Worship Circle - 7 Church Services That Make First- Time Guests Return

I was talking to a friend recently who said he preferred that churches put the band at the rear of the church instead of the front. He wanted the focus to be solely on Jesus. I can understand where he is coming from. As a guitar player, I sometimes focus on the person playing guitar, trying to figure out what he is doing rather than focusing on God. I have another worship leader friend who likes to have the room completely dark, so people are not distracted by what is happening around them. 

 Over the next few weeks, I will explain why and how we have been experimenting with our Sunday services. Today we will discuss a service type we call “worship circle.”  I’ve grown up in the church and for years have felt this separation between what was happening on stage and what I was experiencing in the pews. So, we decided to bring the band off the stage and put them in the center of the room. Have people stand around them and worship together rather than separately. It creates a feeling that we are doing this together. I also enjoy seeing the faces of other people who were worshipping Jesus besides the band. There is something authentic about that. 

Number 4 – Worship Circles 

• Worship/Communion/Prayer 

How we do it: 

• We take the band off the stage and place them in the center of the room 

• We encourage people to stand close to the band members 

• In total we will normally sing 8 to 10 songs 

• We will insert a time of communion, prayer, and giving into the worship time 

• We’ve recently asked people to pray together with their neighbor while music is being played in the background and it’s created a meaningful time together 

Benefit / What it does for people: 

• It takes some of the attention off the band and allows us to focus on Jesus more 

• It creates a sense of authenticity by allowing people to stand near the band members. Band members become more human and vulnerable by doing this. 

• It allows people to see other worshippers faces 

• It provides opportunities for people to take communion 

What was challenging: 

• It can be technically and logistically challenging to move the chairs and band off of the stage. 

• Some people love worship, but there are some that do not, and attendance can be up and down 

• People get excited for worship circle but there needs to be a balance of how many times you do it per year. It can become not special if you do it to much.