Engaging God in Worship

I have not been a member of a church community on a regular basis for 16 months. I miss the idea of belonging to an every week worshipping community.  But how blessed I feel to be able to have worshiped with so many new friends and to experience some awesome times of worship.

 I started ministry in 1984 leading worship, directing choirs and trying to craft fresh worship experiences.  I still have a deep passion to see people experience God in worship. Every Sunday, whether I’m in a Spanish church, black church, a small church singing out of a hymnal or a blended worship with words on a screen; I still want fellow worshipers to engage God in worship and experience true fellowship with one another.

Here are a few questions that I wish pastors and worship leaders could honestly reflect on every Sunday afternoon (or at least by Monday Evening).  Try it for a few weeks and see what happens.  By the way, I think most people are answering these questions each week in some way or another so we might as well be honest with ourselves regarding the highest act of adoration to God.

1.       Did the worship service have a clear and unified flow?

2.       Were all the transitions smooth?  Did the service flow well?

3.       Was the worship God-centered and bible based?

4.       Did the worship call for a response?  Was there clear application?

5.       Was the environment positive and conducive to worship?

6.       Was there a good balance between celebration and reflection?

7.       Would guests be able to follow the worship service meaningfully?

8.       Would newcomers feel like “visitors” or “guests”?

9.       Did the service relate well to the needs of the worshipers?

10.   Was the congregation fully engaged in what was happening?

11.   Were the worship leaders prepared for their roles?

12.   Evaluate the pace of worship – fast-paced / drag /