What is a “Call To Worship” and why is it an essential part of our church’s liturgy? In an excerpt from one of his sermons, Alistair Begg gets at the heart of the “why” behind the Call to Worship. Why is it important? Why do we start with it? Listen to this excerpt and reflect on what actually matters at the beginning of a corporate worship gathering. What should be said and why? After watching the video, know this: you are the person who tells everyone this. You are the person who makes sure this is known. You tell people what God has done, what that means for us, and why that compels us to worship.

Leading a Call to Worship is one of the most important things in a worship gathering. What you’ll see from Alistair Begg helps drive this home, but additionally, consider these: 

1. You are the first person to be addressing the congregation on behalf of the church. 

2. You are reading God’s Word from a place of influence, and conveying the implications of it.

3. You are setting the tone of the worship gathering. If you are confident and upbeat, focused and attentive, then the room will become so as well. If you are uncertain, undetermined, or distracted, the room will become so as well.

Because of these, rehearse. Rehearse more than you think you need to. It may seem like something you can do with little to no practice or preparation, but it is not. If anyone has ever made it look easy, it is because they have practiced and prepared a lot. If it has ever looked sloppy or haphazard, it is because they thought they could just prepare Sunday morning and it would be okay; and as a result, it was most likely less effective. Practice your Bible reading. Practice your public speaking. Practice your public praying. How you read teaches people how the Bible should be read. How you pray displays your theology. Plan these out in advance so you don’t accidentally say something unhelpful or misleading. Practice more than you want to. Practice with other people. 

Because a Call To Worship is such a significant part of what we do in a worship gathering, it is worthy of preparation, practice, and critical feedback. However, as with the preaching and singing, the power behind a Call To Worship comes from God’s Word. This takes the pressure off of you as the deliverer and frees you from trying to adorn the Scripture with anything. Instead, it gathers the attention of everyone and points to the One who is worthy.