Essentials for an Effective Worship Service Part II

Essentials for an Effective Worship Service Part II[1]

2. Planned Spontaneity

The second necessary element for an effective worship service is sometimes misunderstood. Few aspects of church life have brought more confusion and disagreement than the place of planning and importance of spontaneity within a worship service. Many might say these two ideas are an oxymoron, that they cannot equally coexist.

Just think of the churches you have visited or been a member of. Some of them probably printed a detailed order or worship for the Sunday services. In other churches it might have seemed that little or no thought had been given to the order of worship. I have been in many churches and I have yet to see any fellowship approach this in the same manner.

On the one hand, if you are choir member, instrumentalist, or production team member, you know how important a written and well-communicated schedule can be. A certain comfort comes from knowing what to expect and how to prepare. A schedule also helps avoid some potential problems and hindrances.

On the other hand, recall worship services you've been in. Which ones stand out in your mind? What made them memorable and life-changing? Was it the fact that they stayed on schedule? Probably not. Was it that the music was well-rehearsed and excellently performed? That may have helped, but most likely that's what not set those services apart. What I believe you will find consistent in every one of them is a worship experience in which God's presence was evident and people responded to His Spirit's leadership in unpredictable and amazing ways. That was the part no one could plan for; that was the “God-factor” that we must spontaneously obey.

Proverbs 16:9 sums up the idea of planned spontaneity perfectly. Solomon wisely said, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”

In our foundational story we have a good example of man planning his course and the Lord determining his steps. It's likely that in advance of their gathering Jehoshaphat had planned to call them to pray (2 Chronicles 20:3a). He had already spread the word to fast, and everyone had been told where to gather (verses 3b and 4). Most likely, Jehoshaphat had planned to start with prayer and had considered the general contents of that prayer. Everything was completely impromptu. Jehoshaphat prayed, they all waited, the Spirit of the Lord moved a prophet to speak, and then they all responded with worship and loud, joyful praise.

If you read 1 Corinthians 14, you will notice that the congregation in Corinth were very “free” in their worship. However, some people in their church were edifying only themselves. Paul, therefore, gave a gentle rebuke and some much needed direction to their worship services. If you read verses 26-35, you will notice the specific instructions Paul gives that make it clear he is advocating order during a church service. Now look closely at verse 30. Apparently, Paul expected that at times there would be unplanned and spontaneous revelations during a worship service.

Paul was teaching that unexpected interruptions-when they are motivated by the Holy Spirit, of course-can be a good thing. He wrote in verse 26 that everyone in the body of Christ has something to offer during worship services. Christians are supposed to be more than spectators! The entire congregation of saints should be willing to participate in orderly, appropriate, and church-strengthening ways.

All spontaneity must be founded on thoughtful and deliberate structure and planning: “Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Also, we must “test everything” and “hold on to the good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

3. Pliableness

What happens when spontaneous worship actually occurs? How should we respond when our plans are suddenly change? The third element that is necessary for a worship service to be effective is the willingness to be flexible.

Anybody who has planned church services could tell stories of how God got the glory even though the plans got changed. Of course, it's one thing to be forced into flexibility (kicking and screaming), but it's quite another to willingly allow our plans to be thwarted right before our eyes. That requires trust.

As described in 2 Chronicles 20, the people demonstrated their trust in God as they quickly recognized the need to be flexible. Consider this: (1) Jehoshaphat had to be flexible because he'd never fought a battle in this way before-with praise rather than with swords. (2) The people of Judah had to be flexible because they had never stood around waiting to hear, rather than suiting up to fight. (3) The choir had to be flexible because they had never led worship from this vantage point before-from the front lines of an army going into battle.

At first, Jehoshaphat and the children of Judah no doubt felt forced to give up their own plans and turn to God. After all, they were having a normal and comfortably predictable day with everything going on as usual. Then, out of the blue, they got the news they never wanted to hear. Three vast armies were coming to destroy them. They were backed into a corner and had no way to look but up. Most likely, more than a few of the people standing in that huge crowd around the Temple grounds were somewhat bitter about their little “situation.”

Joyful praise was almost surely the last item on their priority list at that moment. Yet, with just a few words from one man's mouth their circumstances downgraded from desperate to merely demanding-demanding of praise that is.

2 Chronicles 20:15-17:

15 “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.”

Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (NKJV). The people of Judah heard the Word of God through His prophet. Can you imagine how relieved they must have been? In the same way, once we've heard from God and know He is directing us through a worship experience, we can relax and trust Him to move it any direction He wants.

My Daily Praise

How has God revealed Himself to you over the past few days? Has he reminded you of His faithfulness through a particular situation? Take some time to praise God for what He has shown you.

The Bible tells us to “shout to God with the voice of triumph!” (Psalm 47:1, NKJV). Try shouting to the Lord as loud as you can. Imagine you're watching your favorite team, and it's about to score. Now apply that same level of enthusiasm to your shout of praise to the Lord.

My Daily Surrender

How do you feel when your plans are changed at the last minute? Are you sometimes tempted to grumble or be uncooperative if your pastor or worship leader feels led to go in a different direction right in the middle of a worship service? What about in other areas of your everyday life? What is your reaction to changes in general?

Write a prayer asking God to help you trust Him and surrender to His work of bending and shaping you into His image. Ask Him to increase your spiritual flexibility.

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[1]     This material is taken from DeWayne Moore's book, Pure Praise (Loveland: CO: Group Publishing, 2009, 77-84.