Curious guests walk into your church every week. Some are believers that are just curious about your church; they've heard about your pastor or the worship band or the children's ministry and want to try it on for size. The other group of curious guests is what I REALLY get excited about though; they're either apathetic or agnostic and have heard or seen something different about your church that has drawn them to walk through your doors.
Do you think about these guests when you create and lead worship experiences? How important is their experience to you? Let me tell you why they should be an important consideration in creating and leading your worship experiences.
It is my belief that the church has two callings. First, to grow and disciple believers in their lifelong relationship with Jesus. Second, to create disciples by introducing them to Jesus and inviting them into a relationship with Him. Both are really important jobs, but many of us are putting to much energy into the first calling and ignoring the second.
In His ministry on earth, Jesus made a big deal about the outsiders. He said that when we serve them, we are serving Him and in His last instruction to His followers, He said to go and tell them the good news. Reaching them is a big deal to Jesus - so we need to make it a big deal in our worship!
Believe it or not, in our corporate worship gatherings we have an opportunity to reach both groups. Here's how you can move in that direction...
- Use artistic expressions well. I've said it before and I'll say it again... if you can't do it well, you can't be credible. Whether its graphics, music or dance... it has to be inspiring, even to skeptics!
- Cast the vision for your team. They need to understand that you're not just trying to lead a congregation of believers to the throne of God, you're also trying to lead people into His grace for the first time. That means as we create and lead people through worship experiences, we allow them to engage at their own comfort level. We can't call them out, force anything out of them or expect any particular response.
- Lead by example. Focus on your personal worship experience as you lead worship. Be genuinely engaged in worship as a conversation between you and God. As you model worship for the attendees, they will be more willing to engage.
- Ask for a heart for non-believers. Pray that God inspires you with a heart for those Jesus-curious guests that come to your church. As God inspires you with a burden for outsiders, you'll be better equipped to serve them in worship.
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