Philosophy of Worship Service Planning

About this sermon

Maximum Life is the Media Ministry of Pastor Zach Terry. The following list pertains to all of our gatherings where corporate praise and worship are expressed to our Lord. This list is not exhaustive, but rather just a few things that I have been on my mind over the course of my time at FBC. Consider what you might add or challenge in the list below, and let’s find a shared philosophy that we can move forward with together. Worship Music Should be Biblical - I will be challenging our people to hold the worship set to the same standard that they hold the sermon. When in doubt - ask me or another Pastor. Worship Music Should be as Excellent as Possible Worship Music Should be as Voluntary as Possible Worship Music Should be both Godward and Manward (Eph. 5:19) - Horizontal and Vertical. Worship Music Should be more Godward than Manward - Worship is mostly about Him. The Worship Style Should make Cohesive Sense - For example, the reason we don’t incorporate hip-hop into our worship set is because it just doesn’t make sense. Stylistically, our choice of music should be diverse while not being distracting. The Worship Team should be MORE God focused than the congregation - consider leading them toward applauding as well. EX FBC Jax The Worship Service Should be Time Sensitive - a LOT is riding on the 25 minutes allotted for music. It is a big deal when we go over. It will be a bigger deal when we have a second campus. The Worship Service Should be Culturally/Missionally Appropriate - For example, one would not lead worship in China using Bill Gaither music. This is why we have used two types of worship music; our congregation is culturally diverse. The Worship Set, doesn’t have to follow the primary message of the sermon, but it should present a primary message if possible. Generally, the Worship Team can be compared to a piece of wall art. The larger the audience the larger the group leading the audience. Comments during the Worship Set or After should Seek to Communicate Our Intention. Worship Leaders should to be Learning Leaders - We don’t need to plan other activities during worship. Be in the services. Acts 2:42 (ESV) 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Justin Martyr wrote a first-hand account of worship in the Early Church in his First Apology to the Roman authorities (ca. 153): -  First Apology, 67 On the day called Sunday there is a gathering together in the same place of all who live in a given city or rural district. The memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits. Then when the reader ceases, the president in a discourse admonishes and urges the imitation of these good things. Next we all rise together and send up prayers. When we cease from our prayer, bread is presented and wine and water. The president in the same manner sends up prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people sing out their assent, saying the“Amen.” A distribution and participation of the elements for which thanks have been given is made to each person, and to those who are not present they are sent by the deacons. Those who have means and are willing, each according to his own choice, gives what he wills, and what is collected is deposited with the president. He provides for the orphans and widows, those who are in need on account of sickness or some other cause, those who are in bonds, strangers who are sojourning, and in a word he becomes the protector of all who are in need. We all make our assembly in common on Sunday, since it is the first day, on which God changed the darkness and matter and made the world, and Jesus Christ our Savior arose from the dead on the same day. For they crucified him on the day before Saturn’s day, and on the day after (which is the day of the Sun) he appeared to his apostles and disciples and taught these things, which we have offered for your consideration. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maximumlifewithzachterry Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zachterry Website http://www.zachterry.org Twitter https://twitter.com/zachterry

Topics

• Worship
• Service & Ministry