Three More Ways to Improve Your Worship Service

National Missional Worship Consultant

A couple months ago I wrote about three, simple changes of a spiritual nature that can bring about dramatic improvement in passion, freshness and authenticity to your worship services (Click here to see the first article). Now, here are three, simple physical areas for improvement that

are easy to make regardless of your church's size, location or style of worship.

1.   Turn Up the Lights. 

 Lighting has a profound effect on people's moods and energy.  Inadequate lighting dampens our body's wakefulness and overall mood.   Far too many of our churches have "dreary" lighting.  Churches can learn from studies in light treatment which is used to combat everything from depression, sleepiness, fatigue, jet lag, even prolonged menstrual cycles, lupus and bulimia.  God has made our bodies to respond positively to physical light, just as our spirits respond to Jesus, who is the Light of the world that dispels the darkness.

In light studies, subjects exposed to certain kinds of lighting situations "rated themselves as less sleepy, had quicker reaction times and had fewer lapses in attention -- They also had changes in their brain activity patterns that indicated a more alert state."  (ABC News February 1, 2006).

Inadequate lighting can reduce the impact of a service. There may be multiple reasons for lethargy and lack of participation in worship but inadequate lighting doesn't have to be one of them so why not eliminate this issue? That guy in the front row who inevitably crosses his arms and takes a snooze at the first words of the sermon just might be helped to stay alert with brighter light. Furthermore, not all communication is verbal; 55% or more of communication (Wikipedia) is non-verbal so something as simple as shadows across a speaker's face can diminish both message and impact.
Because cathedrals of the past were dependent on whatever natural light made it through the stained glass windows plus whatever could be boosted by candles, we have perhaps become conditioned to think that darkness is conducive to a spiritual mood. I disagree totally. After all "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all" 1 John 1:5).

Church buildings ought to be able to be full of brightness and light. God's character is expressed in light. The Gospel itself is referred to as light (2 Cor. 4:4). God dwells in "inexpressible light" and one of the hallmarks of heaven is that we will need no source of artificial light and not even natural light because, "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light" Rev. 21:23). Church buildings that reflect the nature of God who IS uncreated light invite His Light into the room not only in a spiritual way but in a physical way. It is not more spiritual to deny our bodies but to celebrate that God has made us both body and soul, now and for eternity.

I am reminded of the liveliest service I ever experienced. It was in Nigeria, in an "outdoor church." There was a roof, but that was it, and the light of day which flooded our bodies was totally matched by a worshipping congregation with more physical energy than I have seen before or since. Clearly, the Holy Spirit was at work. But also clearly, the light of day was at work and it was a beautiful thing....
[Click Here to read the rest of the article on light, sound and bathrooms!]

Where's the Beef?

• I am looking at this [problem of thin texts] on a daily basis. There is so much good music out there!! However, one has to beware of picking songs that are shallow. There are a lot of great tunes and hooks but many lack words of depth.
• I wholeheartedly agree. We definitely need discernment in choosing music for worship.
• I think people are hungry for good solid leadership in worship/music issues...

(Click here for the rest of the article in downloadble PDF format.)