Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he has done for me. Psalm 66:16.

In worship we share our joys and sorrows, learnings and aspirations. If there’s a celebration or a bereavement or a tragedy, let people verbalize their feelings. Encourage them to tell brief faith-stories about the theme of the service. (Last Sunday I preached on social justice in a Baptist church; during the communitytime there were a couple of stories from people who had suffered an injustice, or participated in bringing justice to bear somewhere). During this interaction we share our needs and find support from others. And after the benediction some serious counseling or praying with others can begin to happen.

God may want to say something prophetic to the whole church. Usually, such a ‘word from the Lord’ ought to be ‘checked out’ by the pastor/s first especially if it’s highly charged, and will affect the community of faith in a significant way.

Then there’s a ‘hey kids’ time. Then someone who can do it sensitively in the spirit of this worship-segment will mention the ‘notices’, but they’ll be disguised as ‘opportunities for ministry and prayer’!

Lord, in the family of the faithful to which I belong, help us all to be concerned for one another, to listen to one another, and then pray earnestly for each other. Amen.

Related Articles:

• Lovers Of Pleasure More Than Lovers Of God
• My God Turns My Darkness Into Light
• God Will Redeem My Life From The Grave
• Blessed Are Those Whose Strength Is In You
• My Times Are In Your Hands

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