Finally, we come together for a specific purpose. After a week when we’ve been tempted to worship money, relationships, control, sensuality and ourselves, a call to worship God wakes us up to the fact that we are sojourners and exiles in this world (1 Peter 2:11), that there is one true God, that He deserves to be exalted in our minds, hearts and wills, that He calls us together so that we might build each other up, and that that’s what we’ve gathered to do. As Bryan Chapell writes in his excellent book Christ-Centered Worship:
With a scriptural Call to Worship, God invites us by Hus Word to join the worship of the ages and angels. God does not simply invite us to a party of friends, or a lecture on religion, or a concert of sacred music—He invites us into the presence of the King of the Universe before whom all creation will bow and for whom all heaven now sings (p. 160).
Finding the Right Scriptures
We typically use verses that are brief and immediately understandable, like Ps. 111:1-2 or Ps. 95:1-3. The Psalms are a common source for a call to worship, but we use other passages as well, including Is. 55:1, Phil. 2:9-11, Is. 35:3-6 and Lam. 3:22-23. It’s wise to use Scriptures that not only exhort us to worship God, but give a reason why. It can be helpful to briefly comment on the call to worship, but it shouldn’t require a teaching. And psalms calling for judgment on the wicked may not stir your congregation to faith. The topic of the call to worship can be drawn from the previous week’s sermon/theme, point towards the message that’s going to be preached that day, or simply be a broader exhortation. We always make sure that the first song flows thematically out of the call to worship.
A Place for Variety
The call to worship can be done by a senior pastor, another pastor or the lead musician. This past Sunday, we had the whole congregation read Psalm 33:1-5. Whoever does it, it should be done confidently, passionately and audibly. Projecting the call to worship or printing it in the bulletin can emphasize its importance. At times we’ve also had a musical call to worship, using songs like “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “10,000 Reasons” or “Praise to the Lord the Almighty” that are rooted in Scripture.
What if No One Is There?
A typical church has about half its members there when the meeting actually starts. We want to do everything we can to help people see that both the church and they themselves are affected negatively when they’re not present at the call to worship. Regular reminders can help, whether from the lead musician, service leader or pastor. We’ll also typically have the band play briefly before the actual call to worship, just to alert people that the meeting is about to start.
It can take time to help people see the importance of being there at the start of the meeting, but it’s worth the effort. Every moment God’s people gather together in his presence can be of eternal significance. Let’s not waste them.
