How to Design a Weekly Worship Service for Protestant Christians
Church services, whether on Sunday morning, Saturday evening or mid-week, are a vital time of fellowship and learning. Staying aigned with God's plan while balancing all the pieces that make a successful service requires good organization and communication.
"What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up....everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
1Corinthians 14:26,40
Seeking God First
The most important part of designing any service is asking for leading from God. Everyone, including both leaders and congregation members, need to be in prayer, with an attitude of submission for the Lord and a willingness to follow His call for that church.
All the other decisions must be built on that foundation!
After that come the more practical considerations. Understanding who makes up the congregation as it presently is - older, families, younger attenders, etc, can help decide service times, elements and even the tone of services.
Service Elements
Every worship service consists of a series of elements. Many remain the same from week to week, but others may be utilized on particular Sundays to highlight events within or outside the church.
You'll need to have a good core of leaders who can help you find volunteers to fill each ministry slot for the service. Hopefully, each one who steps up to help will have a passion and gift for what they will be doing. Then, as it says in Romans, many parts will work together as one body!
"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."
Ephesians 4:11-13
Leaders Needed For A Service
Service Leader - this person opens the service, gives announcements and keeps the flow of the elements going smoothly. Sometimes they will lead a time of prayer and the offertory.
Worship Leader - this person leads the music portion of the service, usually consisting of an opening set, an offertory piece, and possibly for communion.
Pastor/Speaker - this person prepares and delivers the sermon, and will most likely choose the scripture reading. They may deliver the Benediction, and offer up specific prayer concerns during the service.
Major Elements of A Worship Service
Note: There is no one formula for a church service. Each church needs to seek out God's plan individually. This list is a starting point for ideas.
Invocation/Greeting
The opening time is meant to invite the congregation into worship. This is usually done by the day's Service Leader.
Worship Music
There is usually an opening set of some kind, to bring people deeper into worship. What kind of music (hymns, songs or some combination), and who will play them (a worship team or organist/pianist) will need to be agreed upon.
Scripture Reading
Having verses read, either by a service leader or another volunteer, that correspond with the sermon theme focuses people's hearts and minds. Offering (about 10 minutes)
The taking a monetary offering is based on scripture passages that talk about "tithing", or giving a tenth of what is earned to the church. This is usually done by the ushers. Often a piece of music is played during the collection.
Prayer & Praise Time
Giving church members the chance to ask for prayer or give a praise can bond the congregation together. The time allotment for this should be strictly followed, so the service doesn't run too far overtime.
Sermon/Message
The main section of teaching is most often done by the church Pastor, though it can be refreshing to occasionally bring in a guest speaker. Here, a scripture passage or Biblical truth is examined and explained.
Final Music
Doing one last song or hymn that also corresponds with the main theme punctuates the sermon.
Benediction
This final blessing encourages the congregation to go out of the church into their week with renewed purpose. The Pastor or service leader does this.
Other/Special Elements
On certain days additional elements might be added to the basics. They can bring excitement and interest to unique days, but must be inserted carefully to protect the flow of the service. Some of them include:
- Communion
- Special Music
- Missions Moment
- Drama
- Personal Testimonies
- Baptism
- Infant Dedication
- Special Prayer concerns (missionaries, people leaving, etc.)
Holiday and Other Special Services
A church celebrating Easter and Christmas might include extra special music like a choir or brass ensemble, or additional scripture readings to tell the story of Jesus' birth or death and resurrection, or things like lighting candles or taking communion.
Some churches even commemorate Thanksgiving: with a service and pie social, for instance. Patriotic days like July 4th and Veteran's Day, can include a salute to members in the congregation who've served in the armed forces.
To mark the "Suffering Church" awareness month in November, powerful videos or testimonies can remind us of our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters in countries where freedom of religion doesn't exist yet.
"Before the Service" ministries
Bulletin Folders - During the week, the Pastor (or guest speaker) will decide what the elements will be for that Sunday's service. A bulletin template needs to be updated by the Pastor or perhaps the office assistant, then the final product must be copied, folded and put out for the greeters and ushers. This should be done by Friday.
Greeters & Ushers - Greeters are an essential part of creating an atmosphere that brings people into worship. Their job is to meet members and visitors, either in the parking lot or at the door, and welcome them into the building. They make sure that everyone has a bulletin. Ushers are important, especially when the pews start to fill or if someone needs special help getting to a seat.
Van Drivers - Every church community has people who for whatever reason can't drive themselves. Having a good team of drivers is invaluable for picking up those who wouldn't get to church otherwise.
Sunday School Teachers - Most churches offer some classes, at least for children and youth. This is a great way to offer people more learning opportunities. And most who come to Sunday School end up staying for the service. Equipping a team with training and materials helps everyone grow in knowledge.
"During the Service" Ministries
Nursery Workers - It would be hard to hold effective church services without a nursery staff to watch the younger children. Parents are always appreciative when they know their kids will be well taken care of while they have a chance to worship. The workers all need to go through Good Shepherd or a similar kind of training, for everyone's protection, especially the children's.
"After the Service" Ministries
Coffee Hour Hosts - Lots of churches offer a social hour after the service ends. Many people like to have that relaxed time to connect with good friends, and to make new ones. To make it work, there should be a team that sets up beforehand, making coffee and hot water for tea, setting out some goodies to eat, and putting up tables and chairs. A group will be needed to clean up afterwards as well.
Prayer Team - When someone is hurting, confused, or simply needing some support, they can be greatly encouraged by sitting for prayer with someone. Having a roster of people who are willing to listen and pray ensures that no one needs to leave the service feeling alone.