Worship revisited – part 3

And finally – a few more examples …

• Bible Study

There are some who love to get to the nitty-gritty of God’s Word. We all know these people. Well it’s time to celebrate these people, because surely God has a plan to use them to bless the whole congregation?

Of course, we can ship them off to a midweek meeting where they can wrestle with Scripture with their chums to their hearts content. Or we can say to them, what has God said to you through your study? Please tell us. This latter option sounds like a good one, so, if the time is right, give them a separate room during a service to wrestle over some Scripture. Perhaps someone has given this Scripture as a word of knowledge at the beginning of the service, so wouldn’t it be great to have a small hit-squad skilled in Hebrew and Greek hermeneutics to explore further and then tell the rest of us, in ways that all can understand.

• Testimony

There should always be time for this, particularly if God has spoken to someone during the service. A testimony can impact more lives than just the one. If someone is shy or reticent then perhaps it can be written on the flip chart?

• Conversation/fellowship

Sometimes God can bring together the most unlikely combinations. We must try and conquer our shyness and natural British reticence and allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit.

• Israel

The liturgy in the Appendix of “Hebraic Church” is an important one. It is suggested that Hebraic Church should devote a complete service to this, or similar, at least once in its lifetime. There are issues here that can affect individuals and can lead to changes of heart or repentance, which, of course, is a good thing. If a fellowship has issues with the Jewish People, or consciously avoids the subject, then they have a serious issue with God. If you didn’t know this before, then you know it now.

• Communion

Stripped right down this is the partaking of bread (preferably unleavened) and wine (or fruit juice) in remembrance of Jesus. This should simply consist of some bread and wine on a table for individuals to prayerfully partake of, either individually or with someone else.

• Service

Ministering to each other, either practically, emotionally or spiritually, is a celebration of our Godly relationship with each other within the Body of Christ. Suggestions in this category can encompass foot washing, prayer, a listening ear, shoe polishing etc.

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Finally, a short note about leadership. The first shall be last, that’s why this is at the end. My gut feeling is that the best Christian leaders are the most reluctant, as they are chosen by the congregation as true servants of the people. That is nothow the World chooses (or receives) its leaders, but it should be how the Church works. Christian leaders should be enablers, not dictators, however benevolent their motivation. Of course, this is not a call to dump your vicar or jettison your minister, but can be a reminder to those already in leadership. Some of the best services I have been a part of have had the leader speaking from within the people and not, as the early clergy did, at the front of the congregation. It’s just a thought.

This is an extract from the book, Hebraic Church, available for £10 at https://www.sppublishing.com/hebraic-church-101-p.asp

Worship – a new direction?