Assisting Minister Guide

 

Thank you for helping lead worship today. While the Holy Spirit will bless your work, the Holy Spirit also has more to work with when you prepare and execute to the best of your ability. Effective worship leadership is not good performance, however. Rather, effective worship leadership brings God’s people into an experiential relationship with God in the worship event of word and sacrament. The people are to notice God not the worship leaders. Please consider:

 

  1. Preview. Prepare all the parts you will be leading. Clarify vocabulary, positioning, and timing issues that concern you. Bulletins and worship folders are available at the church office by Friday noon.

 

  1. Arrival. Begin robing, securing microphone, checking scripture citations in pulpit Bible, et. al. 20-30 minutes before service. Do you want water? Are there any special parts of the service today?  Make sure the alb (robe) you select fits comfortably and well, and be careful to manage the cincture (rope belt) knot so that it does not get snagged on worship furnishings during the service.

 

  1. Welcoming the Community. It is ‘beach community’ tradition to be fashionably late, making starting worship punctually quite challenging. Be present on the patio area before worship to encourage people to enter the sanctuary. God is very important to us, and so starting on time is a respectful gesture, especially when ending on time is critical to those with full calendars.

 

  1. Exude Confidence. If the community is satisfied you are prepared and competent, they will more easily turn their attention to God. Your competence will help keep peoples’ hearts and minds on Christ Jesus—not you!

 

  1. Anticipate. Be in position for your next role. Don’t take your position at the conclusion of the last movement. Be in place. The “followers” should not have to wait for the leader to lead.  Prepare, plan, and anticipate, but don't be afraid that you may make a mistake—you will, and it will still be okay!

 

  1. Baptismal Font Liturgy. The pouring of the water should be dynamic and large. Grand gestures feel awkward, but you also need to communicate to people 50 feet away.

 

  1. Announcing Scripture. The Old/New Testament Scripture comes to us from [book].  The citation is listed in the bulletin so it is not necessary to state it.
  2. Reading Scripture. Make eye contact before you read; and if possible, make eye contact at strategic times during the reading.  Read with feeling; try to express the meaning of the reading

·        Prepare in advance by reading the lessons over aloud multiple times

·        Work on your reading to get an appropriate tone and inflection

·        Prepare, Plan, and Practice, Practice, Practice…                       

 

  1. Concluding Scripture.  Do not say “here ends the reading” which indicates the event is over or that we can put it behind us. Instead, we want to communicate that we are turning God’s Word loose in the community. Let the scripture speak for itself. Since all the scripture is printed in the bulletin, people will know when the reading is concluded. Simply pause at the end of the reading and step discreetly away from the pulpit. Salutations such as “Word of the Lord” come off as secret phrases to our guests and visitors who may not be familiar with liturgical worship. When people don’t know, they feel guilty because they know they should know. And they would know if they came to church. We want to celebrate that they have come today!

 

  1. Prayers of the People. The most important aspect of leading Prayers of the People is to create space and time for people to pray. A 10-second pause feels like 10 minutes, but for the person praying, 10 seconds is barely an opportunity to get started. Count to yourself: 1, 2, 3, …, 10. This is one time in the service where slowing down is appropriate, serving the worship event well.

 

  1. Communion Words. “This is the body of Christ given for you.”

            “This is the blood of Christ shed for you.”

 

Be genuine and in-the-moment; Make eye contact—you are giving away Christ directly to each person, one at a time. Smile—this is a feast of victory for our God!

 

  1. Communion Blessing for Non-Communicants. On occasion you may be asked to offer a blessing to a non-communing adult or child. Not all people are baptized, so the best is something on the order of: “Receive the sign of the cross on your forehead as a reminder that Christ died and lives for you!”

 

  1. Sending the People. Please join the pastor in salutations at the conclusion of the service. Make a special point to acknowledge visitors, thanking them for their presence and inviting them to return.
  2. Be Flexible.  Be sensitive to last minute instructions from the Pastor; things change.