Quality Worship in Smaller Churches

PALCON WORSHOP 2010
“Quality Corporate Worship in Smaller Churches”
Introduction to Workshop ‐ The Small Church is the Today’s Church
As a pastor have you ever been the only person who could preach the sermon and lead the
congregational singing all in the same service. In addition to this…your wife was the only one
who could play the offertory, sing the special, and teach the Sunday School Class. Then you are
probably the pastor of a small church.
Smaller congregations —whether they have 15 or 75 worshipers—have some interesting
challenges. They also have wonderful strengths and opportunities. First, smaller congregations
share a strong sense of community. Everyone knows everyone else. Years of hearing one
another’s joys and concerns through prayer and coffee-hour talk build a strong bond between
members of the congregation. When regular attendees know each other, they notice visitors—
and they can welcome and include them to the extent the visitors feel comfortable.
Second, small congregations tend to run on lay involvement. They don’t have large staffs. In
order to keep things running, many members of the congregation need to be involved. Whether
that involvement means greeting at the door or leading worship, it feeds the sense of community
and gets everyone invested in the future of the church.
Third, smaller congregations are characterized by a sense of authenticity. There’s not much to
hide behind when worshiping in a group of 40 as opposed to 400. Emotions are more obvious—
both happy and sad. Mistakes are more obvious too. The resulting worship tends to be open and
honest. No one expects polished presentations in worship—they know how much is being done
by lay people on a shoestring. This is not to say that smaller congregations can’t have excellent
services with wonderful music and profound sermons—rather that the goal is not presentation
but authenticity.
Fourth, smaller congregations have the luxury of flexibility. There aren’t as many people to
persuade when experimenting with something new. In addition, the combined sense of
community and authenticity often makes people willing to try new things—not all at once,
perhaps, but still willing. As my pastor says, it’s much easier to turn a small speedboat than a
huge coal freighter—and then turn it back again if you need to.
PLANNING THE WORSHIP SERVICE
Keys to making your service flow.
Planning ahead is the key to creating better flow. (Short Term/Long Term)
Themes are an option. (Can focus your service planning but not essential.)

Changing the service order up every week can be good and not so good.
Understand the importance of ENGAGEMENT
Allow room for the Holy Spirit to work in your service. (Large Church Struggle)
Understand that the Senior Pastor is the permission giver.
Think through when the congregation is going to be asked to sit.
Try to visualize the flow of the service in your planning.
Note if you have congregation standing for extended amounts of time
Watch not to have congregation stand for long solos.
Music planning and implementation in Worship
Take note of Keys - How many Stops, Key Changes, Rhythm Patterns
Padding is an important part of atmosphere and flow
Use soloist to start a song and then as congregation comes in..soloist continues to adlib
Layer your instruments….even if you only have one
Use extended rhythm instruments.
QUESTIONS IN REGARDS MUSIC IN WORSHIP
How can I blend hymns and choruses together without being eclectic?
Is there an easy way to teach my pianist how to pad during prayer?
What can I do if I really don’t have any good singers or instrumentalists?
What is more important, the spirit of worship or the presentation of our worship music?
When it comes to instrumental accompaniment, how should the melody of the song be treated?
When it comes to playing a prayer pad, how should the melody be treated?
What are some ways I can more successfully work with my volunteer worship leader?
As a volunteer worship leader, what are the keys to working with my senior pastor?
How can I better connect and communicate with my worship leader?
I don’t have a worship leader or anyone who can lead the congregation, so I have to do it. Do
you have any suggestions for me?
I feel our music is more geared toward my congregation as opposed to reaching the
unchurched. Can you help me with finding a good balance here.

I actually have enough people who play instruments to have a small orchestra or band, but I
don’t know where to go and get music for them. Can you direct me in this regard.
Should we sing only the songs that I like or should I learn the songs that really connect with my
congregation?
My church really likes the hymns. How can I include the hymns in a quality way.
How important is it for everyone on the platform to be living a lifestyle of worship?
I have a drummer who comes to my church but is not a Christian. Should I invite him to play
even though he has not accepted Christ? Also, would you treat this situation different if we were
talking about a vocal soloist or ensemble member?
If I only have one person who plays an instrument other than piano, what are some ways I can
use him in worship?
How fast should I push the envelope in regards to contemporary music and what are some of the
warning signs that I should be looking for if I am pushing it too fast?
IDEAS FOR HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL EMPHASIS
CHRISTMAS
Totally Christmas (Come experience all the senses of Christmas.) - UNIVERSAL EVENT
Simple Live Manger Scene (Possibly just Mary and Joseph)
Charles Dickens Singers
Hot Cider on rolling cart in parking lot
Hundreds of Homemade Cookies
Scent of Christmas (Cinnamon Sticks in Crock Pots)
Children’s Bell Choir
Adult Bell Choir
Guest Harpist on Platform (or other special instrumentalist) - Decorate this Stage
Skits
Short Christmas Videos
Make Video of Personal Christmas Stories (Favorite Christmas)
Worship Team or Choir - Red, White, Black
Christmas Trees with Lights
Large Gift/Manger Scene
Christmas Slides on Screen as People Arrive
Special Music

PATRIOTIC
Salute to the Armed Forces (Honor Service Personnel)
Reenact of Iwogima
Red, White, Blue Background
Memorial Flags
Honor Police Department (Gifts/Introduce Individual)
Color Guard or One Soldier to Bring in Colors
Honor a Wounded in Action Personnel
Slide Show of Servicemen and Service ladies past and present (Offertory)
Confetti Canons Grand Finale
EASTER
Living Cross
Building Mountains for Pennies
2” Masking Tape
Grocery Bags
Cheap Flat Black
Scissors
Entire Church Event
Fake Greenery
CARDBOARD TESTIMONIES
RESOURCES TO CONSIDER
Music Idea Kit – Volume 2
Paul Baloche DVDs
Springdale CDs
Living Cross DVDs
QUESTION AND ANSWER TIME