LISTENING CONFERENCE REPORT ON WORSHIP
This is the report of the Listening Conference Committee at First Christian Church. During the fall of 2005, eleven listening conferences were conducted wherein the members of First Christian Church were given the opportunity to express their views on a variety of matters regarding worship in our Church. Over 100 members participated in this process. Members were first asked to reflect and consider what each felt the word "worship" meant to them in their individual lives. They were asked to express their thoughts on the importance to them of certain elements of worship as practiced in our church. Leaders of the listening conferences then encouraged participants to express their thoughts and views on how we were doing as a church in meeting their worship needs. Participants voiced their opinions as to our strengths and weaknesses. Finally, participants were asked what changes, if any, they would like to see implemented in worship at First Christian Church.
As one would imagine, the discussions were lively and spirited and the responses were quite varied. Although an effort was made to focus participants on "worship" as a broader concept, most focused on the Sunday morning worship services. Also, it came as no surprise that some hold very strong beliefs when it comes to Sunday morning worship services. The surprise came from what seemed to be a sincere willingness by all participants to listen and explore new ideas. This phenomenon is surely the result of a genuine concern for the future of this church.
Our members understand that we, like all mainline protestant churches, are not growing in membership. We all share a common concern over this. We have been struggling with our lack of growth for years and we have tried various ways to make our church more inviting to more people. But we still do not grow. While no one expresses the desire to become a mega-church, most of us simply hope that we can remain a viable Christian community committed to Christ's teachings. As Christians, we understand that worship is not about what we like and don't like. It is about experiencing God. It is about inviting the Holy Spirit to this place. It is about providing a loving hospitable community which can provide spiritual guidance to those who seek it and comfort to those who need it. It is about being a part of a community that loves those like you and loves those not like you.
We know that this is a special place. We want it to continue, not just for us, but for our children, our grandchildren and any who might wish to join us. There are many of us and we are as different as night and day. There are those that are very comfortable with the way things are but there is a significant voice calling for change. Our diversity should be considered a strength, not a weakness. In order for us to continue and grow, we need to consider the entire community. We must not think in individual terms. We need to look forward beyond today and consider what God has in mind for this place during the next century. We need to embrace change if change is what will help lead us forward. We need to maintain those things which are central to our worship experience. Although we know you can't please everyone all the time, we think we should at least endeavor to please God. If we do so, we will continue to be a vibrant Christian community.
What follows is a synopsis of only those items which were most frequently mentioned by participants during the listening conferences. There is a compilation of practically every thought expressed during the conferences which is available for review, however, the Committee thought it best to attempt to summarize the information.
The Committee's task is not to make recommendations but to report our findings. Our findings are necessarily general in nature. The Senior Minister at First Christian Church, with support from the church staff, the Worship Committee, the General Board, and the congregation, is the person most responsible for worship at First Christian Church. Through his/her leadership, the staff, the Board and the appropriate committees will endeavor to insure that worship at First Christian Church continues to be a meaningful experience to all its members.
REPORT OF THE LISTENING CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
Synopsis of frequently mentioned items from the listening sessions:
Elements Seen as Very Important in Worshipping God:
Communion (listed most often)
Corporate Worship – bringing us together as a community
Prayer – Reverence – Quiet Time
Glorifying God – Jesus – Holy Spirit
Personal Relationship with Trinity – Spirituality – God’s Presence
Sermons – including Children’s Sermon
Tradition – Ritual and Structure
Praise
Music – sets the mood
Special Services
Small Group Studies
Worship Strengths at First Christian Church:
Communion – center of worship
Three Different Services
Variety in Time, Convenience, Length
Formal / Informal
Traditional / Contemporary
Music – Organ
Laity Involvement
Inclusion of women
Youth Involvement
Beauty of Space
Sanctuary
Atrium
Minister and Staff
Diversity
Participation by Membership
Sermons based on theology
Tradition / Heritage
Closeness, Intimacy in 8:30Service
Special Services
All Saints Day
Maundy Thursday
Earth Day
Lenten Series
Christmas Eve
Others
Positive Experiences Conference Participants Have Had in Other Churches: Welcoming hymn or signature hymn either at beginning or end of worship or at both times
Youth choirs
Gathering music
Visitor welcoming event
Involvement of total congregation in event such as Hanging of the Greens
Areas of Concern about Worship at FCC:
Lack of willingness to adapt or alter worship – always doing it the same way
One-hour length of 10:30service – hinders flexibility
Architecture of sanctuary
Cold, Gothic
Bad acoustics
Lighting problems
Arrangement of pews – deters community feeling
Lack of hospitality / warmth, especially to visitors, in 10:30service
Lack of children’s worship program at 8:30service
Division of the congregation by having two Sunday morning services
Music
Lack of congregational singing at 10:30service
Lack of leader for congregational singing at 10:30service
Prelude – could be done prior to 10:30
Anthem – not essential every week – alter what is done sometimes
Organ music – sometimes too long and seen as recital
Tradition and Predictability – might inhibit “Spirit”
FCC Members Suggested These Items as Possible Aids to Worship:
Investigating use of Chalice Praise Hymn Book
Examining possibility of employing a Music Minister
Evaluating current order of worship to determine if it is habitual or meaningful
Exploring ways to use new park across street from FCC
Pooling of resources / merging with nearby churches
Making gradual changes, since a sense of security is associated with
unchanged aspects
Fostering an awareness of serving communion to one another and looking at
the person to whom one passes communion
Reading of both Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures each Sunday --
if appropriate, liturgist could read one of these
Hearing more voices and seeing more involvement, such as on Laity Sunday,
Youth Sunday, Children’s Time
Connecting parts of the service through Scripture, music, prayer, etc.
Examining our greeting of visitors and trying to become more organized, friendly, welcoming, helpful – perhaps by adding more greeters to help visitors find the nursery, Sunday School rooms, sanctuary, atrium, etc.
Possible Aids to Worship: (continued)
Making available for visitors information about our variety of services, groups, classes, etc., perhaps in brochures in pews or entrances
Challenging ourselves to learn more about Biblical scholarship today
Emphasizing “No Creed but Christ” and what it means to Disciples of Christ
Involving all age groups in activities at FCC
Encouraging small group worship activities
Suggestions for 8:30Service:
Including more quiet time for prayer
Involving children by adding Children’s Time
Switching to 10:30time occasionally
Avoiding change of setting, physical proximity of worshippers
Keeping length and convenience of service as they are
Suggestions for
10:30Service:
Including more variety / diversity in musical style and presentation
Using prelude other than organ music part of the time; could begin prior to 10:30; could be lighter, not a performance; not needed every week
Using gathering music, not organ all the time
Using more piano, men’s groups, etc.; anthem not needed every week
Including Christian musicians from outside congregation as guests
Examining use of choir music before and after prayers -- not needed every Sunday
Using more instruments, such as bells and chimes
Adding young people’s choir – maybe bells
Fostering more connection between choir and congregation
Roping off portion of sanctuary so worshippers sit closer together
Promoting intimacy during service – holding hands, etc.
Providing brighter lights in sanctuary
Seating deacons with families until just before time to serve
Restoring quiet time before morning prayer
Becoming less formal, more friendly
Taking necessary time for service, even if it lasts past 11:30,
with those who have to leave doing so
Asking liturgists to keep comments within time limits suggested on information given to them and remember this is time for worship, not personal agendas
Suggestion for Sunday Vespers Service:
Designating responsibility for program and music coordination
The members of First Christian Church have expressed their views about worshipping God, and the Listening Conference Committee on Worship has listened. We have done our best to summarize elements considered important for building an intentional worship culture:
1. Hospitality-- encourage friendliness to members and visitors
2. Music– emphasize gathering music; encourage congregational singing;
incorporate more variety; engage youth; use more instruments
3. Spirituality – encourage more “spirit building” during worship
4. StrengthBuilding– build on our strengths -- stress importance of communion, "No Creed but Christ,” policy of inclusion, etc.
5. Variety
– keep a variety of services to meet needs of members and visitors at FCC
6. Community Spirit – encourage a sense of community throughout the congregation
7. Basis of Worship – keep Scripture, prayer, and theology based worship
8. Reverence – encourage prayer and reverence during worship
9. Change – enact change gradually, perhaps beginning with gathering music and an intentional culture of vitality in worship at the beginning of worship
