A Quick List of Suggestions for Alternative Worship

We hope you'll want to purchase our resources on alternative worship, but we're also pleased to share with you a short list of suggestions that have been helpful to a large number of congregations.
  1. The most common problem that we have found in congregations which begin a separate alternative worship service (with more contemporary music, the use of drama and video instead of a traditional sermon, a more informal style of worship, . . . .) is that the new service is started with the involvement of too few people. While it may be true that the service itself can be most efficiently planned by a group of perhaps five or six people, the service will be far better attended if the list of people helping in some way includes thirty or forty people. Involve as many as possible in worship leadership, music, drama, childcare, greeting and ushering, publicity, sound system management, and as many other responsibilities as you can identify. Those who have been asked to help will come themselves, will bring their family members, and will invite others to come.
  2. Many churches don't feel ready to start a separate alternative worship. These churches are often seeking to introduce a more contemporary or alternative style of worship into existing traditional services. Their efforts are often successful but can also result in criticism from those who are only comfortable with the more traditional style of worship. Have those who want alternative services share their appreciation with the congregation and interpret on a regular basis why they are more comfortable with alternative styles. Use the bulletin or worship program, the church newsletter, and short comments during the worship service. The process of interpretation should be seen as a continuing one in many congregations.
  3. If you can't afford a large screen and video projector arrangement but still want to use video clips in worship, consider using cables to link multiple television sets to the same VCR. The equipment to do that is relatively inexpensive and is available from stores like Radio Shack.
  4. Don't be limited in your selection of videos to those that have been produced for Christian churches. If you are truly seeking to hold the attention of a younger audience with alternative worship, consider using video clips from popular motion pictures which are available on video or DVD. Movies like Schindler's List, The Titanic, Steel Magnolias, Sleepless in Seattle, Chocolate, The Chronicles of Narnia, Walk the Line, and many others have scenes which speak to the human condition in meaningful ways. Provide a short introduction, use a three to fifteen minute video clip, and then offer a Scripture reading and brief commentary thatare relevant to the life issues raised in the video clip.
  5. When doing drama in the church, give special attention to the sound system. Have a microphone for each person, or have microphones appropriately spaced so that everyone can hear. If your church is small and does not have a sound system, be sure that participants have sufficient practice in projecting their voices. One of the major reasons that long-time members object to drama in the church is the fact that they can't hear the drama!
  6. Remember that the pastor has a key role in interpreting alternative worship services to the congregation. While the pastor may share the planning and leadership responsibility for alternative worship with several other people, it's crucial that he or she be a cheerleader for the alternative services.
  7. Pay close attention to the theology of the contemporary music you use. A great deal of the available contemporary Christian music is dynamic and appealing but some projects a theology that is uncomfortable for many congregations. Be sure the contemporary songs that you sing reflect the beliefs of your tradition.