Thank you for visiting our blog site to help us evaluate our worship grant experience. Please answer the questions below as honestly and completely as you can. You may include your name or remain anonymous. We really appreciate your help!
1. Do you feel you have a better understanding of the true meaning of authentic worship because of the grant experience?
2. What (in our worship services) has enhanced your worship since the grant began (last July)?
3. What (in our worship services) has distracted you from worship?
4. Do you remember a specific event in a worship service that has been particularly meaningful to you, something that brought you closer to God, or that you’d like to have us do again?
5. Do you experience a real sense of the presence of God in our worship? How, or why not?
6. Do you feel you received enough explanation about the grant and the grant process along the way?
7. Are there any comments you’d like to make about worship?
Thank you again for your help. We could ask many more questions, but the answers to these will help us very much. We are grateful to be part of Sardis Baptist Church, and pray God’s blessings on us all!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Evaluation of our worship grant experience
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13 comments:
1. I'm not sure I can provide a textbook definition of authentic worship. I suppose it means worship designed in a way that leads you towards a pathway where one may experience God's presence and love. Authentic worship means to hold on to traditional methods of worship that "work," in that they are meaningful to participants and help them experience God. It also means letting go of rituals, customs, and other conventions that have lost their meaning to worshipers. Authentic worship requires an open heart and mind, and a willingness to explore new ways of worshiping.
2. Some things that we have tried lately that have enhanced my worship experience:
-separation of prayer time into concern and praise segments
-the inclusion of music from various cultures/traditions, however I still prefer traditional Baptist hymns and music
-the inclusion of children in worship, i.e., as acolytles
-the inclusion of the cross and pulpit bible, and their procession/recession into/out of service
-the introduction of lighting candles during prayer
3. Things that have distracted from my worship experience:
-when things have been too "busy", i.e., the use of balloons as representations of prayers in one service, the "fire" for Pentacost Sunday
-the rearrangement of worship service, i.e., having the sermon split into different segments, or moving the sermon forward or backward from it's traditional spot in the order of worship
-the undue emphasis placed on "political correctness" i.e., in the rewording of traditional hymns or bible verses to be gender neutral, or in the use of some litanies that I think have misfired due to a concern about trying to be all-inclusive
-my fear that aspects of traditional worship will be abandoned
-in general, too many changes being made too fast
4. I really felt the presence of God during one of the most recent worship services in the round. Although the "praying of the scriptures" can be distracting (and even annoying) to me, I enjoy hearing other people's impressions and comments, and enjoy the silent reflection period. I have also been very moved by the inclusion of pertinent global issues in sermons, such as the Christian response to war, homosexuals, poverty, and global warming.
5. Sensing the presence of God during worship service is a hit or miss prospect for me, and I'm sure due in part to my own personal attention and devotion during the worship hour. It is plain to me that much time and effort is being put into the development of worship, and I would like to continue to see an organic growth in this area, steered by congregational input.
6. I do feel that I received adequate information about the grant process, but I haven't heard much about the development of the worship leadership team, and I am very interested in that aspect of the project. In my opinion, that is the most important component.
7. I am glad that we are exploring ways to make worship meaningful. It can be easy for churches to slip into "autopilot" mode for worship, and while that can be easy and comfortable, it is not always the most effective means to experience God. On the other hand, I am concerned that we are trying too many new things, too fast, and then worshipers are not being given adequate time to digest these changes. I feel that if changes are being made, then a dilligent effort must be made to gauge their effectiveness, and I'm not sure this has been done. Church on "autopilot" is a bad thing, but change for change sake is also bad. Church should challenge one to a regular reevaluation of one's walk with God, but it should also be comfortable, dependable, and welcoming. Church should feel like coming home. A constantly changing scene can make one feel disconcerted. Also, I fear that some of the old traditions that are dear to me are in danger. In particular, I miss some of the traditional Baptist hymns I grew up with. I am very pleased with this opportunity to express my opinion, and I hope others will avail themselves of this chance as well.
Worship means renewal of spirit to me. It is a shared experience. It takes many forms.Music and words in the sermon and in testimony and in fellowship mean a lot to me.
1. Authentic worship will of course be different things to different people. Authentic to me means from the heart and sincere. That could be praise and worship choruses on a giant pull down screen in a stadium filled with people or singing a hymn with a friend while looking at the stars God made in the night sky. The grant process has given me a chance to reflect on what settings help me to worship.
2. There have been several things in our worship at Sardis recently that I have found quite meaningful. I enjoy the worship in the round, I really benefit from the praying through the scriptures, the individual lighting of votive candles, coming up for a blessing with the Lord's Supper, the Maundy Thursday service, the Taize service, the morning prayers divided and our responses, and singing "Wait for the Lord" in the middle of Tim's sermon during advent to name a few.
Few times in my life have I asked my pastor for the text of his sermon, but I have asked Tim for his notes more than once. If worship services at my church were always a carbon copy of the week before, I might too easily go "on autopilot". I don't think we should change things just for the sake of change either. I am trusting the ministers on Sardis Baptist's staff to following God's leading and challenge me to look at what God is saying to me in new and different ways.
3. Noise from the nursery used to distract me. The removal of the door helps. Since I am in the choir loft much of the services, children moving about in the auditorium distracts me. I am most often distracted by my own mind's thoughts. I find myself attending more when things are a little different than before. When I attend fully, I worship.
4. I listed many in answer to question 2.
5. I must admit that I do not sense the real presense of God for any entire worship service. I do not blame anyone but myself for that. I look forward to many moments of worship in services to come.
6. I am pleased that Becky and Randi were willing to work so hard for the benefit of Sardis Baptist Church. I am not clear yet on the role of the worship development committee in the years to come.
7. I have not mentioned that I love old Baptist hymns, however I have sung the Doxology so many times that it distracts me from worship.
Worship to me is an individual thing..What is meant by authenic worship is different for everyone. Worship at SBC in the past has been meaningful to me, and points me in the direction of God and experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit working in my life at that moment. The term "authentic" is a new word for me in regards to the worship experience. I definitely feel worship is a 2 way street..you have to be present and open in every way to experience God's touch, presence and love.
I am appreciative of exploring new and different ways of "doing" worship. My concern is that we are getting caught up in trying new ideas and ways and forget the real reason we are in attendance in the first place..Does it really matter to most people in our pews if the hymns contain inclusive language?? My guess is that most people aren't even aware of what that means. The hymns of our faith are written about God and Jesus, His son..I know God is not a gender, but the Bible tells me that God is Father and Jesus is His Son..Yes, God has characteristics of a mother and teaches us through scripture how to be mothers..I just don't think it's worth the energy and effort to be that specific.
Creating meaningful worship should be inclusive of all people around the world. We worship as one in God, and I believe we should emphasize that, and always be aware of that issue. Music should reflect that in worship, but we don't need to make it all about that. Music, whether hymns, service music or choir music should speak first of all to the people who are present in worship.
We need to have a balance of the old and the new.
Evaluating worship as well as other aspects of life is a valuable idea. We should always be aware that we can learn to experience God in different ways. Unfortunately, people tend to cling to the ways that best speak to them. It is always a challenge to create a corporate worship experience that touches everyone.
My prayer is that our church will move into the future in God's timing..Let Him be our guide and we will always benefit!
1. Any time you use the word authentic about something you imply that something else is inauthentic. So, to talk about authentic worship is to play with combustible material. What is authentic to one person may be inauthentic to another. And so a discussion about authentic worship can quickly become heated.
Authentic means genuine. To be authentic is to be the REAL thing. Authentic worship, then, is a genuine experience of worshiping God -- of connecting humans to God and God to humans.
As Elijah found when he tried to replicate Moses' Mt. Sinai experience, authentic worship may be one thing one time and another at another time.
I'm not sure the worship grant has given me a better understanding of authentic worship, but it has given me a better experience of authentic worship by exposing me to variations of our traditional worship.
Coming at prayer, or scripture, or music, or the sermon from different angles or perspectives sometimes opens me up to God. And that's when I think authentic worship takes place -- when I am open, just as I am, to God and open to receive God's Spirit.
2. The music during Michael Hawn's two visits enhanced my worship. I appreciate and want to keep our traditional hymns, but the exploration with music styles and from other cultures help me to get beyond the four walls of our sanctuary.
The times of silence and reflection, whether during prayer or lectio divina enhance my worship. As someone said earlier, I am also enriched hearing others share their prayers in lectio divina.
Good music also enhances my worship. Music affects my mood and can put me in a new place in a matter of minutes. The quality of music of Sardis is a plus.
Good thinking is another plus for me. Something that challenges me to think about God, and God's interaction with the world and with me enhances my worship.
3. Often I get distracted from worship because of me. Because something going on inside of me that resists opening myself up during the experience of worship.
Like a creek in the woods, when worship doesn't flow I get distracted. It's when things get dammed up that I get distracted. Thankfully, at Sardis there's nothing that constantly gets dammed up. If something falls flat, something afterwards seems to break the dam loose and things start flowing again.
4. One of the first times we lit the votive candles in worship was meaningful to me. Later in the service I watched the flickering of the flames and became fixed on wondering about all the prayers our folks are lifting to God. Some were easy to imagine and I held those in my heart, others I just wondered what they might be. The sense of prayer continuing after the "AMEN" was very real to me then.
5. Yes. But as an earlier writer said, it comes and goes. I'm not sure you can experience God's presence constantly in every service. It's like feeling of "in love" with people. Those moments that give you chill bumps come and go.
The best I think a church can do in worship is to provide quality experiences that touch multiple senses. Then, it's up to worshipers to open themselves, as they are, to the experience with God.
6. Yes. But I was also a part of the application and planning process.
7. Keep seeking the congregation's feedback and input. Keep the laity involved in planning and in leadership. Keep the traditional core while continuing to explore new avenues.
Hopefully, this response will answer most of the questions: I have personally felt a "paradigm" switch during this year - from a comfort/contentment mode with worship to an inspired, creative mode. My brain has leaped in all directions, mostly with sensory experience possibilities - as a result not just of retreat leadership, but of the atmosphere of openess and readiness of staff, the encouragement to think outside the box, and some limited reading of worship resources. Some of what enhanced my worship experience: the children's homemade offering bowls, prayer gardens, drawings and prayers; the World Communion Day Lord's supper with various breads and thoughtful connections with Christians around the world(it was globally sensitizing and challenged the taste buds); live plant/floral displays at holidays, Earth Day tablescape; music with an international flavor; The Taize service under Michael's leadership(so contemplative, peaceful, and conducive to prayer). That service, like other experiences this year, have not been a "one shot deal" for me, but a launching pad for other connections with God and his people. They made me desire to pray and meditate more and think creatively about how Sardis might initiate other points of connectivity (ex.= an open, drop-in hour of prayer for all our folk with serious health issues,prayers for family and friends with similar needs or for peace in this violent world of ours, maybe with the candles to be lit upon entering a quiet sanctuary with no leader) (a "historical"celebration of communion with a "dramatic narrative" of what that first Lord's supper would have been like). These ideas are just an example of how the worship grant year inspired me to move out of my "comfort" zone to ponder new pathways to discover God and his messages to us through scripture and corporate and individual worship. I have learned new ways to express my praise and petition and to "hear God speak" to me. The lectio divina way of reading/pondering scripture is especially meaningful and challenging to me.
I might characterize my experience with our worship renewal more as broadening. I need to work on the deepening part in my personal relationship with God as corporate worship inspires and motivates me.
It seems to me to be difficult to "measure" results of the renewal process because individuals have their own "spiritual/or God-talk" as they express themselves and many folk are very private with their thoughts and evaluations. I would want the "Worship Development Team" to keep their ears and eyes open as they proceed with planning so that they can read the "pulse" of the congregation and observe possible worship-transformation results: deepening relationships between members, increased desire to serve our community, readiness to work in leadership/servant positions, a hunger for education, more specific verbal expression of inspiration after services, a desire to invite guests, and a general warmth(which we have)growing. We have just begun .......
1.I am not sure of "authentic" but I have felt God's presence in the recent worship services.
2.The weekend with Michael Hawn, the weekend with Kyle Matthews, Taize music - Oh Lord Hear Our Prayer, children as acolytes - handmade stolls.
3.Distractions - temperature - too hot, children playing in the aisle, at times I cannot hear what is being said in the pulpit due to the person speaking lowers their voice or trails off at the end of a sentence.
4. I do feel God's presence when we "pray the Scriptures".
5. I do feel God's presence when I seek Him. At times I am distracted by following the order of worship. I sing in the choir so I am constantly looking at what is next so I am prepared.
6. I am glad we received the grant. I am not sure what all of the money was spent on though.
7. I have been excited with the new aspects of worship this year. I do still love the "traditional" aspects of worship. Several times I have had specific prayer requests and during prayer time there was not an opportunity to voice them out loud. I hope we continue to explore ways to enhance worship but not forget the traditions. I also hope we don't change for the sake of change.
I appreciated many experiences of this renewal year. Michael Hawn demonstrated several meaningful possibilities for worship. It was so helpful when he told us the origin and motivation for the writing of certain hymns(would like for us to do that in the service).I wonder if the whole congregation really heard that he said that worship exploration should be slow and that we should not try to implement changes all at once! That would make me uncomfortable and feel like the process was all about change and not "authentic". I am very unclear about what this committee for worship development is responsible for. Who will have the final say on what's included or excluded in worship? How will they gage the reactions of the congregation? Now that grant money is spent, where will funds originate? I am so impressed and confident with current staff and their thoughtful and studied approach to worship planning. How will they feel with many more ideas and personalities and theologies in the mix?
The Kyle Matthews concert was good but I was not sure where that fit in the process. I appreciated many of the lyrics of his songs as possible inspiration for action in a congregation and personally, but did not hear any strategies for worship, just a concert.
Traditional Baptist hymns are so meaningful to me, but I enjoy the addition of international pieces and the addition of instruments,expecially by guests who are accomplished in their field.
Please, just keep us informed with where we go from here. Communication is so important - don't know what the best path for that information is, but the more personal it can be , the better.
Thanks for all the hard work. There will be a number of folk in the congregation with creative ideas and talents that have not been on a committee. We should find a way to encourage and affirm them. The more people involved in the process, the better. Maybe the deacons have discovered some of those gifts as they get to know their families?!
If you are searching for a definition of "authentic worship", I think that it's "dangerous" to pin it down for a whole congregation. One person's "authentic" is not necessarily another's.
I enjoyed most of the events and added worship elements these months, but feel that we are somewhat disjointed in our approach to the desired outcome of the grant. What is the over-arching purpose or plan for future change in our services? Maybe the Worship Team will spell that out for us.
We came to Sardis because of the genuine, non-trendy, intelligent worship experience we had, and the quality of the staff, and the openness and warmth of the people, and their mission-mindedness. We would want to see that"enhanced" but not changed drastically. Thank you for the chance to comment.
1. I believe I have an enlarged understanding of authentic worship because of the grant experience. Authentic worship Is described by most people who study and write about worship as worship which exists only for the purpose of paying homage and adoring God; not for any benefit to us, but for the privilege of loving and expressing our gratitude to God. I have a new awareness of our being a part of the global Christian community, and the immense treasure of other cultures' ways of worshiping God, and an enhanced desire to include those different ways of worship in our own worship hour. I have a deeper desire for contemplation and prayerful, quiet worship because of our Taize worship service. I have a greater appreciation of the importance of well-planned, well-prepared worship and worship leadership which enables the worshiper to focus on God's presence.
2. Many events in worship have made me aware of God's presence in worship; the acolytes' sentence reminding us that we are to rejoice and realize that this is God's day; the involvement of children and laity in worship leadership (i.e., testimonies, children's participation, worship in the round, prayer candles, Taize service, some of the Taize music, movement during the Pentecost service, which made me smile and feel joyful, etc.)
3. The main distraction for me has been worship that is ill-prepared, especially since the choir is usually among the last to learn of certain aspects of the worship service in which we are to be involved. I think the ideas have been good, but smooth, flowing worship which gives the worshiper the opportunity to focus on God and not on confused leaders and participants depends on more and better preparation on the part of those participants. I truly believe we would have better participation from the congregation if there was better preparation of all participants.
4. I loved the way we did the Scripture on Pentecost Sunday. I know it may have made some people uncomfortable, but it was childlike and joyful. We used our bodies in celebration of the event - the gift of the Holy Spirit - in a simple way that made us smile. I rarely feel real JOY during our worship, so this was special to me. I don't see us doing this very often, but once in awhile something like this would be lovely!
5. I agree with others who have said that the experience of God's presence is not a constant in any worship. I do feel that this is often my own fault, and that being quiet during the prelude, praying in preparation for worship, and seeking God's presence helps me to realize God is there.
6. I wish there had been more constant reminders about the grant and about worship renewal, but I am partly responsible for the lack of information because I was part of the grant team. There seem to be some gaps in communication between groups within the church; we could all do with better communication!
7. I look forward to being part of the Worship Development Team and to increased participation by more of our church members in planning and leadership. I feel that there are people in our pews who have gifts they don't even realize can be used in our worship. I am eager to see those gifts recognized and used in ways that will enhance our worship experience, and further help us to glorify the God who created us and gifted us!
Thank you for visiting our blog site to help us evaluate our worship grant experience. Please answer the questions below as honestly and completely as you can. You may include your name or remain anonymous. We really appreciate your help!
1. Do you feel you have a better understanding of the true meaning of authentic worship because of the grant experience? Yes I do
2. What (in our worship services) has enhanced your worship since the grant began (last July)? We have tried different worship styles. For instance, the one service where each pastor did a portion of the sermon. We have added more for the children to keep them more involved. To name just a few things.
3. What (in our worship services) has distracted you from worship? Nothing I can think of off hand.
4. Do you remember a specific event in a worship service that has been particularly meaningful to you, something that brought you closer to God, or that you’d like to have us do again? I enjoyed the sermon where each pastor participated.
5. Do you experience a real sense of the presence of God in our worship? How, or why not? Yes. The music and sermons are very enjoyable and occationally thought provoking.
6. Do you feel you received enough explanation about the grant and the grant process along the way? Yes on Wednesday evenings.
7. Are there any comments you’d like to make about worship? All involved – keep up the good work.
Thank you again for your help. We could ask many more questions, but the answers to these will help us very much. We are grateful to be part of Sardis Baptist Church, and pray God’s blessings on us all!
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Anonymous student: If you need more information go to our website -- www.sardisbaptistcharlotte.org -- for more information on worship. You can also go to the staff page and email me. Tim Moore, pastor.
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