The thing I have missed most during the past months of lockdowns, closures and livestreaming services is worshipping together as a congregation. When we sing together, we are united with other believers. In these moments of corporate worship, as we sing about joy, hope, faithfulness and, most importantly, God’s grace and love, we share an intensely personal connection to our creator God. This is why we miss it so much. As we prepare to lead worship in-person again, here are four things to remember: 

1. People just want to be together again. The beauty of sharing a time of corporate worship is the feeling of togetherness. We worship in unity and solidarity with those who mourn and those who rejoice. People have been through many different circumstances as we have been apart, and there will be all sorts of different reactions to being together again. Be sensitive to this and allow for some celebration of togetherness as you lead. Songs that corporately declare our faith will help achieve this.
2. Give the people what they have missed. Along with the celebration of being together again, people will be looking forward to favourite songs. A well-loved song may feel overplayed at your church, but it can help exercise the worship muscles that have not been used in a while.
3. Keep it simple. Overly lavish arrangements, extended instrumental breaks or confusing road maps for a song can hinder the congregation’s ability to engage and stay connected in worship. As I mentioned above, we haven’t flexed our worship muscles in a corporate music setting for some time. Make the progressions of your songs familiar or logical to allow the congregation the ability and space to connect with God, without being overly drawn to the music.
4. This is a particular opportunity. The break we have had from corporate worship is almost unprecedented, and with it comes a significant opportunity. Identify aspects that were not working or were not fruitful in your ministry that you might need to leave behind. An opportunity lies before us to create drastic change that can be positive for our congregation—not straight away, as I believe a season of enjoying worshipping together again is necessary. Busyness for its own sake, complacency in preparation and distractions that take our focus away from worship and ministry are all idols that can be set aside. This is “big picture” change that we can make because of our current situation. It is imperative to point out that any of these changes need to be prayerfully and carefully considered.

Keeping these thoughts in mind can help as your congregation transitions back to church in person. As we lead, we need to remember that above all else, our role is to serve our congregations and help facilitate the interaction between them and God.

Simon Gough is a specialist—new media, youth and worship arts in the music and gospel arts department at territorial headquarters.

Reprinted from MAGAzine.