Worship Evaluation Team Report What is our brand?
so that all experience the love of Jesus Christ I believe the merciful God regards the lives and tempers of men more than their ideas. I believe he respects the goodness of the heart rather than the clearness of the head; and that if the heart of a man be filled (by the grace of God, and the power of his Spirit) with the humble, gentle, patient love of God and man, God will not cast him into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels because his ideas are not clear, or because his conceptions are confused. -John Wesley Sermon #125: On Living Without God
Purpose To review the current worship service and context including the review of the music, hospitality, sermon, worship style, and technology needed to create a missionally relevant and life applicable worship experience for both the churched and unchurched
In a Nutshell Worship as an experience To praise God To connect the mission field, inside and outside the church, to the love of Jesus Christ If the worship experience engages all senses, there is a better chance of participants experiencing the love of Jesus Christ.
Factors to Consider Study the Mission Field demographics Population within 1 mile Two largest representative groups Blue Collar Comfort (approx. 20%) Soulful Spender (approx. 17%) Still need to decide on a target group
Factors to Consider Site Visits Attended three different churches Celebration Center in Sedalia Grace UMC in Lee s Summit Harrisonville UMC in Harrisonville
Site Visit Tool and Checklist Mission Sensitivity: What do potential guests see in your church? dash-board look website Mission Insite findings What is the primary mission target of this congregation? Is there a disconnect?
Site Visit Tool and Checklist Radical Hospitality the 30 minutes before Accessibility Could you find the church and entrances? Relationship Connections Did you feel welcomed? Quality and Choice Was signage, worship guide clear? Did food provide quality and range of choice?
Site Visit Tool and Checklist Life-shaping Worship: going way beyond the false dichotomies of traditional and contemporary! Mission targeted worship Music style Use of music as a tool Liturgical style Image driven Audio
Site Visit Tool and Checklist Mentoring Possibilities and Discipleship Pathway Opportunities the 30 minutes after Time for follow up Caring for each other Guest follow up plan Life applications
Findings and Recommendations
Radical Hospitality Short Term Mid Term Long Term Create a hosting team and provide training 24/7 music experience inside and outside the church walls Develop a way to greet guests, have information and/or refreshments available at all entrances allow refreshments in the sanctuary Create a team to address signage needs interior and exterior
Life Shaping Worship Short Term Mid Term Long Term Develop the concept of a worship experience vs. a worship service (a heart-attitude change) Continue movement toward current Christian music including all musical groups Under the direction of the worship leader, the worship experience will include many different people children, youth, adults. (a new definition of participation in worship) Need to use worship software differently with more visuals provide training for media team Worship content focused on perceived needs and traits in our mission field expanded use of sensory components Provide opportunities for children and youth to participate in worship Sunday morning publication that includes next discipleship steps Need to provide training for sound/video system (sound board, microphones, etc.) Update the chancel area tie in the chancel area décor with the message or theme If existing sound/video system proves subpar, purchased up to date equipment
Discipleship Opportunities Short Term Mid Term Create a prayer team with the mission of uplifting prayer as a major focus on all areas of the church 1. Pray the space 2. Prayer and connection in the worship experience (hand holding) 3. Teach instant prayer Long Term Relocate guest parking to the east side of the building and repurpose front parking spots to be a mission-oriented space (soul oasis) Decorate the rooms and walls with vinyl scriptures be immersed in God s word Create a serenity space with seating and decoration suitable for prayer Develop a way to identify guests from Blue Cards, greet them, and follow up
So Now What? We, as the Worship Evaluation Team, have been blessed by this process. It has been an invigorating process filled with God moments. As Christians we are called to mirror that process with all in our mission field inside and outside the walls of our church. Recommendations supported by FIAT and carried out by WDT
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