ELDER’S TRAINING SEMINAR

Based on the Elder’s Handbook

Ministerial Association of the General Conference

www.ministerialassociation.com
The Elder and
the Worship
Service
Chapter 7
 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.
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
Purpose of Worship
Worship includes adoration.
• Expressed through singing and prayer.
• It affirms God’s goodness, recognizes His
worthiness and reverences His presence.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Parts of Worship

• Ministry to children

• Scripture reading

• Public testimony

• Congregational participation:
Singing, litany.
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)
Order of Worship

Suggestive Sample Worship Formats:

A. Longer Format B. Shorter Format
Prelude Introit
Introit
Hymn
Call to worship
Prayer
Doxology
Invocation Offering
Hymn of praise Sermon
Prayer Benediction
Offering
Scripture reading
Music
Sermon
Hymn of dedication
Benediction
Postlude
Preaching

8 Rules for effective preaching

1. Know Christ personally.

2. Preach biblically.
3. Preach relevantly.
4. Preach positively.

Preaching is both traditionally and purposely central to

Adventist worship.
Preaching

5. Prepare early.
6. Organize logically.
7. Speak clearly.
8. Plan annually.

Elders, as well as pastors, are shepherds

and the principal work of shepherd
is to feed the flock.