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Group #2 – The Called Rosa Cochran Jodi Kasten Dex Phillips Christina Pittman Michael Poplin Janet Wright Erik Zeterberg Mentor: Michelle Alexander

(Slide One) “The Called” Presents The 2017 Leadership UMC (LUMC) Research Project Group #2 Rosa Cochran, Jodi Kasten, Dex Phillips, Christina Pittman, Michal Poplin, Janet Wright, Erik Zeterberg

April 28, 2017

(Slide Two) Introduction Research Assignment How can providing worship services that appeal to different age groups and interests increase the vitality of the local church? (Slide Three) Mission of the United Methodist Church: “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” achieved through vital congregations that equip and empower people to be disciples of Jesus Christ in their homes and communities around the world.1 (Slide Four) Understanding the Vitality of an UMC Congregation?

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Spirit-filled, forward-leaning communities of believers that welcome all people (Gal.3:28)

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Places where disciples of Jesus Christ are made through the power of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:18-20)

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Communities that serve like Christ through justice and mercy ministries (Micah 6:8, Luke 4:17-21) (Slide Five) How UMC measures Vitality?

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Inviting and inspiring worship

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Engaged disciples in mission and outreach

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Gifted, empowered and equipped lay leadership

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Effective, equipped and inspired clergy leadership

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Small Group ministries

1 UMC.org

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Strong children’s & youth ministries2 (Slide Six) The Array of Denomination Tools Engagement, Worship Styles, Outreach Programs

• Today’s society does not see church attendance as compulsory as it was just fifty years
• ago. Decline in regular church attendance overall after a peak in 1975, even as the US

population increases.

• The Methodist Church has experienced decrease on the single-church level as worship

choices expand. (Slide Seven) Total Mainline Church Membership (1925-2000) Resource: ChristianCentury.org

2 UMC.org

(Slide Eight) Denominational Membership (1925-2000) Resource: ChristianCentury.org (Slide Nine) Vital Congregations Are... I. Established Common church buildings and denominational association are no longer requirements for a vibrant and active congregation.

II. Personal Choice Large population of adults 50+ in the United States versus the tastes of younger “millennial” counterparts under the age of 30. III. Declining Church Attendance Results in new and innovative forms of worship. IV. Comfortable and Predictable Christianity Traditional Christian worship styles (Separation of Children, Hymns, Narthex Sermons), Set liturgical order (Season/Events variances throughout year) (Slide Ten) Traditional Brick and Mortar 1) Music (singing, instruments, sheet music) 2) Non-Traditional Worship (formations) 3) Children and Youth Worship (role play) 4) “Fresh Expressions” (beyond customary) 5) Independent Survey (communications) (Slide Eleven)

Music

(Slide Twelve) Music Ready ourselves fore the opening messages of worship: heart, mind and soul. Concerns for happiness:  music selections  amount of music  sound delivery  congregational participation

(Slide Thirteen) Four Important Reasons We Worship with Music 1) Spotlight significant liturgical moments 2) Enable groups of people to unite as one voice 3) Respond to God using the unique language of music 4) Inspire and support members of the Church (Slide Fourteen) Contemporary Worship Aides (Psalm 98:4):  Beauty and Emotion3 (appearance)  Present (occupancy)  Willingness (one body, one note) (Slide Fifteen) Contemporary Music Praise (introduce modern coexistence)

 introduce a link to their past (familiar archive: hymn)  introduce Youth Sundays (special services)  introduce invitations by non-traditional services (familiar favorite: modern)  introduce cross-pollinate music experiences (span age differences)  introduce new open doors with worship (satisfy congregations)

(Slide Sixteen) Contemporary Services:  Modern, non-hymn music performed by a Band rather than an Organ, Piano or Choir (traditional worship services).  Music becomes a concert or a detached performance rather than an act of worship.4

3 Introduction to Christian Worship by James F. White (pgs. 112,113) 4 Introduction to Christian Worship by James F. White (pg. 118)

 Music appeals to worshippers under the age of 30.  The Vital Parts of Contemporary Worship (services): 5 God speaks to us, We address God and We speak to one another. (Slide Seventeen)

Non-Traditional Worship Styles

(Slide Eighteen) Non-Traditional Worship Styles “Worship” defined. “reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred” or “the act of showing respect and love for a god especially by praying with other people who believe in the same.”6 (Slide Nineteen) Worship Acknowledgements.  He is as God as He is as Savior (diversity)  His power and deity of God (gratitude)  Who He is (individual life)  His activity (lives of people) (Slide Twenty) Congregational Arts: Age, Stage and Interest

• 1. Talents: expression of dance, song, banners and flags, painting,
• 2. Gifts: match the congregation in praying and giving to expression of service/worship

Thanks to the creator of those talents fore He comes alive with vitality our Talents and Gifts in serving God.

5 Introduction to Christian Worship by James F. White (pg. 169) 6 Merriam-Webster Dictionary

(Slide Twenty-One) Question: “Should we raise our hands/clap our hands during worship?” Answer: Exalt His name and offer Him both the lifting of hands and the clapping of hands as an act of worship. “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” (Psalm 47:1) “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” (Timothy 2:8) (Slide Twenty-Two) Question: "Dance in worship - what does the Bible say?" Answer: People dancing are an act of worship. Psalm 149:3 encourages the use of dancing to worship God: “Let them praise his name with dancing!” (Slide Twenty-Three)

Witness Expressions

Witnessing a variety of Worship Expressions are the acknowledgement of the impression of who God is in accordance with Scripture. Valid expressions by youth or adults are freestyle or choreographed painting, waving, dancing, and singing. (Slide Twenty-Four) Four Reasons to Offer Multiple Worship Styles7

• 1. It is absolutely necessary for the unity of the church.
• 2. You truly have multiple types of congregations.
• 3. You have an abundance of different types of musicians.
• 4. It is a part of a prayerful and well-thought strategy.

(Slide Twenty-Five)

Children & Youth in Worship

(Slide Twenty-Six)

Children & Youth Worship  Although some people have drifted away or never had membership in the Church brings them back as becoming parents.  Not all congregations do a good job of welcoming children and youth. However, families to a congregation and makes it a place where people want to stay.

7 Five Reasons to Have Multiple Styles of Worship – Ranier on Leadership (#268)

 As attendance grows, so does the participation of extended family in worship service. This is documented through families to a congregation and makes it a place where people want to stay.

(Slide Twenty-Seven)

Children & Youth Worship Different Points of View. 

Many people differ on children’s participation in worship, and how they should do so meaningfully if they do.

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Author Carolyn C. Brown beliefs say, “Worship is the heart of the congregation. Everyone has different interests, such as pastoral care or missions, but in worship you build

• community. Children need to see themselves as part of a community of all ages who share
• commitments. I can't imagine a person of any age being thought of as part of the

congregation but not being part of worship" (Slide Twenty-Eight) Children’s Attention. Hearing the Bible read and preached in Worship has a different impact than studying it. "One Sunday a grandfather, father, and pre-teen daughter, all from the same family, took turns reading verses of Psalm 139 during the service. It was very moving for the adults to hear a child read, 'You knit me together in my mother's womb.' Kids paid attention simply because someone their own age was up there," says Brown. (Slide Twenty-Nine) Interplay Between Generations. "The Bible is very clear from the get-go that we are called to be God's family. The interplay between generations and levels of wisdom feeds the whole community. Funneling everyone into their own worship setting or niche loses the truth of all generations worshiping together," Carolyn says. Teenagers who've been segregated into "youth services," instead of attending worship with their families, will graduate from high school never having built worship patterns with adults. (Slide Thirty) Teenager Growth in Worship Planning is essential for consideration of age appropriateness. The pastor and worship team are responsible for keeping activity light-hearted yet meaningful.

(Slide Thirty-One) Children & Youth CAN:

• Act as acolytes
• Sing periodically with

the adult choir

• Read

litanies/scriptures

• Act as

greeters/ushers to collect the offering

• Play a musical

instrument

• Wave palm branches
• Light advent candles
• Assist with serving

communion

• Wave palm branches
• Sing in a children’s

choirs/sing solos

• Read Bible

verses/offer prayer

• Participate in flag

ceremonies (Slide Thirty-Two) Children & Youth Enjoyment Children generally enjoy praise and worship time in a service with the rest of the congregation, can clap, move, and feel free to express themselves. This inclusiveness of children and youth in worship services is a meaningful worshipful way toward increasing the vitality. (Slide Thirty-Three)

Fresh Expressions

(Slide Thirty-Four)

Fresh Expressions Goals our call to love God and to love our neighbor as we do ourselves

O Commitment. O Inspire faithful discipleship. O Make them feel welcome. O Practice genuine hospitality to people. O Remain faithful. O Renew existing memberships. O Transform the world.

(Slide Thirty-Five) Fresh Expressions

“Called to Action.” 1) Experiencing decline and loss of vitality in congregation. 2) Form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of those who

are not yet part of any church

3) Form faith communities especially for those who have never been involved in church (un-

churched) or who have left the church (de-churched).

4) Be a forward-leaning Church that addresses the challenges of our day and to grow vitality in our congregations.

(Slide Thirty-Six)

Existing Church Complement the Church and come to birth alongside serving people well beyond the fringe can affirm and support membership. This is known as the “mixed economy” church Fresh Expressions welcome new people beyond the four walls of a traditional church. Below are some unique forms of worship that have effectively engaged people who are not yet Christian or part of a church.

(Slide Thirty-Seven)

Fresh Expression No. One

"Diner Church" meets on Monday nights at dinner time. Participants can enjoy a meal, chat with friends, and listen to a brief sermon from the Rev. Tom Arthur of Sycamore Creek United Methodist Church in Lansing, Michigan. Arthur says churches today have to adapt and get out into the world. "We found that following Jesus is rarely convenient, but getting together with

• ther people to worship, to learn, to study, to grow, has got to become more convenient,"

(Slide Thirty-Eight)

Fresh Expression No. Two

Stillwater United Methodist Church meet at the YMCA near Dayton, Ohio for Sunday morning worship with workouts. For an hour, the basketball court is transformed from a place for hoops into a holy sanctuary. Rev. Leroy Chambliss said "We'll have an altar, we have the chairs, and

we have the screens. We have everything that you would find in a church kneeling rails and a prayer wall and people can feel like they're actually worshipping here." (Slide Thirty-Nine)

Fresh Expression No. Three

Wildwood United Methodist Church in Wildwood, Fla., which holds a service at a tattoo parlor where the Rev. Michael Beck leads a Bible study to share the gospel with workers and customers as they are getting inked. (Slide Forty)

Fresh Expression No. Four

Wesley Chapel United Methodist - McDonough, Ga. - Rev. William Bert Neal, III. has held worship service at:

• Local park to expose the community to Sunday morning
• Worship with tailgating and fun activities.
• Wednesday night worship for your adults working on Sunday.
• Easter Sunday morning service on the city square

Worship at apartment complex in their Community Room (Slide Forty-One)

Fresh Expressions Membership Experiences

• Alt. worship communities

Churches arise from community initiatives School-base congregations and churches Café church Multiple and midweek congregations Traditional church plan Cell phone based church Network focused churches Youth congregations Just as Christ came to the people where they lived and worked, so must the modern church step

• utside to meet the people and stop waiting for the people to come to the church.

(Slide Forty-Two)

Independent Survey

(Slide Forty-Three) Independent Survey Theme: What types of worship would be best in a vital Church service in today’s world? How would that best reach others for Christ? Survey: Team member Michael Poplin conducted such a survey. The survey consisted of 300 people with age ranges from 10 years old to 91 years old. This large an age range was divided into groups and responses were varied.

Questions: When asked what type service would best serve their Church (Slide Forty-Four) Age Group 10—18 responded “traditional service” like they had grown up with would be best.

In a Group of 75, 55 responded “traditional service” while the remaining 20 said that a

“contemporary or more modern service” both in form and music would be best. (Slide Forty-Five) 18-25 age group: preferred a more “contemporary service” structure and music an early time would be best along with a service in the late afternoon to early evening. 25-45 age group: service that mixed the two styles of worship about equally felt a contemporary service would be beneficial to bring a younger restricting the service to just one hour. 45-60 age group: while open to contemporary style of worship, leaned more towards a traditional structure of worship with some contemporary music that was “appropriate.” 60-91 age group: the most open to contemporary-style services and loosely structured

• worship. They were the ones most open to new ideas on worship to revitalize the community.

(Slide Forty-Six) Independent Survey: Respective Afterthoughts While traditional worship was necessary, it was also important to listen to and meet the needs

• f younger members through contemporary forms of worship, whether in structure or music.

By so doing we make them a vital part of worship, equipping them to reach the world for Christ and keeping the Church a witness to the community. Clergy & Lay leaders should be in conversation with members of all ages because congregations vary. (Slide Forty-Seven) Conclusion Worship forms are changing and growing throughout the world in every denomination. As a congregation ages and tastes change strike a balance between the comfort of familiarity and the excitement of finding expressing God’s love through the arts Creating worship services which appeal to all ages and interests is a challenge, but it is absolutely essential if churches are to remain vital in the future. The Methodists remain brave to forge a path into the future in the name of Jesus Christ. (Slide Forty-Eight) Thank You and Questions