Jon Green

In the corporate worship gathering it is important that we understand that as the " age waves " move thru the membership the basic needs are the same however, the styles are changing along with the age groups...if we always pattern the worship style to the "way we have always done it"...then the response is apparent in the reaction by the next wave...stay alert to the senior group within the group...in music and in the scriptural presentations... the spirit will provide the response by filling the needs...

I love variety! Variety in words to fit the sermon is great. Variety in dynamics within a song, variety in styles is great. I like doing old words with varied styles. I especially like a variety in musical instruments. I love when we hear a new song that we are not even expected to sing along. I love words for worship and music for mood, mixed or separate works for me. I especially like variety in singers, like solos from gifted singers within our church. Or a talented trio or occasional choir. Just don't make me learn a new sing a long every Sunday...lol

Consistancy is good, if only because it allows people to have a sense of continuity in a world full of change.

Variety is good, because it keeps one's worship from becoming dull, stale, and lifeless.

Consistant variety, while sounding like a mixed metaphor, is where I feel we should be striving. Just enough variety to keep worship fresh...and enough consistancy to not feel like every week we have to have "New and Exciting."

(BTW, this is a great series of blogs you've got going--)

I'm just wondering... do you have to have either/or? When a church body is consistent in loving the Lord, loving others, opening their doors to everyone, and being friutful in the Spirit, does it make a huge difference how varied the order is on a Sunday? I tend to think that people are much more open to allowing change (of any sort) when they know that no matter what, they will meet Jesus and be loved by His family when they walk into the building.

On that note, I personally like to keep it "fresh" on a Sunday morning, especially when it comes to worship... but that's just me :)

I think that a format or consistency provides a level of comfort that people are used to. With the corporate worship I think it is expected as people settle in. However I think variety can refresh the idea of worship and keep it from becoming routine or stale.

By changing things up and letting people know when these changes will occur may provide an easy way to find a balance between the two and provide a comfortable environment that can evolve and grow over time.

my $.02...

consistency with purpose,
variety in style.