Come, Now is the Time to Worship NCD - Inspiring Worship

Mission Moment What is “inspiring worship?” What is “inspiring worship?”

NCD - Inspiring Worship Key Question: Is the worship service a moving, life-changing experience – an encounter with God? Key Question: Is the worship service a moving, life-changing experience – an encounter with God? Worship is the place where the sacred and the profane collide. Worship is the place where the sacred and the profane collide. Were we changed in worship? Were we changed in worship? Were we empowered, enlightened, energized – or just entertained in worship? Were we empowered, enlightened, energized – or just entertained in worship? When is GOOD ENOUGH not GOOD ENOUGH? When is GOOD ENOUGH not GOOD ENOUGH? When it describes the quality of our worship! When it describes the quality of our worship!

Inspiring Worship Worship that results in times of joyous exultation and times of quiet reverence. Worship that results in times of joyous exultation and times of quiet reverence. Not driven/defined by a particular style, but rather, the shared experience of God’s awesome presence Not driven/defined by a particular style, but rather, the shared experience of God’s awesome presence Worship may target Christians or non-Christians, the style may be liturgical or free, the language may be “churchy” or “secular” – it makes no difference for church growth. Worship may target Christians or non-Christians, the style may be liturgical or free, the language may be “churchy” or “secular” – it makes no difference for church growth. What does matter is whether worshipers feel that they have encountered God during the worship service. What does matter is whether worshipers feel that they have encountered God during the worship service.

The NCD Survey Measures: Feelings of being inspired Feelings of being inspired Care for children Care for children Life transforming preaching Life transforming preaching Visitor friendly Visitor friendly God-centered and celebration music God-centered and celebration music

Caution!!! You have not been called just to do worship. You have been called to be a church that worships as part of its entire missional identity. You have not been called just to do worship. You have been called to be a church that worships as part of its entire missional identity. Our Lutheran traditional bias is that worship is the visible (gathered) church, so we must start there. Our Lutheran traditional bias is that worship is the visible (gathered) church, so we must start there. How does worship “serve” your mission and reflect your core values? How does worship “serve” your mission and reflect your core values? Where does your mission and values surface in worship? Where does your mission and values surface in worship?

The Heart of Worship Know who you are trying to reach Know who you are trying to reach Know the context of your ministry Know the context of your ministry How will worship and Mission interact? How will worship and Mission interact? “Honor” your resources and gifts “Honor” your resources and gifts You never get a second chance to make a first impression - don’t start something new until you are ready to make a good first impression You never get a second chance to make a first impression - don’t start something new until you are ready to make a good first impression

Inspiring Worship is… …Fun! …Fun! People who attend inspiring worship services unanimously declare that the church service is a life-changing experience and fun. People who attend inspiring worship services unanimously declare that the church service is a life-changing experience and fun. When worship is inspiring, it draws people to the services "all by itself." When worship is inspiring, it draws people to the services "all by itself."

Inspiring Worship So what are you doing to create worship that is inspiring? So what are you doing to create worship that is inspiring? How’s it going for you? How’s it going for you? What’s going well? What’s going well? What can you celebrate? What can you celebrate? Where are the challenges – opportunities? Where are the challenges – opportunities? What are your concerns? What are your concerns? What are your hopes? Visions for worship? What are your hopes? Visions for worship?