Monday, October 24, 2005
Report from ‘Worship Matters’ in Milwaukee
“Welcome to this transformed place, a place for transformation,” Pastor
James Rand greeted the more than 60 guests who had come together at
Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church. Traveling from Indiana, Illinois, Iowa,
and Wisconsin, we were here to talk about Worship Matters: Planning Worship that Connects with Your Congregation.
The beautifully redesigned space provided a place to worship and to talk
about worship. Rocking chairs in the back of the sanctuary with quilts
hanging over the back told us that all ages are welcome in this place.
Recognizing that worship is a corporate conversation between God and his
people, we considered how words, music and gestures help or hinder our
worship. We sang music to help worshipers confess or lament. We talked
about how we need a healthy balance of music in our worship to sustain
healthy, vibrant faith. We considered new hymns, songs, psalm settings
and short refrains that can be a breath of fresh air for our congregational singing.
Realizing that too often in the church, music and theology, Word and
liturgy are separated, we talked about ways musicians and pastors can
cooperate more closely for the welfare of the church and its worship. We
also talked about weekly worship planning and considered some creative
solutions to the challenges that weekly planning can present. Ways to
lead worship teams in their support of congregational song were
thoughtfully discussed.
Many congregations indicated that they seek to be more welcoming of
guests who come to worship with them. Helpful ideas were shared of ways
that a warm welcome can be extended to guests. One participant told of
moving to a new city and worshiping for the first time in a congreation
with her infant son. He began crying during the prayer and her
discomfort increased as she realized there was no graceful way to quiet
the child or leave. Just then the pastor prayed, “Thank you, God, for
the beautiful sounds of this child.” Today, 20 years later, she recalls
this warm hospitality which affirmed their choice of this congregation as
their home church.
As the participants gathered at 3:30 to reflect on the day, on the new ideas
and resources we had discovered and the new friends we had made, we
realized that although we represented many denominations, as worship
leaders and planners we face the same issues and challenges. We left
inspired and encouraged for the work in our home congregations.
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