A Volley from the Canon, Number 136, Job Number One

A VOLLEY FROM THE CANON, NUMBER 136 “What Must We Do to Be Saved?” Small Congregations Plead For Their Lives Part V: “JOB NUMBER ONE” The Church is not a social club. It is the Body of Jesus Christ, a radical, subversive organization bent on changing the world, not by the application of worldly power (as some Christians mistakenly attempt), but through modeling ourselves after the teaching and example of Jesus, and by inviting others to do so as well. The best description of our modus operandi is found in our Baptismal Covenant, one of the great contributions of the present Book of Common Prayer. Looking for a good text for a teaching series? There you have it. As a Ministry Team is forming and preparing itself for leadership and ministry in the congregation, that process itself goes very far toward deepening and enriching the spiritual life of those people, and of the congregation at large. Following up on that, there is more to be done to keep the focus on God. This is not an exhaustive list, but here are some points to consider. 1. What happens on Sunday morning, at the worship liturgies of the congregation, is of paramount importance. Every celebration, whether Morning Prayer or Eucharist, must be carefully planned, prepared in detail, and deliberately focused on the prayer life of the people. 2. Episcopal worship is not about the relationship of the people with one another. It is about their relationship with God. It is vertical, not horizontal. We relate to one another before and after worship, not during, except cooperatively. 3. That doesn’t mean that there is any excuse for poorly delivered, inaudible, reading, or rambling, inarticulate, or pointless sermons. We offer to God our very best in quality and effort. Preachers, if your sermon consists of re-telling what one of the scripture lessons already say, go back and work on it some more. 4. EVERYONE is a “performer” of worship. There are no spectators! The audience to worship is God and the angels, not the people in the pews. That is why the prayer book was placed into our hands in the first place, so that we could all be full participants in worship. 5. Any way in which we act like an audience is counterproductive to liturgical worship. That means NO APPLAUSE! By all means, we should tell musicians, lectors, preachers, and acolytes how much we appreciate their offerings in worship. No one ever tires of hearing they are doing a great job. But let them offer their gifts freely and generously, without reducing them to the role of entertainers. What a great teaching opportunity this is for children! 6. The Prayer Book is our friend, not our enemy. Use it, in accordance with the rubrics. It is fine the way it is, and does not require the amendments of any of us clergy. 7. Music selection is extremely important to worship. Don’t try to use every hymn in Hymns 1982. It is meant to be an anthology, widely inclusive; not every selection is appropriate for every congregation (some, questionably appropriate for any!) Use other resources, too. What the congregation is invited to sing MUST be singable by the congregation, and each must contribute to the atmosphere of reverence and worship. Yet reverence does not mean moroseness! Lively worship is reverent, too. 8. A small congregation should not try to imitate the music of a large one. Use hymns particularly easy for non-musicians to sing, since everyone needs to participate without inhibition. Use soloists or small groups for special music. Keep it prayerful, not performance. 9. Provide for opportunities for private prayer. A votive stand, a holy water font, an intercessory prayer station, an icon or other focal point for prayer, brief moments of silence in the liturgy—all these and more can be very conducive to spiritual expression. 10. Do something to make the Prayers of the People truly that, and not a laundry list, dreadfully read. Here, be creative, within the framework offered by the BCP. (This may call for a volley of its own.) 11. The worship space is made holy by the prayers of generations offered there. Make it express that reality in immaculate, non-cluttered, spiritually-focused appearance. Take a hard look. Are those banners, made by children in 1967, really needed now? The Church is not a refrigerator door. By all means, find ways to include the efforts and contributions of all members—but not necessarily as permanent fixtures building up over the decades in the worship space. (There are other locations where that kind of historical collection can be maintained.) Father Fabulous placed that tacky sign there in 1972, and we love Father Fabulous, at least those living who remember him. But the sign must go! 12. Teach. Teach. Teach. 13. Have teaching missions and preaching missions for occasional, focused growth. VBS, or its equivalent through the year, is not just for children! 14. Regularly, at least twice per year, offer orientation to the Episcopal Church to anyone who might be interested (and cultivate that interest among newer participants.) Our communion does fill a unique niche of Christian practice, and it needs to be shared and understood. 15. Be visible in the community as a worshiping body. Observe the holy days of observation, and publicize them. Many non-Episcopalians would like to observe Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, All Saints Day, and other observances. Ring that church bell! Even a handful of worshipers can experience God’s presence. 16. Remember, it is not about ME. Preaching is not about the preacher. Celebrating Eucharist is not about the celebrant. Singing is not about the singer, nor is playing the organ (or whatever) about the organist. Distributing the Eucharist is not about the patenist, or the chalicist. People do not come to church to gaze into OUR loving eyes: they come to meet Jesus. 17. Plan every gathering of God’s people for worship to be a meaningful, enriching, not-to-be-missed occasion. Step back and get out of God’s way.