It may appear that the only change today is in the speaker-an exchange of the "proper use of the voice" for an amplification system. She addressed audiences of many thousands with ease.
White said that with proper use of the voice one could speak to thousands as easily as to hundreds. Should the one who prays audibly stand, especially when he is to use a microphone? Right here permit a digression on the subject of public-address systems.īefore the days of electronics, preachers either made themselves heard or quit preaching. That is the only proper position for worship. Unless unusual conditions prevent, the congregation should kneel for prayer. Otherwise depend on a simple, direct "will lead us in prayer." Therefore, if you use figures of speech, change the figure frequently. The effect of the metaphor becomes lost and the expression becomes hackneyed or cliche. However, here is a caution: Figures of speech lose their effectiveness if repeated too often. If we next say, "Brother Thomas will lead us to the throne of grace," that is a fine poetic expression for a most sacred act of worship. Here again, whatever the method of announcing the song, let it be pointed toward worship and spiritual meaning, not toward persons or apparatus of any kind.
The old custom of "lining" has long been a vestigial remains, but an occasional reading of a stanza may well call attention to meanings that have been overlooked in the singing of hymns. Avoid saying, "In harmony with this sentiment, let us sing -." Instead, plan a carefully worded sentence possibly leading to a reading of some words from the song. Select a song that fits the preliminary statement. " Better yet, plan a transition from your beginning to your song and let it be a real, not a forced, transition. If you have already had a song service or an "opening," don't open the meeting again by saying, "Let us open our meeting by singing _. If he feels deeply the sacredness of the occasion and the meaning of the words he uses, the congregation will follow him and will be genuinely alive. He can thus, within the forms of worship, create a depth of devotion he could never reach by putting himself forward. The duty of the leader is to subordinate himself, to be possessed of the spirit of worship and the Holy Spirit. Within that form real, deep religion can be found, as it cannot in the other type. It means the subordination of the individual to the form and spirit of worship. But ritual, rightly used, is necessary to group worship in its highest phases. When any program descends to mere ritualism it is indeed dead. Less disturbance will result from remaining seated, and all will stand for singing in a few minutes anyway.Īll these partake of ritualism, and I hear some experienced Sabbath school superintendents at once object that such beginnings create a "dead" atmosphere, whereas, they say, the bright personal greeting and snappy discoursive style wakes people up, creates a stir, and makes a lively meeting. To stand or not to stand is not a point at issue here. If you use a preliminary song service or an organ prelude, you may choose to have the officers enter during a musical bridge and go at once into the Scriptural or inspirational reading over a soft musical background.Īnother method is to ask the members to repeat together a Bible verse or sing a theme song. A well-selected verse of Scripture, a sentence from the Spirit of prophecy, a snatch of fine poetry, a challenging quotation from your general reading-these devices suggest themselves at once.
How shall we begin ? Following the principle just suggested, let us think of that which will direct minds to God, to the spirit of worship, and to the significance of the Sabbath. God is the center of worship.īeginnings and endings are difficult. "I had a flat tire, and if I didn't have the habit of coming half an hour early, I would have been late." This may appear to be a good beginning-personal, informal, attention getting, with a clever hint that others should start early-but it is not for Sabbath school.Ĭonsider the objective of the service-worship and study of God! Anything that calls the person's attention to the leader or any other participant in the service is out of place. "I was almost late to Sabbath school this morning," the superintendent says. These negative similitudes are not idle, for each has its prototype in leaders whom you have heard and will recall as we proceed.
You are not a radio announcer employing the usual introductory patter of a fast-moving variety show. You are not a symphony orchestra conductor giving the coordinating, peremptory downbeat. So you are going to conduct the Sabbath school! Remember you are not a streetcar conductor glumly collecting fares.
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