Archive for November 9, 2012


Nov 9

Suggestions for Sunday Preparation and Participation

2012 | by Trent Hunter | Category: Recommended Resources

In his book, Power Preaching for Church Growth, David Eby includes an appendix, “Prepare and Participate: Practical Suggestions on Your Role in Worship at North City Presbyterian Church.” This is a document used at the church where David serves to encourage the congregation with practical suggestions for making the most of Sunday morning for the glory of God. The document includes suggestions for individual and family preparation ahead of Sunday and participation during Sunday’s worship services.

Here’s an example of suggestions for physical preparations ahead of Sunday morning:

  • Get a good night’s sleep on Saturday night so that you can be sharp and energetic for worship on Sunday morning.
  • Prepare ahead for the Sunday morning pressures and the rush to get ready. Use Saturday afternoon and/or evening to get things organized.
  • Plan to arrive at the church meeting place five minutes early, not five minutes late. This will require planning ahead.
  • Plan a special Lord’s Day Eve meal, with time for Scripture reading, prayer and family worship.

Who can’t be helped by suggestions like these! My only suggestion for David’s suggestions, at least for families with small children, would be to aim for ten or fifteen minutes early instead of just five minutes. There are plenty of obstacles to slow us down in the morning, and even if we land here ten or fifteen minutes early, that’s ten or fifteen minutes to get acquainted with others, to rest your mind, and to pray ahead of the start of the service.

With permission, we’ve typed up this appendix of practical suggestions to make it available for you in pdf form. From time to time we will share small suggestions from this document with the hopes of encouraging greater preparation for and participation in our Sunday worship services.