What makes a worship service effective?

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A professor who teaches a seminary course in worship has identified 10 ways to improve church worship services: 1) Focus on God in every element of worship. 2) Have clear biblical support for every worship element. 3) Cultivate an atmosphere of reverence and awe. 4) Preach the text of God’s Word. 5) Read the Scriptures clearly with reverence and awe. 6) Pray worshipfully. 7) In moving from one worship element to another, help worshipers make the transition. 8) Engage the audience, don’t just entertain them. 9) Let musical instruments accompany worshipers, not drown them out. 10) Evaluate the services each week. When the Apostle Paul was giving instructions on worship to the believers at Corinth, he stressed the critical goal of building up people during worship and he told them to exercise spiritual gifts orderly to avoid confusion. Worship is foremost focusing on God—His nature and character. We gather to learn of Him, and to respond to Him in love and obedience. Secondarily, we gather to build up each other so they, too, will know, grow, and go forth to serve God in appropriate ways. Finally, we keep in mind Paul’s counsel in 1 Corinthians 14:40, to “do all things decently and in order.”