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Pastor Dad and Mom - Tips on Executing A Family Worship Service in Lockdown by Pastor Kevin

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Hi Parents, unless you were a part of some type of house church movement at one point in your life, and I realize that some of you were, you probably are not equipped to execute a worship service on Sunday morning. I am in the same boat and I do this for a living. So most all of us find ourselves in uncharted territory, figuring this whole thing out as we go much like trying to build an airplane while it is flying through the air already.  After two weeks of this here are a few tips I have gleaned from my own experience and watching others do it. 

Here you go:

Select A Time To Worship And Stick To It: The beauty of this lockdown is extra sleep on Sunday morning. Who doesn't like the sound of that? Strangely enough, this doesn't often translate into a reduction of stress, however. Having kids of my own I know the  Wac-A-Mole routine and how much of a fight it can be to get everyone at the same time on the same page, especially if its not something they are bubbling over with excitement for. While we recommend worshipping on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. since this is our normal time for meeting you can choose whichever time you like. We are more concerned that you do it. Parents, give thought to what time you will worship and communicate it in advance to your household so everyone is clear on what the expectation is. Then stick to the plan. 

Get Up, Get Dressed, And Meet For Worship: I understand that you may not put on your "Sunday best" to hang out in your living room with a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. However, I recommend that you should all get up and get dressed for the day. It is nice to lounge around in your jammy's, not having to put on makeup,  maybe your hair might even be disheveled. When else can a grown up go to church much like a four year old goes to preschool? Avoid the temptation. Do your best not to go to church like this, even in your living room. The reason isn't legalistic, it has to do with the mindset of preparedness for the day. I would argue that when you are in your pj's it affects the way you approach everything. It's as if you are awake, but not quite ready for the day. Getting yourself and your family ready will help you to take church more seriously when you do meet.

Sit On The Right Chairs: If possible, don't sit on the couch. I have noticed that the temptation for my kids, and myself, is to lounge. Again, this isn't a sin but it does change the focus of the individual sloucher. It also sets the wrong mood for everyone else. Curling up on the couch is what you do when you watch a movie and you are, as the teens say it, "chillin.'" Church is a consecrated time because Christians are a consecrated people. As we consecrate our lives to God consecrate this time to him too. Therefore, make it different from the way that you watch your favorite comedy. Assuming you have enough kitchen chairs to have a meal together you should have enough kitchen chairs for everyone to sit on to watch the sermon. 

 Meet In The Right Room: Also consider which room might be best for you to meet in. Perhaps your kitchen chairs are better than your comfy recliner, this doesn't mean the kitchen area is the best room to meet in when the snacks and the coffee pot are in sight. Meet in the basement if possible where you will be less tempted to get up and get a snack or do chores. Wherever you meet make sure you outline the expectations to your kids, helping them to understand that everyone needs to cooperate to make it a sacred time.  

Do More Than Watch The Sermon: Watching the sermon is great  and if that is all you can really do we are happy for that. However, for the majority of you we are asking that you sing some songs, pay attention to announcements, tithe, and pray together. 

If Appropriate, Involve Your Kids: Let's face it, it is very difficult to replicate a Sunday morning worship service at home with only your family. We cannot match the sacredness, the anticipation, the seriousness, the gravity and the focus that comes when meeting together. Kids probably have the hardest part making this transition. Thus, involve them. Have your kids plan the songs that you will sing. I am willing to bet that your kids need things to do on Saturday's. Have them select worship songs, print lyrics/create power points with lyrics. With appropriate assistance, have your kids select who will do the welcome prayer and GCF announcements, have them select a Scripture reader for the sermon, and maybe someone to pray for the local/foreign missions or members in your community group. If your kids are old enough they may even share a communion devotion if dad and mom feel it is appropriate. Giving your kids responsibility to plan the worship service will help them feel like it is for them too. 

Use The Resources That Are Being Provided: Check the weekly electronic newsletter that is released on Friday at 5pm. The elders of GCF and the worship team have selected worship songs that go with the sermon and theme of Revelation. If you are not planning your own songs these are great resources to utilize. 

Pray: Pray for a fruitful time together before the worship service. Pray that God will show up and meet your family. As you devote that time to God pray that God will use it in the life of your household to build you up in your faith and consecrate you to God.

Do you have any other ideas? Please share insights you have gleaned from your own experiences!

 I pray that these ideas will inspire you to make your Sunday morning time fruitful for you and your household. May God richly bless you in it! 

 Blessings to you,
Pastor Kevin

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