Planning and Leading Services
All church gatherings will include certain elements, but background, culture, size, and biblical principles will guide their format and order.
This article is part of The Pastor's Handbook. To learn more about the series, and how to use this resource effectively, please read our introduction.
The scriptures presume that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will gather together regularly. We are warned against failing to do so (Hebrews 10:25).
The inherited pattern is weekly and the day for gathering is Sunday (see 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10).
Our gatherings have both a vertical and horizontal dimension.
The Bible doesn’t provide anything resembling an “order of service”, and as a fellowship of independent churches, FIEC does not have a set book of liturgy like the Anglican Book of Common prayer.
Every individual and each local church will have been influenced by their particular background, various theological traditions and developing trends. Content matters more than form, but the format of our services should be informed and shaped by scriptural principles.
All must beware of vain worship based on human tradition rather than the Word of God (Mark 7:6-8).
Basic principles
Various factors will have an impact on what is included or excluded from a service. For example:
- The size of congregation may make contributions from the congregation either practical or impractical.
- Whether children are “in” for the whole of the service or only part of it may shape how things are expressed or done.
- The cultural diversity of a congregation may determine the style of music.
Principles can be deduced from scripture about what is appropriate when Christians gather together.
God-centred
The right starting point should be our triune God, who he is, what he is like, what he has done, and what he does. We are wise to start with God, not man.
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under his care. (Psalm 95:6-7)
Bible-based
The reading, teaching, and preaching of God’s word should be at the heart of all we do and shape all we do.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16)
Christ-focussed
Our Lord Jesus Christ and his good news is foundational to all we are and all we do. His atoning work on the cross, his resurrection, his ascension, his return, and the richness of the salvation that is ours in him will be themes we remember, delight in, and declare.
And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. (Colossians 1:18)
Spirit-enabled
We are dependent upon the Spirit for anything that is good and pleasing to God.
‘Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.’ (John 4:23-24)
People-edifying
Our services glorify God when they edify, strengthen, encourage, and comfort the flock and do people good.
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. (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Fitting and orderly
God is a God of order, not chaos. Chaos is not loving or God-honouring. This does not, however, mean everything has to be perfect or straight-jacketed.
Wise preparation allows for flexibility, appropriate participation, and responding to the unexpected.
But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. (1 Corinthians 14:40)
Lovingly-accessible
The particular make up of the congregation will have an impact on things like the language we use.
For example, if the congregation is made of those for whom English is not their first language, love demands that we make the content of our services as accessible to them as possible.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)
Services will include the following elements:
- The public, teaching and preaching of God’s Word.
- The singing of God’s praise to God and to one another.
- Prayers of adoration, thanksgiving, confession, and intercession.
- Opportunities for “one-anothering”.
- The Lord’s Supper (churches differ as to frequency).
- Baptism (as required).
Practical matters
In planning a service, it could be helpful to think of it being like a bicycle wheel with a hub and spokes.
The hub is the passage from the Bible which is to be read and preached from at that gathering.
The spokes are the other elements of the service. Starting with the scripture passage, each part of the service is like a spoke of the wheel with the truths and themes of the hub passage shaping the choice of songs, the language used in prayer and so on. This helps keeps each service fresh and non-formulaic.
Some practical pointers:
Prepare prayerfully
We are helping people to draw near to God through the Lord Jesus and to hear his word. It is both a great privilege and a solemn responsibly.
It warrants prayerful preparation and appropriate time.
Consider carefully
Consider how to call people to worship at the start of the service.
Consider the order you will follow.
Consider who else you might involve in the service.
Choose songs thoughtfully
Some have found the acronym BUSLA helpful as a guide in choosing suitable songs for congregational singing:
- B. Is it Biblical?
- Does it have words that are unbiblical and therefore unhelpful?
- U. Is it Understandable?
- Does it use language that is hard, if not impossible, to understand?
- S. Is it Singable?
- Is it tricky to match the words to the music? Or is the tune too difficult?
- L. Is it Lyrical?
- With words that have some poetic beauty?
- A. is it Appropriate?
- Does it fit the theme of the message being preached? Is it age-appropriate? Does its match the mood of the teaching or occasion?
Pray corporately
While it is important to be natural in the way we pray, we need to remember that we are leading others in public prayer.
We are not letting them listen in to our private prayer. Rather we are leading in together prayers to which we want the congregation to say “Amen”. It is, therefore, appropriate to use the plural language of “we/us”, rather than “I/ my”.
To keep our prayers focussed and clear, it is also good to avoid the repetition of filler words like “we pray” or “we ask” or “just” or “really”. This will help others to engage with our prayers and not be distracted.
Some write out their prayers in full, others note down headings. It can be helpful to use a particular verse to shape our public prayers. It keeps our language fresh and models praying in response to God’s word.
It can also be helpful to ask others to let us know if we have any unhelpful, distracting, or repetitive habits in our public praying.
Delegate wisely
It is good to involve others in various parts of the service, for example reading the scriptures or intercessory prayer.
Some may delegate the choice of songs to others, for example the music leader. In this case, take care to discuss the theme and flow of the service with the music leader, considering the hub and spokes theory above.
Those who delegate wisely seek to share the principles being followed, give clear instruction as to what is expected, and offer gentle and thoughtful feedback to help those taking part to contribute more effectively next time.
Communicate lovingly
Look up.
Speak up.
Avoid lowering your voice at the end of sentences.
Give clear instructions about standing and sitting.
Avoid jargon and think about how you will be heard.
Think about the person who may be in church for the first time.
Think practically
The layout of a room or hall can impact how people see and hear what is going on.
- Check the lectern at which you will be standing and where you will place your Bible and notes.
- Check that the PowerPoint is in the right order and without distracting spelling mistakes.
- Check that your microphone has enough charge for the whole service.
- Check how anyone else taking part will be amplified.
A suggested framework
The template below is intended only as an example of how the principles above might be applied in practice.
Each situation is different but certain elements will always be included: sung praise, prayer, scripture reading, and preaching. There might be a place for creedal declarations and responsive prayers.
Sometimes it might be good to have the sermon earlier, allowing more time for praise, reflection, and prayer in response.
Don't forget, C H Spurgeon advised:
“In order to prevent custom and routine being enthroned among us, it will be well to vary the order of service as much as possible.”
Welcome
Introductory verse(s) of Scripture
Possibly a “together” reading of part of a Psalm.
Be brief at this point. Don’t preach!
Songs of praise
To lift minds and hearts to God.
Prayer
Praising God, confessing sin, and seeking God’s help. This might include the Lord’s Prayer.
Children’s talk
An opportunity for the pastor to engage with and teach the little ones.
Children’s Song / or other song
Children leave for their groups
It would be good to pray for them and their teachers before or as they go.
Notices
It is best if these are kept as brief as possible.
Bible reading
Intercessory Prayers
This is something that others can be asked to do, but also good for pastors to do regularly. Good to include praying for our country, our world, and the work of the gospel throughout the world.
Song
To prepare to hear the preacher.
Sermon/message
Song
To reinforce or reflect on the Bible teaching.
