When Are You Worshiping?

The gospel story for this Sunday is about the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. Jesus breaks major taboos of the culture of the time by talking to any woman, let alone one who is a Samaritan and not a pure Jew. After some banter, Jesus says that God is Spirit and that those who worship God must worship in spirit and truth.

When I think back on being responsible for children’s and youth programming on Sunday mornings, worshiping in “spirit and truth” was not a common occurrence. More often I was struggling to find a fill-in for a teacher calling in sick, photocopying last-minute items, greeting parents and kids, checking in with leaders about numbers and considering joining classes together, reassuring new families, keeping the peace at kids’ time, supervising my own class and then administering first aid and discipline as needed. It was hardly a worship-focused time. If you are on staff or coordinating, it can be pretty tough to focus on and experience God in your worship services.

So what do we do to tackle this? Because, once we stop worshiping and connecting with Jesus, our wells dry up pretty quickly and we’re running on fumes. Here are some suggestions to tackle this and avoid burnout:

1. Plan as much in advance as possible. This lessens the list of things to do Sunday morning. You can’t avoid last-minute issues and challenges, but the more that is set up ahead of time, the better. Go in even earlier so you arrive before those who will be looking for you and needing something. Use your preparation as an act of worship. Play music or sing or hum as you dedicate this time and the learning to follow to God.

2. As much as possible, once the worship service begins, turn off the details. This takes discipline, but is very important for you and to be modeling to your learners and leaders. Our current culture encourages us to have our attention divided in at least two directions at once – the person in front of us, what is on our cellphone and what is happening on tv or otherwise around us. This does not allow us to come before God and truly worship with all our mind, soul, heart and strength. Work on building a singular focus.

3. Find a church with a different worship time, possibly through the week, and go strictly as a participant. Consider this time to unplug and focus on worshiping and refuelling your gas tank. You may also find religious programming that inspires you on tv or online. The challenge when watching at home is to not begin doing other work while you watch and to have your attention divided and to be a passive recipient than an active participant.

4. Make your spiritual life a priority and communicate that without guilt to your leaders and fellow staff and anyone giving you oversight. If you aren’t praying regularly or renewing your soul through worship and study then you are not offering your best to your ministry. Renew yourself by whatever draws you close to God – music, scripture, art, prayer, holy conversation, meditation or other spiritual practices. This is an investment in bettering yourself as a Christian leader and disciple.  

5. Make worship, no matter how brief, a part of every meeting you have with leaders, parents, learners and committees. Even if it is just a song to centre the group, a scripture reading and brief reflection or a prayer inviting participation of the group, make this a priority. Model keeping the focus where it needs to be.

6. Make prayer and its various aspects a regular part of your life – confession, praise, intercession, lament and thanksgiving. If you say you will pray for someone, follow up and be sure to do it. Keep a written list if needed so that you don’t forget. Don’t forget to own up to your own needs and weaknesses, seeking God’s Spirit to fill and mould you more into who you are called to be.  

I have to admit to feeling somewhat hypocritical as I write this. While I strove to do this, and continue to, I am not and have not always been successful. Thank goodness for Jesus who sees our striving, who knows us inside out including all our foibles and failings, and who still intercedes for us regardless.

We can always strive for better in our worship lives, but we also need to remember God’s grace and mercy for all who love Him. We are so blessed! Share that blessing with your learners!