Elder's Handbook

1
ELDERS TRAINING SEMINAR
Based on the Elders Handbook
Ministerial Association of the General Conference
www.ministerialassociation.com
2
The Elder and the Worship Service
Chapter 7
3
The Elder and the Worship Service

• Many churches have used about the same order of
  service, made the same announcements, sung the
  same songs, prayed the same type of prayers year
  after year, decade after decade.
• As worship leaders, we should respect differences
  in worship style when they result from
  differences in existing cultures, but we tend to
  be to fearful of adapting our worship to
  contemporary changes in society.

4
Purpose of Worship

• Worship is encountering with God.
• Christian worship is focused upon God.
• The whispering and laughing and talking which
• might be without sin in a common business
• place should find no sanction in the house
• where God is worshiped.
• Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 492

5
Purpose of Worship

• Worship includes adoration.
• Expressed through singing and prayer.
• It affirms Gods goodness, recognizes His
• worthiness and reverences His presence.

6
Purpose of Worship

• Worship includes proclamation.
• Worship is a time for the proclamation of Gods
  Word.
• Worship includes renewal.
• It should result on renewal. It involves
  reflection, prayer, and meditation. It is a time
  of repentance.
• It is a time to experience wholeness and peace in
  Jesus.

7
Purpose of Worship

• Worship includes fellowship.
• Sharing together in public worship gives strength
  to personal Christian development.
• Worship includes participation.
• Participation could include singing, prayer,
  giving, scripture reading or a sharing time.
• Remembering anniversaries, birthdays, and other
  special event is another way to show members that
  they are important to the church family.

8
Purpose of Worship

• Worship deserves planning.
• Successful worship does not just happen.
• The service must not become mere routine.
• The worship service involves the coordination of
  the activities and talents of many people and
  therefore must be well planned.

9
Parts of Worship

• Music
• Announcements Be positive, use the bulletin.
• Call to worship Bring people into a worshipful
  attitude.
• Prayer Speaking to God on behalf of the people.
• Offering Teaching self-denial, sacrifice and
  trust.

10
Parts of Worship

• Ministry to children
• Scripture reading
• Public testimony
• Congregational participation Singing, litany.

11
Parts of Worship

• Prayer
• Address to God.
• Praise.
• Repentance.
• Dedication.
• General intercession.
• Specific intercession.
• Conclusion.

One or two minutes is long enough for any
ordinary prayer. (Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 581)
12
Order of Worship
Suggestive Sample Worship Formats

• A. Longer Format
• Prelude
• Introit
• Call to worship
• Doxology
• Invocation
• Hymn of praise
• Prayer
• Offering
• Scripture reading
• Music
• Sermon
• Hymn of dedication
• Benediction
• Postlude

B. Shorter Format Introit
Hymn Prayer Offering Sermon Benediction
13
Preaching

• 8 Rules for effective preaching
• Know Christ personally.
• Preach biblically.
• Preach relevantly.
• 4. Preach positively.

Preaching is both traditionally and purposely
central to Adventist worship.
14
Preaching

1. Prepare early.
2. Organize logically.
3. Speak clearly.
4. Plan annually.

Elders, as well as pastors, are shepherds and
the principal work of shepherd is to feed the
flock.