WORSHIP EXPERIENCE
UNFOCUSED WORSHIP – (COLUMBUS EAST – NOV. 2015)
The current worship style seems to be an attempt to please everyone and in doing so pleases no one.
DESIGNING WORSHIP THAT CONNECTS
The pastor and Worship chair, in consultation with the coach, will establish a team to work in the area of worship of 5-6 people by April 1, 2016. This team is to:
●Train all people who will operate the respective equipment involved in worship
●Study the Mystery Guest Report to determine action steps for connection with desired demographic
●Visit other churches that are connecting to the desired demographic (churches of various sizes)
●Attend a worship planning workshop (e.g. Center for Congregations)
●Institute and implement worship planning process for pastor, staff, and laity
The pastor and Worship chair, in consultation with the coach, will establish a hospitality group of 5-6 people by April 1, 2016. The coach will lead a “Hospitality” Workshop based on the book “Fusion” by Nelson Searcy to discern the necessary components of an effective system that continually tracks and connects with guests so that they become integrated into faith and the church. The hospitality group will design and implement the church’s hospitality to guests beyond the first-time visit, and present it to the Administrative Council by October 1, 2016.
STRUGGLE OVER WORSHIP IDENTITY – (EVANSVILLE CENTRAL – FEB. 2015)
Central UMC is to be commended for trying multiple approaches to offering an alternate worship gathering that appeals to a different demographic from the majority of the existing congregation who prefer a traditional worship style. The current Casual Worship gathering has failed to identify a target audience. The service remains small, seems to be under promoted and does not appear to have the prayers, support and good will of the larger congregation. Further refinement and support from the entire congregation, can turn the Casual Service from a source of conflict to a ministry strength offered to the community.
DESIGN ALTERNATIVE WORSHIP EXPERIENCE TO FIT THE VISION AND VALUES
- A worship design team of no more than seven persons and that includes Pastor Kevin, will be formed after the discernment of the church’s new vision and values to take a global look at worship and schedule issues on Sunday morning. The worship design team will make recommendations regarding the Sunday schedule of worship and style of the alternative worship experience offered at Central UMC.
- The worship design team shall visit at least 3 congregations doing contemporary worship well to gain a clearer vision of how alternative worship might be strengthened at Central UMC.
- In order for the Casual Worship service to better connect with the mission field, the team will arrange to bring in a recognized worship consultant, such as Jason Moore, to do a workshop on “How to Launch a New Worship Service,” with the idea of a re-launch of the Casual Worship service. The workshop should help the Pastor and leaders of the congregation consider the overall strategy for the service, including:
1)Environment & aesthetics
2)A connection plan with new people
3)Impact of the overall Sunday schedule
4)Staffing of worship leadership (paid and unpaid)
5)Publication and marketing
6)Volunteer recruitment
- Pastor Kevin will take the entire congregation through a preaching/teaching series on worship.
- Prior to the implementation of any changes, the team will communicate to the Church Council and then to the congregation the fruitful objectives and rationale for the changes. These recommendations will be made by September 1, 2015.
WORSHIP THAT DOES NOT CONNECT – (MUNCIE CENTER CHAPEL – SEPT.2015)
The Mystery Guest Worshipper report identified an inconsistent nature of the worship experience, including the hospitality guest components. It was stated that the worship experience has an “older tone to everything that goes on here.” A mystery guest said, “Although everyone seemed to be talking with each other, only one found the time to talk with me.” Intentionality has been given to the new sound and projection system, yet it was expressed that “We’re waiting for training and the final things to be done with the sound system.”
WORSHIP THAT CONNECTS
The pastor and Worship Design chair, in consultation with the coach, will establish a hospitality group of 5-6 people by March 1, 2016. The coach will lead a “Hospitality” Workshop to discern the necessary components of an effective system that continually tracks and connects with guests so that they become integrated into faith and the church. The hospitality group will design and implement the church’s hospitality to guests beyond the first-time visit, and present it to the Ad Board by September 1, 2016.
The pastor and Worship Design chair, in consultation with the coach, will establish a team of 5-6 people to work in the area of worship by March 1, 2016.
This team is to:
- Study the Mystery Guest Report to determine action steps for connection with desired demographic
- Visit other churches that are connecting to the desired demographic (churches of various sizes)
- Attend a worship planning workshop (e.g., Center for Congregations)
- Institute and implement worship planning process for pastor, staff, and laity
- Train all people who will operate the respective equipment involved in worship