I have always thought that order in worship is important . . . 2 Chronicles 35:16 seals the deal for me.
16 Everything went without a hitch in the worship of God that day as they celebrated the Passover and the offering of the Whole-Burnt-Offering on the Altar of God. It went just as Josiah had ordered.
Josiah gave instructions according to God’s law set out in Leviticus about how to prepare the meals of worship and the offerings at the temple. The story in 2 Chronicles 35 tells us that “Everything went without a hitch in the worship of God that day . . .” It went just as Josiah had ordered. On top of that, it all went down in the temple that God instructed David to build, and Solomon actually completed the final construction.
When we plan services for Sunday mornings we are very particular in how we do it. Processes are in place to ensure we plan far enough ahead to give us time to be creative and inventive. I have a board in my office with index cards to represent elements so we can pre-plan services before we go to the next step. This helps us plan ahead, contact appropriate band or production volunteers for specific items.
Case in point: The incredible stage design for Christmas was in the hopper over 6 months ago. We’ve been brewing on it and it is currently under construction. The Production and Worship teams have been reviewing the design to think of creative ways it can be used not just as “eye-candy” but integrated into the service to create fun, inspiring and meaningful moments. We are currently recruiting volunteers for some really awesome feats of musical and visual delight!
We also use tools like PCO to help us see the order as it will appear on Sunday’s. This is hte finishing touch . . . it helps us catch moments that might not be the best flow for worship, and it also helps us determine the best place for logistical items, such as announcements or welcomes. The most important thing to remember about following instructions when it comes to order of worship is that the leadership spends time praying and asking God what He wants to see in the flow of the service. So when we create elements or items that need attention to detail we expect everyone to follow those instructions, not because “We said so”, but because we are following God’s instructions in the flow of worship for that day.
Do I think God really cares about the details? Umm, read about the instructions for building the temple and let me know what you think.
If God is that concerned with the details then so should we. It reflects our reverence towards his will and what He is wanting to accomplish through us. God does not need a “house built with human hands”, nor does he need human hands to do His work. But the bible is clear that he created us to do “good works” so whatever you are asked to do as a servant of God, according to your skill set and gifting, do it with reverence, awe and gratitude towards God. Not to please man, or gain the favor of man, this is idolatry and sin.
I’m thankful for the tools that allow us to be creative, to plan ahead and to give God our best during worship. But I’m also very aware of the fact that it is God who ordains our steps. I want to follow His ways, and as it says in 2 Chronicles 35:16, I desire to see our services go off “without a hitch . . .” not so we look good, but so God is glorified through our best efforts, because He is worthy of our very best.
- KC
