How Many People does it take to have Worship on Sunday?

The Bible says:   "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."  (Matthew 18:20).  There are many examples of Worship in the early church.  In the book of Acts Chapter 2 verses 42-47 everyone met together and shared everything in common.  Also, in Acts chapter 6 verses 1-7, Elders were chosen to distribute the food to the Widows.  Worship usually centered on the proclamation of the Word, the sharing of resources and breaking of bread.   As you read Scripture and church histories it is interesting to see how our worship has evolved into what it is today.  The most important thing is we meet together and encourage one another as written in Hebrews chapter 10 verses 24 and 25.  This worship is centered around the forgiveness of sins won for us by Christ on the cross.

So how many people does it take to have worship on Sunday?  The way we worship here at Christ Our Savior, meeting the expectations people have for worship, it takes at least 15 people in various roles.  I will start with the preparation.   First there is an expectation that there be a building that is clean, temperature controlled and accessible.  This takes at least one person and can take more depending on the weather.  On an average Sunday there should be at least one person who knows about the environmental controls to manage the thermostats. There needs to be maintenance and cleaning.  Buildings are important but they are not essential to worship.  Still this is an expectation people have when they come to worship.

Second there is an expectation that there be an order of service and music for worship.  This includes bulletin preparation, power point presentation, music selection, musicians, service planning and someone needs to have all of this in place on Sunday when people arrive to Worship.   This could be four or five different people depending on the number of musicians and the number of people involved in decisions about music and worship.

Third there is an expectation that there is a greeting when people walk in the doors or park in the lot.  There should be at least one Greeter for every entrance to the church.   The minimum number of Greeters should be two.   The Greeter should introduce themselves to visitors and members.  The Greeters could hand out the attendance cards with instruction and explanation of the reason and value for these cards.  There could be as many as four Greeters for each service.

Fourth the tradition is that there are Ushers.  They count attendance.  They take the offering and facilitate the orderly movement during the sacrament.  The Ushers should be at the Church early to unlock the doors and turn on the lights.  Also, the Ushers should stay after service to make sure the lights are off and the doors are locked.   Ushers should make sure the candles get lit and the offering is gathered and properly managed.  There should be at least 2 Ushers for each service.

Fifth the expectation is that people can hear the service and not have to listen to the Pastor sing off key.  Therefore it is important to have someone who can run the soundboard.  The power point slide should be changed and any special music or videos should be cued and played.  It would be a bonus if this person could capture the worship service on an audio or video media.   This takes at least one person at every service.

Sixth the theory is that it is nice if someone beside the Pastor reads the lessons.  This person is called a Lector.  The expectation is that the person who is the Lector will read the first and second reading with the introductions provided.  This takes one person for every service.

Seventh there is a need for a Communion Assistant for every service.   As Lutherans we take the body and blood of Christ in with and under the bread and wine.  The Communion Assistant distributes the bread.  The pastor follows and distributes the wine.   The Communion Assistant also communes the pastor and communicates any special needs for communion with the pastor that come from the ushers or greeters. 

Eighth there should be an Acolyte.  The pre-confirmands can serve in this role.  They light the candles on the Altar before the worship.  During Advent they light the Advent wreath.  They pick up the empty communion cups.  At the end of worship they extinguish the candles and take the lit taper from the church.  The Acolyte can be assigned special responsibilities depending on the service.  They assist the pastor during the service serving as an extra set of hands.

Ninth, I should have also mentioned that part of the preparation for worship is the preparation of the wine and wafers for communion.  This is usually done by an Alter Guild who is also responsible for the Alter covers, candles, banners and flowers.   Also, they clean up the communion ware after the worship service. They make sure there are enough supplies for communion and candles. 

Tenth we need at least three counters every Sunday.  This group makes sure the offering is counted and deposited.  They make sure that contributions are properly credited and recorded.   This group keeps the records of giving and make sure this gets passed on to the financial secretary who enters this data and prepares the statements for contributions. 

As I read through this list I might have forgotten someone.  I think that every member of the congregation is critical to worship in the church.  By attending worship we encourage one another.  When God's people join together in praising their Lord it is beautiful process rich in grace.   It is nice if someone makes coffee.  If there are visitors does the person sitting next to them acknowledge them and answers questions about the worship service?  We could have someone do the children message.  This list is not exhaustive.  I am working on another list of what it takes to have a good education ministry at the church.  The purpose of this list is to solicit your help.  These roles are being filled by members of the congregation.  Some members are filling more than one role.  Sometimes activities go undone.  Are you willing to help and serve our Lord?

Pastor