Friday, December 10, 2010

Anticipation and the Advent

Have you ever walked into a room and been overcome with anticipation? Your heart beats faster. Your widened-eyes dart from side to side. You can hardly stay still, because you know something is about to happen.

Similarly, do you remember waking up on Christmas morning when you were young? Maybe you expected to unwrap something great!

Now think about the sense of anticipation that the Magi from the east (Matthew 2) felt as they discovered where and when the Messiah would be born or the shepherds outside of Bethlehem (Luke 2) hearing the angels sing "glory to God in the highest!" They moved into action to find the Savior, Jesus!

I hope that this Advent season, you come to God with the same sense of anticipation and excitement. The birth of Jesus into human flesh is not only exciting as a story, but it paved the way for our eternal salvation and for Him to give us the gift of the Holy Spirit until He comes back again.

As you plan and prepare worship experiences, give your congregation or attendees the opportunity to be caught up in anticipation that the Spirit of Christ might be born afresh in their hearts and lives.

*This article was featured in the enewsletter, "Best Practices for Adventist Worship" in its December edition.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Creating an Environment for Worship

Introduction

Worship is personal, even in a corporate worship context. It is birthed out of a personal relationship with God. Worship expresses our awe, appreciation and affection for God. To invite a congregation into public, corporate worship they must be assured that it is safe. In order to provide a safe place that encourages worship, certain tools can be used to create an environment conducive to worship.

Stage Design and Decoration

1. Artistic use of color and texture that is relevant to the presentation of worship. Through the colors and textures used, a mood can be created to assist in presenting themes ranging from the crimson blood of Christ to the bright, vibrant second coming of Christ. When the décor is directly related to a theme being presented through worship, it reinforces the theme cognitively.

2. Minimal distractions on the stage. The only props, tools and furniture on the stage are relevant to the themes being presented and aesthetically pleasing. A dirty backdrop, exposed Gaffer clamps, or excessive cables are all examples of things that can easily distract, but are always fixable! Nothing should take away from what is being presented.

3. Arrange the stage to fit contemporary standards. To make the presentation of worship feel authentic it should look and feel familiar. The band should be set up in a way that is relatable to our audience. It shouldn’t feel forced, odd or contrived. Likewise, any other décor such as candles, chairs or backdrops should have contemporary appeal and be arranged appropriately.

On-Screen Visuals

1. Use of concrete visuals should be limited, unless a concrete message is being expressed and is desired. They can often detract from an unrelated message being expressed through lyrics, spoken word or alternative presentation that coincides.

2. Use of abstract and vague visuals allow the other content or presentation to speak for itself with a contemporary backdrop. Abstract visuals often have more artistic value and can better affect emotion when they accompany something concrete.

3. Everything must be excellent. We are a part of the “Google” generation; we know how to quickly weed out sources that are unreliable and lack credibility. If the visuals used on the screen are not done to a high standard, it could impact the credibility of a presentation that it accompanies.

Lighting

1. A darker environment provides an incubator for inside-out worship. By providing the security of anonymity and a somber ambiance, individuals allow themselves to be vulnerable before God in their worship. It should be used appropriately.

2. A brighter environment provides an awareness of community and the ability to engage. In times of engagement and interaction in worship, more light allows for conversation and free movement throughout the room to engage others. It should also be used appropriately.

3. To create color and mood on stage. As related to “Artistic use of color…” above, the stage lights can be used to enhance a theme or emotion through color.

4. To direct attention to what’s important. Spotlights, stage lights and movable lights can be used to “highlight” what’s important. Whether it’s by putting a spotlight on a solo poet at center stage in a darker worship environment or used as architectural lighting to enhance the atmosphere, lights help to direct our attention appropriately.

Seating Arrangement and Area Décor

1. Our seats are arranged to engage the congregation with the presenter and encourage community. By arranging the seats in a half-shell shape, contoured to the stage’s steps a presenter (whether speaker or musician) is able to visibly infiltrate the crowd. This isn’t necessarily literally done typically, but rather visually through the point of view at which congregants sit.

2. Prayer stations encourage prayer and spiritual interaction. Prayer is a big part of worship and by providing prayer tools and resources even within a worship service, it can allow congregants to engage in personal prayer as they may feel necessary.

Conclusion

These principles are flexible and based on Biblical spirituality and cultural paradigms. In putting this together, I have not only consulted with individuals knowledgeable on the topic, but have taken direct guidance from the Biblical Tabernacle (Exodus 25-27, etc…), Emerging Church and Emerging Worship by Dan Kimball, Church Production magazine articles and the website: www.alternativeworship.com.