They Spoke so Effectively

1. They Spoke so Effectively Developing Impacting Worship Segments By Rolan Monje March 2007

2. Theme verse • Acts 14.1 …they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed At Iconium, the apostles preached in such an effective manner that many responded!

3. Can you imagine if we spoke effectively in our worship services? • Can you imagine the impact on listeners?

4. Questions • What are some of our fears about public speaking? • What are some mistakes we’ve made in preaching? • What are some things we want to improve in our preaching?

5. Why do we need to be effective? • Because we need to do justice to Scripture • Because need to be pointed to the Word • Because for some, it may be their only time to hear the Word

6. Effectiveness comes from consistency, and consistency comes from our personal times with God

7. The UIO attitude (Col 3:16)for building consistency • Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…. • Ang mga salita ni Cristo ay itanim ninyong mabuti sa inyong isip… upreach outreach inreach

8. On Service Segments • Remember that all parts of the service require speech • We need to think about how effectively we deliver these segments

9. Services in the early church? What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. -1 Co 14.26-28

10. Notes from 1 Co 14.26-28 • There must be order in group worship • All must be done for the strengthening of the church

11. Services in the early church? The Bible and historical study provide evidence that the early church had very simple and flexible worship services. To be sure, Scripture tells us that there was singing and preaching of the word. Many details are not given, and we granted much latitude for our own worship settings.

12. Usual Speaking Service Segments (ICOC) • Welcome • Opening Prayer • Communion Charge • Benevolence • Introduction of Guest Speaker • Message/Sermon (beyond scope of this workshop) • Response • Announcements

13. General rules • Pray a lot before speaking • Clear your heart (or confess) before speaking • Pray immediately before speaking • Practice reading the verse aloud • Read the verse powerfully • Speak in conversational tone, slightly more formal • Stick within your allotted time • Strive to be dynamic

14. Reading biblical passages in public • Verify that it is the correct passage • Mention the reference (book, chapter, and verse) twice so people can follow • If possible, hold up the Bible in your hand • Modulate your voice • Read at a pace that is slower than usual • Take note of emphases in the text

15. Purpose of the Welcome • To create a family atmosphere • To help people relax • To point people to God

16. Tips for a great welcome • Have a great QT that morning • Walk confidently to the stage • Smile a big smile • Practice reading the Scripture • Suggested time: less than 3 mins • Prayer should focus on God; suggested to be ~60% adoration

17. Purpose of communion • To focus people on the Cross • To foster gratitude for God’s grace Not to • Create feelings of guilt • Coerce confession of sin

18. Tips for a great communion message • Pray for wisdom and conviction • Focus on just one verse (possibly two if really needed) • Be able to summarize your whole message into just one sentence • Exude seriousness with gratitude • Suggested length: 5-8 mins

19. Choosing a communion verse Many communion passages are overused. Why not try using these? • Passages about God • Passages about the Passion (Jesus’ suffering and death), from both gospels and non-gospels • Passages about grace (OT and NT)

20. Purpose of benevolence • To create family by sharing • To encourage people to think of other people’s needs Not to • Convict people of selfishness • Collect money for church operations

21. Tips for a great benevolence charge • Pray for wisdom and conviction • Focus on just one verse (possibly two if really needed) • Be able to summarize your whole message into just one sentence • Suggested length: 3-6 mins • Remember that this is a function of being family; the church is a family

22. Choosing a benevolence verse • Passages about God’s character • That God is giving • That God thinks about needs • That God… • Passages about the church as family • Passages about mercy • Passages about being family

23. Delivering a great sermon • Requires training and skill • Beyond the scope of this presentation • Please visit www.addtoyourlearning.com to view the 3 Powerpoint presentations from the MMCC Preaching Workshop

24. Purpose of introductions • To prepare people’s minds to listen • To encourage attention & response • To give some info about the speaker (acting as a bridge)

25. Tips for introducing a guest speaker • Do your research early • Include a personal comment or two • Do not say anything negative about the guest speaker • Keep it to 3 mins or less

26. Tips for responding to a sermon • Be positive • Do not say anything negative about the guest speaker or the sermon • Focus on a few important points • Do not repeat the whole lesson • Keep it to 3 mins or less

27. Purpose of announcements • To give announcements • To motivate action • To call the attention of those concerned

28. Homework • Review the notes from this slideshow • Do a Scripture search for passages, for each of the service segments • Next session: Practicing various parts of the Sunday service

29. Thank you for coming! Developing Impacting Worship Segments By Rolan Monje