WORSHIP COMMITTEE MANDATE

I. Purpose

We acknowledge the basic covenantal relationship between God and His people and believe that dialogue-based corporate worship is the most “typical and crucial act of the church” (“Report of the Liturgical Committee,” Psalter Hymnal Supplement, p. 67).  Therefore, the Worship Committee’s mandate is to direct the people of Faith Church in the liturgical service of God in such a way that through regular participation, their calling as a “sent out” people is clarified, and the offering of their daily work becomes a more consistent sacrifice of praise.

II. Definitions

Liturgy:  What people do when they worship… The liturgy is the whole of the service. 

Psalter Hymnal Supplement, p. 68, 69.           

Reformed Worship:  A prescribed, corporate meeting between God and his people, in which God is praised and his church is blessed.  Worship is a dialogue, in which God speaks and acts, and the congregation responds in praise and obedience.  God convenes the meeting and remains in charge through his appointed delegates.                                                                                           James A. De Jong, Into His Presence, p. 13, 14.

Liturgical Motifs:  Guiding principles.  Worship must be 1) biblical,  2) universal (catholic),  3) confessional,  4) pastoral (congregational).  De Jong, p. 29.           

Psalter Hymnal Supplement, pg. 88. 

1987 Psalter Hymnal, p. 11.

III. Responciblities 

A.                  Educate

1)      Study liturgical materials individually and as a group in order to be informed about biblical, Reformed guidelines for worship.

2)      Facilitate the congregation’s understanding of and appreciation for Reformed worship, thus enabling them to participate more meaningfully.

B.                  Plan and Coordinate

1)      Assist the pastor in planning worship services that are theologically sound and spiritually edifying.

2)      Maintain a worship service calendar in order to coordinate and plan services throughout the liturgical church year.

3)      Establish guidelines for and supervision of the following, in consultation with the Council and other appropriate committees:

a)      Liturgy preparation and participation.

b)      All service music, including: use of CDs or DVDs, piano and organ purchase and maintenance, use of hymnals or power point slides, worship teams, choir, organists, pianists, vocalists.

c)      Banner construction and display, church bulletins, and any other visuals for use in the sanctuary and/or worship service.

d)      Congregational activities before and after the worship service which affect the worship atmosphere.

4)      Designate sub-committees or functionaries as necessary to carry out these specific planning tasks.

5)      Prepare an annual worship budget to be presented to the deacons before their September meeting.

C.         Evaluate

1)      Critique the liturgy and analyze it with a view to…

a)      Maintaining its Biblical and Reformed character

b)      Fulfilling Worship Committee purposes

c)      Its agreement with the guidelines and principles articulated in the documents of the Christian Reformed Church.

2)   Listen to and encourage congregational feedback and comments on worship.

3)   Review and update annually the guidelines and duties specified in this document.

4)   Report to the elders through written minutes of the meetings; provide additional information on liturgy and other proposals as requested (preferably in writing).

5)   Submit a list of qualified people as candidates for the Executive Committee of the Council to consider when they make Worship Committee appointments.