The murmur of dozens of conversations is interrupted as the pastor goes to the pulpit.  He does a good job getting everyone’s attention, but those who can’t hear don’t know he is trying to begin the service.  The “guests” are slightly amused as he calls a lady by name to get her to be quiet.  Now that he has everyone’s attention, he begins the announcements.  The children have never stopped coloring.

How do you start your worship service?  The way you begin impacts what happens during the service.  Informality is fine, but aimlessness and mediocrity will “infect” the entire service. 

Start on time.  At the same time every week.  Try to start a couple of minutes early.  No one will mind and it will help you finish early- trust me, no one will mind that either.  If you begin with music, the leader should begin the music at the same time each week.  This may require some planning, but then, the Lamb was slain BEFORE the foundation of the world.

Make the start of the worship obvious.  A conversational attempt to get people to be quiet does not make it clear that the worship service has started.  Make it unmistakable.  Prayer is good: it calls on God to be a part of the worship, it calls on God’s people to worship, it focuses thoughts, and through it you can ask God to do what you hope He will do during the service.  If you begin with music, make it strong, forceful.   You can even begin worship with a welcome.  My favorite way to start services was with “Welcome to the worship of Jesus Christ!”  Whatever you do, make it obvious that worship has begun.

Make it inspirational.  The announcement of a hymn is rarely inspirational, but a strong piano introduction and the forceful leadership of a well known hymn usually inspire us.  Try beginning a worship service with the testimony of a new believer.   Sometimes a video of a ministry in action can inspire the congregation.

You need not be cold, unfriendly, and impersonal, but you cannot enter God’s presence casually.  Your congregation does not know that you are entering His throne room, you must let them know that what is about to happen is valuable, special.  Don’t hide behind what they prefer, lead them into the presence of the Most High. 

The new convert said to me, “I like coming to church here, y’all act like it’s important.”  It is important.

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