How to lead a service

Be well prepared but able to be flexible.

The feel and atmosphere of the service matters a lot and you can affect that by what you do and say, how you dress and your whole bearing. Be friendly and in control, relaxed but deliberate. We neither want to be pompous and terrified of making a mistake nor a sloppy shambles.

You should cast yourself as a minster of the Gospel, not as a quiz show host, entertainer, lecturer or bully. It is not about putting on a show but (a) worshiping God with reverecne and awe (b) helping people, ministering to them for their edification. Always keep in mind the newcomer, vistor and unbeliever, even if you think there may not be any! But focus on God's people if this is the Lord's Day service of covenant renewal.

Think of yourself as a father presiding at a family feast. That is what this is. It is solemn and jolly.

The mood should be serious and purposeful but not miserable or oppresive. The service can have more lighthearted moments. You may even venture a joke in the notices.

Sometimes you might address the children.

Start on time even if half the congregation is not there. If you wait for latecomers the service will start later and later and punctuality will be disincentiveised. Keeping to time is a matter of keeping your word. Likewise, what end-time are you aiming for and how worried are you about sticking to it? Most people will expect the service to be about an hour. I do not think you should exceed 1 hr 15 mins except in the most exceptional circumstances in most C of E churches. What could you drop if people are drooping and the service is into its second hour?

Do you know who else is taking part in the service? Do they know what to do and when?

Make sure your microphone is on and off at appropriate times. Do you operate that or does the sound person? Will they actually manage to turn you off for hymns and will they always miss the first line of anything you say?

How are you going to come in? A formal procession? Walk decisively to the place from which you are going to lead the service. A stall or seat or lectern or the middle somewhere? People might automatically stand up when you come in. Do you start straight away or pause to pray or fiddle with your papers and watch or whatever?

Have a clear formal start. Smile. Welcome people. Be deliberate in your first words: "Good Morning and welcome to St Swithin without the Wardrobe Parish Church." Be loud enough, don't shout. Be nice.

If there are a significant number of guests or visitiors you might introduce yourself: "My name's Marc and I'm the Vicar here"

 Notices might be best got out of the way at this point. You may say something about creche and children etc.

Don't be in too much of a rush but get on with it.

Does the congregation need to be pointed to page 7 of the service books or the service sheet or the screen or is all that obvious? Do they know that they join in with the words in bold type?

If the service always starts on p7 and everyone has been here for 50 years then "The Lord is here" is a perfectly good beginning.

Make your links breif and to the point. "We join together in singing hymn number 235" is perfectly acceptable from time to time. Sometimes you might read out the title or first line or first verse.

 If something in a hymn really needs explaining (e.g. "here I raise my Ebeneezer") please do. But, again, don't define every vaguely tricky word in every hymn all the time.

People do not generally want 10 sermons in the service. Let the preacher preach.

 People need to know when you want them to stand or sit etc. Over time I would suggest you train the congregation to always stand as soon as the first note plays and remain staning unless told to do otherwise. When you tell them to kneel many will disobediently sit! If you want them to remain standing you might say "we remain standing for to affirm our faith / for the Gospel reading." It is worth making "As we stand..." the first thing you say if half of them are inclined to automatically sit.

If you want to ask them to stand it is best to say "Please stand" and wait for them to do so. If you say "We stand to sing hymn no 235 When I survey the wondrous cross, look especially at v8...." some people will stand at the start of your sentence and some people will stand half way through the first verse.

Think about how you will introduce responses. What do the congregation expect? Will you say, "We join together in saying the prayer in the middle of page 88, saying..."? Or will you just lead into the words with bold type: "As our Saviour taught us, so we pray: Our Father...". Or will you just launch into stuff and expect them to join in? Do they know what you say and what they say and what you say together?

Stage directions can be included in an order of service.

The sermon is jolly important but it is not the only thing or the be all and end all.

The service should ideally have a logic and coherence. It has an order and a goal. It is not just one thing after another or a random assortment. You don't have to give a running commentary but sometimes you might bring that out. For example, you might say after the absolution, "So conscious of God's forgiveness, we sing his praises with hymn number 235."

Themes from the readings or sermon or day might influence the choice of hymns.

At some point in the service you might link one of the hymns to the readings. Your opening Scripture sentences, invitation to confession, confession and absolution, creed and blessing can all be chosen to reflect themes of the service, day, readings or sermon.

Obviously you will want to observe your ordination vows and use only those forms of service which are authorised or allowed by canon. In practice on a Sunday this will normally mean a minimum of authorised confession and absolution, creed, the Lord's Prayer and a blessing.

End. Walk out.