this time as special for me in the last few years has been writing an Advent devotional. Collecting these quotes, prayers, Scripture, and writings helps set my attention and affection on the coming of Christ during a particularly busy season in the life of the Church.

If you are looking for something for you, your church, or your team, here are links to the last several years. I’ll also be posting a new Advent devotional in the weeks ahead.

If you’re looking for some practical resources for worship leaders, worship teams, or church here are some posts from previous years:

Questions To Consider

One of the things that our team has spoken about is the need for a deeper dive into our songs and services apart from a weekly service evaluation. And that would open up questions, and facilitate discussion for our whole team around the purpose and movement of our gatherings, apart from song choice, and how each of us can play a part in moving our services in the same direction.

One of the things that sparked these categories in my mind is Mike Cosper’s 10 Questions to Consider at the end of every year. I appreciated how he was able to open a view of the gathering wider than song choice and simply judge a service. The categories below are certainly not exhaustive, but will hopefully fuel deeper thought:

SONGS

  • What new songs are we singing, and how are people responding?

  • Which songs consistently have high responses (loud singing/participation, comments, humming in the bathroom)?

  • What holes are in our master song list (content)?

  • What are we singing too much (themes, songs, style)?

  • Is the liturgy balancing an awareness of the people, while continuing to lead toward a direction that more closely embodies our values and mission?

COMMUNICATION

  • Is it clear?

  • Are we equipping our verbal communicators to understand and navigate the movement, tone of the morning, and the moment while still being themselves?

  • Are the announcements leading people in worship, and moving them toward mission, not just giving them information?

  • What has been confusing?

  • Where have we dropped the ball (for the congregation, for the team, with visuals, with helping equip those on the platform knowing how to effectively communicate)?

FORMATION

  • What is missing?

  • What is stale?

  • Are the ordinances being thoughtfully navigated (within the service and by the communicator)

  • What has been surprising?

What would you add?

Here are some other similar resources you may find helpful:

Don’t Judge The Service.

Service Evaluation.

10 Questions to Consider.