Who Gathers To Worship? - Congregational Worship (Part 1)

worship Congregational Worship How the church gathers as God’s people Resource: Corporate Worship - Matt Merker (Crossway Publishers) Why? Why should we gather as a church? Is it because … • It makes me feel closer to God? Why? Why should we gather as a church? Is it because … • It makes me feel closer to God? • The teaching motivates me to be a better person? Why? Why should we gather as a church? Is it because … • It makes me feel closer to God? • The teaching motivates me to be a better person? • It’s an opportunity to socialise? Why? Why should we gather as a church? Is it because … • It makes me feel closer to God? • The teaching motivates me to be a better person? • It’s an opportunity to socialise? • I want my children to receive a good moral foundation 2017 survey - Pew Research Center What? What should the church do when it gathers? Should we have … • A full-length sermon, a short devotion, people can share anything they want, or include a skit/drama • Psalms (only Scripture), hymns (traditional or modern?), choruses or a combination? • Musical instruments—none, some or many? • Different music styles—Handel, Hillsong, or something in-between? • Prayers—how many, how long? scripted or unrehearsed? How? How do we decide what to do when we gather? Should decisions be made … • By the elders, a worship team, or the entire congregation? • Days before the service, 30 minutes prior, or just ‘let the Spirit lead’ during the service? • Based on Scripture, church history, tradition, or community expectations? Who? Who gathers together? People who are… 1. Made alive with Jesus (Ephesians 2:1-10) ➡ new life ➡ new speech ➡ new behaviour 2. Joined to God’s family (Eph. 2:13-22, Heb 12:22-24) ➡ invisible ➡ heavenly ➡ universal church (all believers) 3. Joined to a community of Christians (Acts 20:17, Ephesians 1:1, Revelation 1:11) Who? Who gathers together? People who are… 1. Made alive with Jesus (Ephesians 2:1-10) ➡ new life ➡ new speech ➡ new behaviour 2. Joined to God’s family (Eph. 2:13-22, Heb 12:22-24) ➡ invisible ➡ heavenly ➡ universal church (all believers) 3. Joined to a community of Christians (Acts 20:17, Ephesians 1:1, Revelation 1:11) ➡ visible ➡ earthly ➡ local church (time and place) Application If church is “Christians” gathering, then our worship service should be distinctly Christian in both form and content. Application If church is “Christians” gathering, then our worship service should be distinctly Christian in both form and content. If church is Christians “gathering,” then our worship service should be a place to participate, not isolate. If church is Christians “gathering,” then our worship service should be a place to participate, not isolate. If church is Christians “gathering,” then our worship service should be a place to participate, not isolate.