When you open worship to spontaneity, you may get some unwanted help. Here are ways to minimize the less than helpful.
1. Be clear about what should be shared—how you are currently growing in God. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14 that we come together for the whole body to be edified. This is not the place to discuss your concerns about church issues, or to rebuke other believers.
2. Don’t fear silent pauses. Most people need several moments to settle on something they might share. Remember the silence seems at least twice as long to the person up front as it does to anyone else.
Instead of saying something like, “Surely someone has something they can say to glorify God this morning,” give people freedom. “Please don’t feel any obligation to share. If no one has anything, we’ll move on in a moment. But if you have something, please don’t let fear keep you from sharing it.”
3. During the week, when you hear people talk about things they are learning, encourage them to share it with the whole body. That will help people identify what will edify the body, and sometimes that encouragement is all people need to take the risk.
4. Train the group as you go. Affirm when people say something that hits the mark and helps the body. Most inappropriate contributions will be obvious to all and can be skipped over without drawing attention to them.
Once in a while, however, you might have to correct something on the spot. Always do so as gently as possible.
After an off-the-wall statement: “I can see how that might have been valuable for you, but I know others here will see that differently.” Or, “I’m not sure I agree with you on that point. Perhaps we can take some time in the future to study that together.” Your position is clear, but you’ve still made room for them, too.
When someone uses the platform to advance a political or personal agenda: “Paul says the reason we gather together is to edify the whole body. There are better times and places to discuss these kinds of issues, but for now let’s get back to what God is doing in our lives.”
If someone raises a topic far afield of other people’s interests or seeks to promote a controversial viewpoint: “That’s a fair question that I’d be happy to talk with you about afterwards, but that’s probably not something that will be helpful to most of us today.”
Prayers can be easily adjusted on the spot, with another prayer. If I hear a number of things prayed that seem overtly selfish, I might conclude with, “And of course, Father, with all of these things, we really want what you want most. Teach us to know your will and help us in our disappointment if it doesn’t turn out to be what we hoped.”
Some have used spontaneous opportunities to push themselves or a pet peeve. Their words are usually self-exalting, and they will try to say something almost every week. These are best dealt with privately, helping them see what they are doing or even asking them not to share for a while.
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