New Worship Aid

After years of video screens, loud, repetitive choruses and congregations of observers, something new and refreshing is happening at church. This new movement is centered on congregational participation and each of the worshipers will have a personal hand held worship guide. With this new mode of worship there will be no more mistakes in video projections. The worship will not be at the mercy of the sound and video operators. Each worship participant will have in their hands all the resources needed for worship. Both music and selected scripture readings. There are three distinct advantages to this new worship aid.

First, it promotes congregational participation. Video is totally passive. Even praise music with the aid of video projection of the words doesn’t require the listener to participate. But this new worship aid encourages participation. It is hand held so from the start the worshiper has to pick it up. This is a powerful thing. When others are picking up the aid, it is hard not to pick up yours and join in. Not only does this aid promote participation it even will help the worshiper know exactly what to say or to sing. It is all there in front of their eyes.

Secondly, it doesn’t require and professional skill. You don’t have to be a trained musician, play an instrument or have any presentation skills. As the worship leader all you need do is direct the congregation to the item you want them to use and tell them when to start. No special training is needed to begin to use this worship aid.

Thirdly, it is not expensive and doesn’t require and expensive installation or new hardware or software. Compared to video, PowerPoint, sound systems and projectors this aid is dirt cheap. You get more bang for your ministry buck.

This is such a great innovation I think all churches will convert to the use of the Hymn book within the next 5 years. Worship services will once again be alive with people who actually are participating in the service.

All kidding aside, have we as church leaders sacrificed our worship on the altar of entertainment. Have we adopted the high tech presentation methods just because we can, not because they are actually better? Have we substituted showmanship for leadership? Is what we call praise music actually more worshipful, more effective than hymns? Is presenting the scripture reading on a large screen better than having people actually open a Bible?

I think we need to take a serious look at what we are doing in our churches. Change is good, but not every change is effective. We need to use the tools that produce the effect we are seeking. Not just use them because we have them.