Small Church Worship Leading

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Comment by Mark Auty on July 17, 2010 at 7:20pm

Thanks for the encouragement Brenda. We meet in a Presybyterian church in a rural town with a population of about 5,000. Ireland is >90% roman catholic. Despite the knocks taken by the RC church (and in rural areas) in recent years there is a high level of church attendance and most people would consider themselves christian. Most attendees are nominal and there are few evangelical churches. We have been here for 14 years and have got involved in local clubs & societies but I think the general perception of evangelical christians is that we are a sect like the JW's. We come from a evangelical charismatic background but attend the Presbyterian church as it is the only evangelical church in a 15 mile radius of our home.It helps just being able to connect with Christians even if it is in cyberspace! We are also off to a big Christian conference (New Wine) in the UK next week which should recharge the batteries...

Comment by Brenda Hannah on July 17, 2010 at 4:34pm

Well, Mark, it may seem like a missionary outpost, but as small as you are you are a powerful breath of fresh air that some people need. Share some of why you think you are small? Is it because of the area in which you are serving or the culture? Are you meeting in a building vs. a home or temporary environment? Sometimes the more temporary the place is the less likely you will have people of longevity. Tell us a little more about your situation. How can we help you!

Comment by Mark Auty on July 17, 2010 at 9:07am

Wow 150 members is "small"? We have a congregation of around 30, around 15 of which are "active". We feel more like a missionary outpost here in the Republic or Ireland which is why I am glad to have come across this website.

Comment by Brenda Hannah on December 10, 2009 at 10:56pm

Wow, Kelly that is really funny. You know when other churches are insecure about what is going on in their areas that is what they do especially if we are dealing with Religious spirits, we have seen it happen over and over. But just to give some of them the benefit of the doubt that sometimes other leadership just come to encourage you for what you are doing there and go to see if there is something that they can glean from you in. Although there might be a little to it than that in your situation, but there are many pastors in our area on their vacations or taking some time away from their own bodies that they visit other pastors and church in area to be fed, and it is good for them to be ministered too. We always encourage pastors to get outside and view other churches to receive blessings from other perspectives, and also to bless those pastors also.

Let me know how you would like prayer or how we can help you in what you are doing now. It is a lot to intake, just take some time to pray about it and one good way is to start writing down all of the things that you want to happen, and what is actually happening right now in your church body.

We have much of the same issues with "Religeous Spirit" around here too. People are not looking for longevity or relationship with people so much, they are looking for the next best thing. (Signs and Wonders) Know what your DNA is and build on top of that.

I am very excited to see what is going to happen in your neck of the woods. Don't get discouraged. A flower can not grow without being nurtured and with a little Miracle Grow (manure) mixed in and the ones that have the best blooms.

Here is the plus side to things, there could be 5 churches with in a block and still the people will go to the one church that matches their personality and where they personally feel loved and accepted. Not every one will stay obviously and it is not because they did not like you per say, and it is not because you did not do your job, but it is because you are clear about what you want and clear about the vision, and clear about your DNA and build everything around relationships with the Lord, you will be strong and successful and the ones that are serious about your vision will stay and love you in return. Yes, we will talk more. Do you have skype? I have a skype account and we can talk on line if you want. And I will be happy to pray for you.

Brenda

Comment by kelly childers on December 10, 2009 at 9:36pm

Hi Brenda, WOW...lots of stuff...give me a little time to digest all that and we'll talk some more OK? We started at my house almost 3 years ago, and moved to a leased space last year.
Yeah, I try to be aware of and treat each service like it's a room full (I think I do ok with that). This area really seems to have a "religious tradition" thing going on...when we started advertsing, people would drive through on Sunday mornings on the way to their church so they could report on us...LOL! Seriously, I've had Pastor's from other churches tell me they had actually sent people to see how many were attending our service! That could be a real downer...but, I mostly find it funny!
Anyway, I'll read over this some more and "talk" again later! Thanks for the encouragement!
blessings!

Comment by Brenda Hannah on December 10, 2009 at 8:56pm

Kelly, this also goes with worship too and every area of your ministry. Have fun and explore different ideas, and encourage your people take part in that also, as I know that you already do. Here Is one thing that I can not stress enough, is really be aware of those who are coming in looking for position. I am sure that you are very aware of that. Most people in a plant are gung ho because there are many doors open to starting on the ground level. Use your deligation skills very well, and do not do everything yourself, always have partners and staff members that you cast the vision to that will in turn case the vision to others. That is for your own sanity not to take on too much, you do not want to be a one person power house it is not healthy for you or for your church.

Have an awesome week. Let me know how things are going. I just really felt to give you some input, and I hope that I did not over whelm you, I just started typing and that is what came out. LOL

Comment by Brenda Hannah on December 10, 2009 at 7:25pm

Kelly,

I have a question for you? Are you a home church or a small church? Or just meeting in your home to start out?

If you have people calling you for prayer then you are not exactly an outsider so don't minimize who you are by the volume of people or lack of. Don't stress! Your church will grow! It is just a matter of time. Word of mouth sometimes promotes the best church growth.

One of the things that my husband and I tell pastors of small churches is have church just as if there are 500 people in the room, always welcome visitors even if you do not see any in the room, just to practice saying each week. And speak those things as though they were. Format your services just as you would do for a larger church, and the only reason that I say that is because in smaller congregations we tend to make it very casual and sometimes to casual and we can loose focus on why we are there. I am not saying you can not have fun in your services and make it really personal, but we need to know how to draw the line when it comes to starting on time and having service and really looking at who you want to be and what DNA you want to create and what atmosphere that you want to bring and to share. Those things are really important.

Right now is a great time for you to be building your core ministry, and to be honest with you, this is the one and only time you will have to start fresh as you cast the vision, as you grow it just becomes regular maintenance. Does that make sense?

People love structure and expect it. When I said greet the visitors and have a gift already prepared for them even if you do not have any that week. Here is what will happen. The people that are already in your body will see that you take pride and time to honor people that they will bring into the church, and they will know that if they bring a guest that you will honor them.

And remember structuring your services does not mean that you can not allow the Holy Spirit to flow freely, it just means that people and visitors will always know that you take pride in what you are doing and you are serious about what you are doing and also they will know what to expect the next time that they come. Most Visitors will come a lone the first time, but sometimes by the 2 or 3rd time they will almost always bring someone else with them if they like you and want to stay.

Also, people always say they have a home church when they do not want to make a commitment. I always say following praying for whoever it is, that it is very important for them to followup with their home church pastors, or intercessory team, and you can base that on their situation. And then make a conscience effort to say, we are always here to pray for you and if you should ever in the future need a place to call home, we are here for you. That leaves everything open and you have just laid the responsibility in their lap.

One more thing, I know that you only have a few people, but it is really important that lay the foundation for your members right off the bat for childrens ministry and youth ministry and mens and womens fellowships. You do not want to say, we will wait until we get more people because having those things already in place or ready for them to arrive, people will come in and like the idea that you are stable and have the foundation laid in place for them. It is an awesome tool. For example: Have a mens get together for a lunch or dinner somewhere once a month, and have your whole entire church canvas the neighborhoods, and have a free hot dog chips and pop day for children one Sunday after church. But in order to do that you have to have something in place. It is a great faith strategy!

Be encouraged!

Comment by kelly childers on December 10, 2009 at 1:26am

We do well to have a dozen on Sunday mornings. See if this sounds familiar to anyone:
Outsider in a small town (town with very traditional ideas about church) starts a fellowship. They call me want they want someone to pray for them...but everyone already has a "home" church!
I'm not complaining though, do what you can, where your at with what you got!

Comment by Yohan on November 27, 2009 at 12:51pm

Dear
Yohan here
hope you are doing fine by the grace of God,
This is my personal approach and request to all of my old and new friends, sisters,brothers and pastors in Christ Jesus who have the passion and zeal to worship our god in spirit and truth, I invite you for SOW-2010 (Face2Face Ministry)

Face 2 Face School of Worship
GOD IS LOOKING FOR WORSHIPERS... not just believers or attenders, but those who really worship!

Jesus said in John 4 that His Father is seeking worshipers. This is the mission of the WORSHIP SCHOOLS: to help us become the kind of worshipers the Father is seeking .The school is a Holy Spirit-led journey into the heart of the Father. This school is designed to be an experience in God's presence as well as a time of equipping and training. Our goal is to see the worshiper's heart purified while his or her gifts are being refined. All of this takes place in a loving and mentoring family atmosphere.Worship is much more than music, yet music remains a key element to our worship of God .Music often breaks through our defenses that words cannot overcome, and it helps calm our spirits as we approach the Throne of Grace...

WHY A WORSHIP SCHOOL?

Teaching is like planting seeds. If church leaders want to see an increase of faith, or evangelism, or prayer among their people, they will probably teach on faith, or evangelism or prayer. In so doing, they are sowing particular seeds toward a particular harvest.Providing teaching on worship is one of the best things to do in order to see an increase in the experience of worship and God's presence.

A WORSHIP SCHOOL is a well-organized, thoughtful presentation that will penetrate the hearts and minds of those who attend. It will be a great initiation for those who are just beginning the discovery of worship, and it will help give new vision and understanding to the "veteran worshipers."

What makes the FACE TO FACE different?
We have a mandate from God to help raise up a prophetic generation in worship and warfare. We believe that as the Church rises to her place in worship, the enemies of God become displaced, which then allows the lost to find Christ.

This is not a school for the faint of heart! This is an intense, concentrated time of learning and growing--our goal is excellence! Each student's skills will be refined as they are stretched to reach their full potential. All of this adds up to a supernatural adventure that will change you forever

The aim of this school is to do what we believe no other currently does. To heal your heart, remove the blockages of life's hurts AND to equip and train you to be the best you can be in your Godly calling. But we don't stop there! You will also be brought together with a group of tutors, all working professionals, for one-on-one and group tuition including regular live performance & worship showcases which will equip you with the necessary skills to stand with the best in your chosen field. A unique school with a unique purpose. Opportunities to travel further down the path of destiny and purpose and reclaim a face 2 face experience.

Please visit our previous gatherings...

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/raybenzy/SOW2008#
http://picasaweb.google.com/raybenzy/S0W09?feat=directlink

And for upcoming events please visit.
http://www.globalf2f.com/

Video of upcoming School of worship in bangalore
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8Kg3Er397A

thanks for taking your time to read this all, please forward this to all who have a passion to worship.
God bless you, hoping to see..

For any additional information please do contact us any time.,
09900414406 - YOHAN

Comment by Tricia on February 27, 2009 at 3:35pm

Frank brings up an interesting topic - the 20/80 problem. 20% of the people doing 80% of the work. In some churches it is even the 10/90 problem.

While our small church does have a few hardcore members who carry more weight than most, we recently figured out that we have 80% of our regulars involved in serving!! So it doesn't HAVE to be out-of-balance. What has helped our church is the implementation of the Saddleback 101/201/301/401 member classes (tailored for our own church obviously). This has helped people feel more ownership, as well as helped members figure out their spiritual gifts and purpose ... which usually equates to greater involvement.
May the Lord bless the work of your hands!!

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