Negotiating the Negotiables (Worship Services)
Throughout all of the trials associated with the pandemic, many churches across the world have begun to reevaluate what is and what is not essential in our worship gatherings, and to make adjustments as needed.
From Scripture, we see several non-negotiable elements:
- reading the Word,
- preaching the Word,
- praying in accord with the Word,
- singing in accord with the Word, and
- observing the Word made visible through the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Table.
The exact manner in which these essential elements are carried out is largely a matter of pastoral prudence, as is the inclusion of any negotiable, non-essential elements.
Please be in prayer for the Worship Committee and the elders as we consider any changes to our worship gatherings that may be called for in order to best align with God’s design and to remove any unnecessary hinderances to worshipping God and reaching the lost in our ever-changing context.
As Paul wrote:
“I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them… I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
