Janet Wright Erik Zeterberg Content for Mentor: Michelle - PDF document

Group #2 – The Called Rosa Cochran Jodi Kasten Dex Phillips Christina Pittman Michael Poplin Janet Wright Erik Zeterberg Content for Mentor: Michelle Alexander PowerPoint Presentation

(Slide One) “The Called” Presents The 2017 Leadership UMC (LUMC) Research Project Group #2 Rosa Cochran, Jodi Kasten, Dex Phillips, Christina Pittman, Michal Poplin, Janet Wright, Erik Zeterberg April 28, 2017 (Slide Two) Introduction Research Assignment How can providing worship services that appeal to different age groups and interests increase the vitality of the local church? (Slide Three) Mission of the United Methodist Church: “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” achieved through vital congregations that equip and empower people to be disciples of Jesus Christ in their homes and communities around the world. 1 (Slide Four) Understanding the Vitality of an UMC Congregation?  Spirit-filled, forward-leaning communities of believers that welcome all people (Gal.3:28)  Places where disciples of Jesus Christ are made through the power of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:18-20)  Communities that serve like Christ through justice and mercy ministries (Micah 6:8, Luke 4:17-21) (Slide Five) How UMC measures Vitality?  Inviting and inspiring worship  Engaged disciples in mission and outreach  Gifted, empowered and equipped lay leadership  Effective, equipped and inspired clergy leadership  Small Group ministries 1 UMC.org

 Strong children’s & youth ministries 2 (Slide Six) The Array of Denomination Tools Engagement, Worship Styles, Outreach Programs  Today’s society does not see church attendance as compulsory as it was just fifty years ago. Decline in regular church attendance overall after a peak in 1975, even as the US population increases.  The Methodist Church has experienced decrease on the single-church level as worship choices expand. (Slide Seven) Total Mainline Church Membership (1925-2000) Resource: ChristianCentury.org 2 UMC.org

(Slide Eight) Denominational Membership (1925-2000) Resource: ChristianCentury.org (Slide Nine) Vital Congregations Are... I. Established Common church buildings and denominational association are no longer requirements for a vibrant and active congregation.

II. Personal Choice Large population of adults 50+ in the United States versus the tastes of younger “millennial” counterparts under the age of 30. III. Declining Church Attendance Results in new and innovative forms of worship. IV. Comfortable and Predictable Christianity Traditional Christian worship styles (Separation of Children, Hymns, Narthex Sermons), Set liturgical order (Season/Events variances throughout year) (Slide Ten) Traditional Brick and Mortar 1) Music ( singing, instruments, sheet music ) 2) Non-Traditional Worship ( formations ) 3) Children and Youth Worship ( role play ) 4) “Fresh Expressions” ( beyond customary ) 5) Independent Survey ( communications ) (Slide Eleven) Mu s ic (Slide Twelve) Music Ready ourselves fore the opening messages of worship: heart, mind and soul. Concerns for happiness :  music selections  amount of music  sound delivery  congregational participation

(Slide Thirteen) Four Important Reasons We Worship with Music 1) Spotlight significant liturgical moments 2) Enable groups of people to unite as one voice 3) Respond to God using the unique language of music 4) Inspire and support members of the C hurch (Slide Fourteen) Contemporary Worship Aides (Psalm 98:4):  Beauty and Emotion 3 (appearance)  Present (occupancy)  Willingness (one body, one note) (Slide Fifteen) Contemporary Music Praise ( introduce modern coexistence )  introduce a link to their past ( familiar archive: hymn )  introduce Youth Sundays ( special services )  introduce invitations by non-traditional services ( familiar favorite: modern )  introduce cross-pollinate music experiences ( span age differences )  introduce new open doors with worship ( satisfy congregations ) (Slide Sixteen) Contemporary Services:  Modern, non-hymn music performed by a Band rather than an Organ, Piano or Choir (traditional worship services).  Music becomes a concert or a detached performance rather than an act of worship. 4 3 Introduction to Christian Worship by James F. White (pgs. 112,113) 4 Introduction to Christian Worship by James F. White (pg. 118)

 Music appeals to worshippers under the age of 30.  The Vital Parts of Contemporary Worship (services): 5 God speaks to us , We address God and We speak to one another . (Slide Seventeen) Non-Traditional Worship Styles (Slide Eighteen) Non-Traditional Worship Styles “Worship” defined. “reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred” or “the act of showing respect and love for a god especially by praying with other people who believe in the same.” 6 (Slide Nineteen) Worship Acknowledgements.  He is as God as He is as Savior (diversity)  His power and deity of God (gratitude)  Who He is (individual life)  His activity (lives of people) (Slide Twenty) Congregational Arts: Age, Stage and Interest 1. Talents: expression of dance, song, banners and flags, painting, 2. Gifts: match the congregation in praying and giving to expression of service/worship Thanks to the creator of those talents fore He comes alive with vitality our Talents and Gifts in serving God. 5 Introduction to Christian Worship by James F. White (pg. 169) 6 Merriam-Webster Dictionary

(Slide Twenty-One) Question: “Should we raise our hands/clap our hands during worship?” Answer: Exalt His name and offer Him both the lifting of hands and the clapping of hands as an act of worship. “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” (Psalm 47:1) “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” (Timothy 2:8) (Slide Twenty-Two) Question: "Dance in worship - what does the Bible say?" Answer: People dancing are an act of worship. Psalm 149:3 encourages the use of dancing to worship God: “Let them praise his name with dancing!” (Slide Twenty-Three) Witness Expressions Witnessing a variety of Worship Expressions are the acknowledgement of the impression of who God is in accordance with Scripture. Valid expressions by youth or adults are freestyle or choreographed painting, waving, dancing, and singing. (Slide Twenty-Four) Four Reasons to Offer Multiple Worship Styles 7 1. It is absolutely necessary for the unity of the church . 2. You truly have multiple types of congregations . 3. You have an abundance of different types of musicians . 4. It is a part of a prayerful and well-thought strategy . (Slide Twenty-Five) Children & Youth in Worship (Slide Twenty-Six) Children & Youth Worship  Although some people have drifted away or never had membership in the Church brings them back as becoming parents.  Not all congregations do a good job of welcoming children and youth. However, families to a congregation and makes it a place where people want to stay. 7 Five Reasons to Have Multiple Styles of Worship – Ranier on Leadership (#268)

 As attendance grows, so does the participation of extended family in worship service. This is documented through families to a congregation and makes it a place where people want to stay. (Slide Twenty-Seven) Children & Youth Worship Different Points of View.  Many people differ on children’s participation in worship, and how they should do so meaningfully if they do.  Author Carolyn C. Brown beliefs say, “Worship is the heart of the congregation. Everyone has different interests, such as pastoral care or missions, but in worship you build community. Children need to see themselves as part of a community of all ages who share commitments. I can't imagine a person of any age being thought of as part of the congregation but not being part of worship" (Slide Twenty-Eight) Children’s Attention. Hearing the Bible read and preached in Worship has a different impact than studying it. "One Sunday a grandfather, father, and pre-teen daughter, all from the same family, took turns reading verses of Psalm 139 during the service. It was very moving for the adults to hear a child read, 'You knit me together in my mother's womb.' Kids paid attention simply because someone their own age was up there," says Brown. (Slide Twenty-Nine) Interplay Between Generations. "The Bible is very clear from the get-go that we are called to be God's family. The interplay between generations and levels of wisdom feeds the whole community. Funneling everyone into their own worship setting or niche loses the truth of all generations worshiping together," Carolyn says. Teenagers who've been segregated into "youth services," instead of attending worship with their families, will graduate from high school never having built worship patterns with adults. (Slide Thirty) Teenager Growth in Worship Planning is essential for consideration of age appropriateness. The pastor and worship team are responsible for keeping activity light-hearted yet meaningful.