The Session of St. Andrew’s has grappled with the issue of worship, and invited the congregation to do the same. In an effort to respond in a Christian manner to both the expressed desires of 56% of the congregation, and the shifting culture outside our walls, the Session has unanimously agreed to begin a second and distinct worship service, called Encounter.
In addition, we will also come together for a whole church worship service on high holy days and significant Sundays.
This service will reflect various styles meaningful to our community at St. Andrew’s.
In this brochure are some of the most common questions, but it is not exhaustive. We invite you to speak with your elder, your director of congregational development or your minister.
Why consider it?
There are three issues that surfaced in our discussions and congregational consultations:
“Worship as Witness” – God came as Jesus Christ, a Jewish Carpenter, to the Jews of Palestine. He spoke the people’s language and used examples that farmers and fishermen would understand. A Christian community’s primary purpose is to continue Christ’s message of declaring the good news: that God’s love was seen in Christ. Since worship is still the main way people explore most churches, it is important that we use forms and examples that are easily relatable to our community.
“Radical Hospitality” – Each one within our walls should be able to find a place and have a voice. No group should be given more influence than another. Each should feel that this is their community.
“Unity, not Uniformity” – We don’t have to be same to be united. The human body is made up of many members, but has one head and is fed by the same blood. Our diversity can bring strength when each expression and each function are all subject to Christ, empowered and guided by Christ’s spirit and motivated by Christ’s mission: to share the love of God.
What will it look like?
It will be comparable to the service we experienced on February 18th, involving a band and vocal team, in a casual atmosphere. It will continue to reflect a Reformed order of worship, including being called to worship by the scriptures, confessing our sin in prayer and receiving God’s assurance, bringing gifts to God, and hearing God’s word – scriptures and message together– and allowing time for a heartfelt response.
When will it be?
Beginning April 15th, 2007, Encounter will be at 11:30am, following our original 10am service.
Who will it involve?
Our minister and the director of congregational development will be involved in both services.
There will be Elders at both services.
You are invited to worship in whichever service you feel most comfortable, but are encouraged to get involved and participate in our worship, no matter which service its in.
We will depend on volunteers to serve in the band, as vocalists and in the various other areas needed.
Who will implement it?
An implementation committee has been struck by our Session and will be responsible to make this vision a reality.
In addition, a second worship committee has been struck to settle many of the ongoing specifics that may arise.
You can begin to pray that God will draw people to worship at St. Andrew’s, that wisdom will be granted to the implementation team, and that you will know what your role is in this new season.
Regular updates will be provided as details are settled.
What will we do to bring the community together?
In addition to a coffee time taking place between services, Session is striking a social committee to organize whole church, ‘connection’ events – ideal for gathering the church and inviting friends. More information will follow.
Why Call it “Encounter”?
It is our prayer that this will be an opportunity for attendees to ‘encounter’ the love of God through God’s people in worship and through the presence of the living Christ.
What impact will this have on the original service?
The same effort and energy will be invested in making the original service an impacting and meaningful experience. There are no structural changes that will take place, though it is likely there will be some fluctuation in attendance at that service, as parishioners find an expression that best fits them.
What will it cost financially?
There are no ongoing, operational costs.
But why now, if our church isn’t fighting overcrowding yet?
There are two reasons for a second worship service. First, because growth demands it. Second, because a desire to reach an audience not being reached demands it. Encounter is about the second. It is not only about making room for those within our community, but especially for those outside our walls.
It is an effort to reproduce our vibrant faith into the lives of others; an investment of time and energy so that others can experience what we enjoy weekly.
It is an acceptance that, while our forms are meaningful for many, others may find them difficult to relate to.
Encounter is about making space in our community so growth can occur.
If people choose to go to both services will the message be exactly the same?
The short answer is “No.”
While the scripture reference and theme may be identical, the message during ‘Encounter’ will focus more extensively on life application, while being delivered in an interactive style.
How will this impact our children’s programs?
Programs geared to children will continue in both services, though what it will look like is still to be worked out. The implementation team will be meeting with the Sunday School teachers in the coming weeks to work out details. After the recommendation is submitted to and approved by session it will be shared with the congregation..
Will this service be Presbyterian?
All that takes place within the service will be under the care and guidance of our Session, and through them the Presbytery and the General Assembly of our national church. These elders were called by us, and charged with the responsibility of our spiritual care and guidance—that will continue through Encounter.
In addition, Encounter will employ a Reformed order of worship, as our original service does. Participants will be called to worship by the scriptures, confess sin in prayer and receive God’s assurance, bring their gifts to God, and hear God’s word – scriptures and message together– and allow time for a meaningful response.
In these senses, it will be fully Presbyterian.
Will a second service exhaust our workers?
No, unless we leave the work of St. Andrew’s with only a few people. Since there are more than enough in the congregation to do Christ’s work at St. Andrew’s, the question is, are there too few people doing too much work?
Each of us share in Christ’s mandate, and are responsible to continue his work. Encounter is one way to do that. Is it something you can invest time and energy in? If not, than is there another way you can give yourself to Christ’s work?
When each member of the human body does what it was created to do, health is the result. So, also, with the Church!
Isn’t Encounter-style worship more of a performance than worship?
It may feel that way for some, but others have said the same of our original service.
In the end, what is meaningful for each is dependent on what symbols we are familiar with, how those symbols are understood and the culture within which they were formed, in addition to a variety of other factors.
Though some of these are different from our own, should we judge them as any less valuable?
Differences need not lead to disunity.
It is a great expression of love to learn and respect how another perceives and understands—it is a greater act of love to speak to him or her in that language.
Encounter is an effort by St. Andrew’s to do that.
Carruther’s Creek Community Church (C4), a large church in Ajax just combined their two different services into one. If they can’t do it, how can we?
We spoke with a staff member of C4 and confirmed that they did do two different worship styles for number of years and are now enjoying the benefits of that investment. They are at a different stage of life, more comparable to parents whose children are teens or adults.
Their attempts to connect with the culture have reached maturity and they are now more concerned with maintaining what has been accomplished.
St. Andrew’s is in a different place—perhaps comparable to young couple, considering whether to have a baby or not. Encounter would be that baby. In a few years time, when Encounter has grown-up, perhaps we will look to combine the services. Only time will tell.
What if different generations end up worshipping separately?
Encounter is a different style, so it is conceivable that people from many backgrounds would appreciate it. In many churches that are using this two service format, there will always be an age or ethnic group that is more prominent than others, but all would be welcome in either service.
This is already the case at St. Andrew’s, where over 50% of our Sunday morning worshippers are in the same stage of life, though all are welcome. In the same way, Encounter would not exclude anyone, but may make many feel more comfortable.
Our whole-church services on high holy days and other special Sundays will be a great way to bring all generations together for worship that will be customized worshippers from both services.
What if two services break up families, when some members choose to go to Encounter?
In terms of church attendance, our Session has noted that families are already breaking up. In many cases, parents continue to attend while children prefer not to, either attending elsewhere or not at all.
As children age, they often adopt forms of faith they can call their own. can provide one such expression, keeping them associated with our church, and so with their family that attends.
Of course, family’s will come together during high holy days and other special Sunday services.
What can I do to help?
We depend on congregation members to pray, serve on various teams, invite their friends & family, and attend with them. Prayerfully consider what role God would have you play.