We live in the age of multiple choices. One way for growing churches to reach people is to create options. Options might include the following:
- Different worship styles under one roof
- Time options for busy people
- Options addressing a particular need (like starting a mission church under your church’s mission for another ethnic group)
A new worship service does two things. First, when people from an existing worship service commit to the new service, it creates space for the existing worship service to grow. Second, the new service will grow as it reaches new people.
What steps can pastors and leaders take to start multiple worship services?
1. Plant the seeds
Think of the parable of the sower of the seeds of the Gospel as Jesus shared it. John MacArthur, in Worship: The Ultimate Priority, says, “Worship is to the Christian life what the mainspring is to a watch, what the engine is to a car.” Worship services come in a variety of styles to meet various needs. Sow seeds by talking to other church leaders.
2. Establish the need
The needs for a new worship service are many: the church is at 80% capacity of its existing service(s); demographics in your community show a segment of the population is not being reached for Christ; finally, to expand the church to reach people for Christ. The real need must be established.
3. State the plan: prayer and purpose
Once the need is established, ask the church to pray for God’s direction and leadership. State the purpose of the new worship service and its style, another traditional, a contemporary, or another style of service. Franklin Segler, in Christian Worship, says, “Worship is basically a person-centered experience. It is communion between persons, God and man.” The purpose is to focus on persons worshipping God.
4. Communicate the vision
Communicate the vision of the new worship service. Explain to the church the style of preaching and worship. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in Preaching and Preachers says that in worship and preaching “a living exchange” takes place between God and people. Make sure the vision is Biblical, kingdom focused, pleasing to God, and outreach oriented.
5. Recruit the leaders and workers
Next, recruit greeters, worship leaders, Bible study leaders, nursery workers, and other lay ministers to serve. You might even ask present worshipers in your church to attend the new service in addition to their regular one to assist in the mission and outreach of the new service.
6. Hold a pre-meeting
The pastor should lead all the persons involved in the new worship service in a meeting to remind them of the great commission, the stated purpose, the outreach orientation, and the focus upon on Christ.
7. Set the start date and time
In the meeting, share the start date and time. By then, the prayer, promotion, and excitement have grown. The start date and time climax the excitement of what God will do in future days.
8. Watch God work
Excitement comes from joining God in his work and watching him work as lives, families, singles, and others are transformed by God’s glory. God’s work is the most exciting, exhilarating place a person could ever be!
