- Contemporary worship planning emphasizes the team approach. In fact, the key leaders of worship like the pastor, musicians and singers more and more are referred to as worship teams. Therefore, communication and interaction among a church's worship leadership is key to planning and carrying out effective, meaningful worship of God. A number of websites, like Musicademy, offer resources to enhance this teamwork approach.
- Even the smallest churches nowadays often are made up of a diverse membership---especially in terms of educational levels, musical tastes and affinities for particular social activities. This presents a challenge for planners to provide a congregation a worship experience in which each member can find some significant level of meaning. Effective planning necessitates involvement of church members who are not a part of the regular or ongoing worship leadership team and represent divergent views and tastes. The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship emphasizes the need "to include and integrate a variety of voices into broader conversations about worship renewal."
- In the last 15 years or so, many churches have incorporated the idea of blended worship to meet the needs of increasingly diverse congregations. Ron Man, on the Experiencing Worship Web resource, defines blended worship as "the artful weaving together of varying musical styles and other elements into a seamless tapestry which honors the Lord without alienating any particular group." This particular approach to planning may be the way to go, especially for churches with attendance that does not allow for scheduling of an extra service in the style, say, of more contemporary worship forms as opposed to more traditional ones.
- You usually don't have to impress upon musicians and choirs the importance of rehearsal before worship. But rehearsal is also important to all parts of worship, especially for participants who may be performing a function for the first time. Whether it be a child who may have acolyte or candle-lighting responsibilities or a liturgist or reader who is unfamiliar with the peculiarities of a sound system, rehearsal can prevent moments of consternation or embarrassment.
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Planners sometimes consider ways to move worshipers out of their comfort zone, so to speak, as far as trying new types and styles of worship activities. But, this does not mean moving them into the danger zone. Years ago, a particular service was planned in which the congregants, at an appointed time, processed out of the worship auditorium and onto the high, steep steps that fronted the church. The idea was to symbolize taking the gospel message out into the world. Unfortunately, one elderly member fell and rolled down some of the steps. Fortunately, she was not seriously injured.
Always consider the safety and security of a congregation in worship planning.
