Making Worship Passionate

Notes from Topeka District Leadership Event: Five Conversations about Fruitful Practices presentation by Nanette Roberts, Grace United Methodist Church

It’s not about us — It’s what God does

Characteristics of Worship

• An art and a science
• Prayerful and hard work
• Grounded in scripture
• Holds people accountable
• Changes lives

Science of Worship — Gathering information and evaluate it

• What is local perception of church?
• How accessible is the church?
• What is the spirit of the congregation during worship?
• How does the environment (hot/cold) affect worship?
• How does the lighting affect worship?
• What does the church expect of the congregation during worship?
• Does the church ask congregants to come prepared for worship?

Top Ten Points

• Focus on strengths
• Be prepared for unexpected
• Be Real
• Wait for God
• Tell the stories
• Be authentic
• Spread passion
• God has word for you today
• Listen
• Mission keeps church alive
• Build from strengths

Change is painful but inevitable

Effective Congregations - Radical Hospitality

Notes from Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Robert Schnase and Topeka District Leadership Event: Five Conversations about Fruitful Practices presentation by Adam Hamilton

Effective Congregations

• Have a practical and personal mission
  • Becomes memorable and achievable
• Change, improve, learn and adapt to fulfill mission

Fulfilling Great Commission

• Requires intentional focus on those outside the community of faith
• Involves seeing ourselves as sent out by Christ
• Involves going out of our way
• Changes and expands church ministry as those new to community of faith are received
• Requires willingness to share faith journey

Reflective Questions for Effective Congregations (from Leading Beyond the Walls by Adam Hamilton)

• Why do people need Christ?
• Why do people need the church?
• Why do people need this congregation?

What is Radical Hospitality?

• Basing practices of life on Christ
• Radiating Christ into the lives of others
• Praying, Planning, Preparing and Working toward purpose of helping others receive Christ
• Working to anticipate others’ needs
• Supporting others in their faith journey
• Striving (without ceasing) to exceed expectations to accommodate and include others
• Entrusting that the facilities communicate maximum hospitality, an unmistakable sense of welcome and complete accessibility
• Searching for new ways to make the church look fresh, appealing, inviting, easy to navigate, safe, clean and attractive
• Communicating strategically, intentionally and frequently to the public
• Learning from other churches

Becoming an Effective Congregation

• Do not fear failure
• Be willing to change attitudes, practices and/or values
• Be willing to take risk — discernment by nausea — If it doesn’t make you sick thinking about doing it, then it may not be from God

Lord, mold your churches into

effective congregations practicing

radical hospitality that they will be

effective disciples in your name.