Question:
Before you read this, I'm Pentecostal...
I've been thinking...why do our services follow the format they do? Typically, a bit of upbeat music leads up to a bit of slower worship, and that leads into the preaching. The preaching may or may not lead into an after-service. And that's it. Why do we do that? Lately, I've felt like that's cramming. Like musical worship and preaching are two very separate things that we've managed to knit together inseparably. Not that there's anything wrong with uniting them, but I think it can go too far too. When we have an hour and a half to two hours for a service, and we're trying to cram in pre-worship, preaching, and an after-service....doesn't that seem like a lot? I know it can be done, but I think we can lose out on all parts of the service with such a limited amount of time, and trying to include so much. The pre-worship is short-lived, and sometimes rushed, or cut off before some people get the chance to even enter in, let alone to enjoy it and really participate. It might not seem like that from the platform, but I know it goes by a lot quicker when you're a part of the congregation. Then, the preaching is short- lived too; sometimes crammed; maybe not given the time it needs to bring the message across, and for it to sink in. By the time the preaching comes along, a lot of people might be thinking about the pre- worship that just happened, or ahead to the after-service, or they've been there long enough to get bored and either their minds are wandering, they're talking, or they're about to leave. Either way, they don't pay attention to the preaching like they should, and since the preaching is so short too, they don't really get much out of it (if anything at all). I'm not saying everyone is like that...but from my experience, many people are, one way or the other. Then, when the preaching is over, people are tired. But then it's the after-service. For one thing, the band is enjoying the break they've been having during the preaching, and (I know) are feeling a little reluctant to play again (leading is hard work!). The after- service doesn't usually feel rushed, but people are certainly aware of the time. Especially if the preaching or pre-worship was longer than usual. It's the end of the service, and people are aware that it's almost over. And the psychology brought around by the format of the service creates its own oxymoron, throughout its entirety.
This has been in my mind for some time now, rolling around, collecting ideas, observing whether I have this right, or if it's just a crazy idea I have because I don't have anything better to think about, and it just keeps getting verified. Not every part of every service has these sort of problems, but I do see it happening often. Almost every service (if not every one), I feel, gets watered down in some degree because of a cramming format. I can understand why you would use that sort of format for younger youth, who have a shorter attention span, who don't fully understand what's going on, who aren't that serious about it yet, and who aren't always or usually there to get something out of the service or to meet with God. But my mind is on the older, more serious Christians in a youth group (even, to some degree, the adult church).
What if the format was changed? What if the preaching was separated, and the two worship parts were combined?
If we held meetings specifically for preaching and teaching, there would be a lot of benefits. For one thing, the trouble makers wouldn't show up, because it would be too boring for them. Only the ones that are serious about learning and growing as Christians would show up. There would be much less distraction (if any) from the preaching, not only because the worship is cut out, but also because everyone that's there is there for the purpose of listening and learning. It would last longer, allowing the preacher to put more preparation, time, and effort into it, and allowing the congregation to get more out of it themselves. It would be longer, more focused preaching, instead of short-lived, rushed stuff (again, I'm not saying that all preaching is like this, but I think that most of it, in the current format, is to some degree rushed and watered down). The fact that these meetings only consist of preaching would allow the preacher to focus all of his preparation time on a single sermon. So not only will there be benefits when it comes to the preacher, but also for the listeners and learners. With the worship taken out, the preaching is better prepared for, better taught, better heard, and better learned. When the group leaves, they don't leave thinking about the worship, or the after-service, or the new song they just learned, or anything like that. They can only leave with one thing on their minds - the message.
Singling out the worship has its own, very different benefits. Nobody ever worries about whether the pre-worship is almost over, or when the preacher is going to preach, or if there will be an after-service, etc. No interruptions planned, expected, or experienced...and all three have their own benefits. With no interruptions planned, the leaders spend their preparation time on only the worship; The band doesn't have to worry about any cues except the musical ones; the preacher isn't waiting to preach, and they can focus on worship; the lead worshiper doesn't have to think about when to stop the worship for the preacher; the congregation isn't waiting for the preaching or thinking about it; the congregation doesn't avoid entering in until the after-service, because the whole service is the after-service. Many people don't enter in or participate during the pre-worship, because they're waiting to do that in the after- service. Without that mind-set possible, they would (I would assume) enter in from the start. And when the group does enter in from the start, it isn't short lived. They enter in right away, and spend the entire meeting in worship; in God's presence. The main, most obvious bonus of having a meeting specifically for worship is the fact that the worship can last longer, without the distractions. Although there might be some complications involved in organizing a song list long enough for that kind of worship meeting; too many fast songs followed by too many slow songs wouldn't be good. And, in my opinion, mixing them up too much isn't good either. It's no better to jerk the atmosphere around too much, than it is to leave it hanging in any particular mood (fast/slow, thanksgiving/repentance, celebration/lament, rejoicing/reverence, volume/silence, etc), leaving the mood hanging TOO long isn't good for worship, and, like I said, neither is jerking it around too much. So finding a good balance might be difficult, but it shouldn't be a major obstacle.
Although I've observed all of the problems I listed myself, experienced how short-lived and watered- down the worship and preaching can be, and have derived this skepticism from experience in participating in, organizing, and leading services, it is still little more than skepticism, regarding the benefits. It is an educated guess, and I'm sure anyone who wanted could come up with a list of problems that would arise from changing the format of our services, and specifically, from changing them to the format I've suggested. I'm sure anyone who wanted could add to what I've included here; it's a broad topic, to say the least. I am in no way suggesting that this sort of drastic change needs to be made, or even that it should be made. I am simply making a skeptical suggestion, with some educated observations, presented for contemplation and comparison, and insight from individuals who would, should, and do have more insight, knowledge, wisdom and experience than myself.
Answer:
Before you read this, I'm Pentecostal...
(Reads quote, leaves room)
As to the question about why we do things in a certain format...
1 Corinthians 14:40 - Let all things be done decently and in order.
Hope that helps.
When we get together on sunday it's not about being "fed" it's about fellowship with our christian brothers and sisters, and anyone who is going to church so they can meet God is going to be dissapointed. God doesn't live in a church (refering to the building, not the body) where he waits for you to come see him every sunday. I could just be mis-interpreting what you said and if this is the case I appologize,.
Then, when the preaching is over, people are tired. But then it's the after-service. For one thing, the band is enjoying the break they've been having during the preaching, and (I know) are feeling a little reluctant to play again (leading is hard work!). The after- service doesn't usually feel rushed, but people are certainly aware of the time. Especially if the preaching or pre-worship was longer than usual. It's the end of the service, and people are aware that it's almost over. And the psychology brought around by the format of the service creates its own oxymoron, throughout its entirety.
This is not a problem you can fix with a different format, this is a heart issue, especialy the part about reluctant worship leaders (I hate that name).
Also you might want to re-think your concepts of worship, because worship is not about us it is about God. No where in the bible does it say that we should worship so that we can "feel" Gods presence, we are commanded to worship our God and serve him only.
Hope that helps.
Answer:
EDIT: I posted something, but realized that it would not have been helpful to anyone... so I removed it. But suffice it to say that I did post something.