1. Ministerial Association of the General Conference
ELDER’S TRAINING SEMINAR
Based on the Elder’s Handbook
Ministerial Association of the General Conference

2. The Elder and
the Worship
Service
Chapter 7

3. The Elder and the Worship Service
Many churches have used about the same order of service, made the same announcements, sung the same songs, prayed the same type of prayers year after year, decade after decade.
As worship leaders, we should respect differences in worship style when they result from differences in existing cultures, but we tend to be to fearful of adapting our worship to contemporary changes in society.

4. Purpose of Worship Worship is encountering with God.
Christian worship is focused upon God.
“The whispering and laughing and talking which
might be without sin in a common business
place should find no sanction in the house
where God is worshiped.”
Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 492

5. Purpose of Worship Worship includes adoration.
Expressed through singing and prayer.
It affirms God’s goodness, recognizes His
worthiness and reverences His presence.

6. Purpose of Worship Worship includes proclamation.
Worship is a time for the proclamation of God’s Word.
Worship includes renewal.
It should result on renewal. It involves reflection, prayer, and meditation. It is a time of repentance.
It is a time to experience wholeness and peace in Jesus.

7. Purpose of Worship Worship includes fellowship.
Sharing together in public worship gives strength to personal Christian development.
Worship includes participation.
Participation could include singing, prayer, giving, scripture reading or a sharing time.
Remembering anniversaries, birthdays, and other special event is another way to show members that they are important to the church family.

8. Purpose of Worship Worship deserves planning.
Successful worship does not just happen.
The service must not become mere routine.
The worship service involves the coordination of the activities and talents of many people and therefore must be well planned.

9. Parts of Worship Music Announcements: Be positive, use the bulletin.
Call to worship: Bring people into a worshipful attitude.
Prayer: Speaking to God on behalf of the people.
Offering: Teaching self-denial, sacrifice and trust.

10. Parts of Worship Ministry to children Scripture reading
Public testimony
Congregational participation: Singing, litany.

11. Parts of Worship Prayer: Address to God. Praise. Repentance.
Dedication.
General intercession.
Specific intercession.
Conclusion.
“One or two minutes is long enough for any ordinary prayer”. (Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 581)

12. Order of Worship Suggestive Sample Worship Formats: A. Longer Format
Prelude
Introit
Call to worship
Doxology
Invocation
Hymn of praise
Prayer
Offering
Scripture reading
Music
Sermon
Hymn of dedication
Benediction
Postlude
B. Shorter Format
Introit
Hymn
Prayer
Offering
Sermon
Benediction

13. Preaching is both traditionally and purposely central to
8 Rules for effective preaching
Know Christ personally.
Preach biblically.
Preach relevantly.
4. Preach positively.
Preaching is both traditionally and purposely central to
Adventist worship.

14. Preaching Prepare early. Organize logically. Speak clearly.
Plan annually.
Elders, as well as pastors, are shepherds
and the principal work of shepherd
is to feed the flock.