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Resource will help create vibrant worship experiences

 


Resource will help create vibrant worship experiences

Sept. 28, 2004

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

LINK: Click to open full size version of image
A UMNS file photo by Mike DuBose

The Bering Memorial United Methodist Church Choir sings during morning worship at the 2004 General Conference.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-Handbells or guitars? Robes or jeans? Traditional sermon or a theatrical production?

How many ways are there to worship?

That’s the question being met head-on by the United Methodist Publishing House’s new Worship Connection, a one-stop place to find the latest worship-related resources. Worship Connection includes a Web site, www.worshipconnection.cokesbury.com, specialty catalogs and teaching conferences.

The Publishing House developed the program after a survey conducted in 2003 found that one in three clergy cite major changes in their worship services in the last five years-while half of the pastors at large churches (more than 500 members) cite major changes, said Susan Salley, a Publishing House executive and one of the developers of Worship Connection.

The survey also showed half of clergy are dissatisfied with the variety in their worship services, and one in three are dissatisfied with worship quality, style or the resources available to help, she said.

"Pastors are looking for new ideas, new tools, help with change management and dependable advice on new technology," she said. "We hope that through access to help, we can make finding worship resources easier and more inspiring."

The survey included 800 telephone interviews with pastors, more than half of whom report hosting two or more services. Of those with multiple services, 57 percent change worship styles for the services, which greatly impacts resource needs and planning.

One in three are already able to project slides, video or PowerPoint. An additional 20 to 30 percent would like to be able to project slides, images or video.

LINK: Click to open full size version of image
A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose
Participants at the Central Jurisdiction reunion sing during opening worship.
Regardless of the current approach to worship, when asked, "What would you like to do that you aren’t doing now?" the answers were similar in topic, Salley said. Twenty-five percent would like to update, change or expand music offerings, 25 to 30 percent want to add more media options, and 10 to 15 percent want to change or update worship style.

"The biggest obstacle to using new worship offerings is (getting) access to and understanding equipment," Salley said.

Since the site was launched May 1, visits have grown to 18,000 a month, she added.

Worship Connection Teaching Conferences will debut this fall, providing an opportunity to visit congregations on the leading edge of dynamic worship experiences, led by worship leaders who are using creative styles in their churches.

Scheduled events include:

  • Sept. 30-Oct. 2 - Indianapolis
    St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and The Garden
  • Nov. 4-6 - Shreveport, La.
    Grace Community United Methodist Church
  • March 15-19 - South Carolina (details to come)
    Worship-Focused Conference with Black Methodists for Church Renewal Annual Meeting
  • April 7-9 - Leawood, Kan. (greater Kansas City area)
    Church of the Resurrection
  • May 5-7 - New York City
    Christ Church

"We’ve seen new customers for both traditional resources like the United Methodist Worship and Music Planner and for new media resources like video clips and other worship-related software," Salley said.

Cokesbury stores are partnering with conferences to demonstrate media options for all styles of worship service. The first demonstration was hosted by the Philadelphia store at the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual (regional) Conference this summer.

"Through our teaching conferences, we’ll connect phenomenal worship leaders, musicians and pastors, writers and thinkers in a hands-on setting," Salley said. "The best help we can give is this opportunity for conversation, exploration and sharing."

More information and registration details for the teaching conferences are available at WorshipConnection.com.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer in Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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