When we worship week after week and follow roughly the same order of service, some things that are deeply meaningful can become merely routine. For that reason there can be benefit in taking the time to explain them and thank God for them. 

As Christians, we set aside the first day of each week as a day of worship. We gather together as communities to worship God through what we call “church services.” One of the struggles we may encounter is related to doing roughly the same thing in the same way week after week. We may begin to lose sight of the beauty of Christian worship through its sheer weekly repetition. Today I want to offer a few humble suggestions to pastors or others involved in planning services that may serve to add an element of freshness to a service, but without adding elements that are desperate, distracting, or flat-out ridiculous.

Explain the liturgy. Protestant services have generally followed certain patterns (i.e. liturgies) so that there is a flow from the beginning of the service to the end. While this varies according to tradition, a typical one may go something like this: A call to worship leads to an opening song. The singing is followed by a confession of sin which is, in turn, followed by an assurance of pardon and a song of thanksgiving. Scripture is read, a pastoral prayer is offered, then there is more singing. Then comes the sermon which is followed by a prayer, a song of response, and a benediction. Every now and again it may prove helpful to explain in a few sentences why the church’s services are structured as they are and, in that way, to allow people “into” the order in a more conscious way. What may be very obvious to the pastor may be obscure to the congregation. Let them in!

Explain an element of your service. When we worship week after week and follow roughly the same order of service, some things that are deeply meaningful can become merely routine. For that reason there can be benefit in taking the time to explain them and thank God for them. If a pastoral prayer is a part of each week’s service, take a few moments to explain why your church offers a pastoral prayer, what it is usually composed of, and how it differs from other prayers. If a benediction is part of your service each week, briefly explain what a benediction is, why you always include it, and how the congregation ought to receive it. Should they bow their heads and close their eyes for the benediction, or raise their heads and open their eyes? They may be uncertain unless they know what purpose it serves and why it is part of your service!

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