Responding to the Unexpected in Worship

Worship is the highlight of the week in many of our congregations. Psalm 122 says: “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” We gather on Sundays, and also Wednesday evenings, to pray together, sing together, hear God’s word, receive Holy Communion, and experience the faithful community gathered around us. Worship is a significant part of our personal faith lives and our lives as Christian community. Most of us gather for worship expecting it to go exactly as planned, as is laid out in the bulletin.

BUT sometimes worship doesn’t always go exactly as planned. Sometimes things happen that we did not plan or expect.

Perhaps someone passes out during the service or someone trips and is injured while walking up to communion.
Perhaps a community member has come to worship in an emotional or reactive state and gives us concerns about safety.
Perhaps there is an interruption to the pastor, deacon, or SAM while they are preaching or leading prayers.
Perhaps there is a weather emergency.

Here are some things to consider to be prepared for any type of unexpected moments in worship. When we work together as worship leaders and congregational members, we can maintain a quiet order in worship while also attending to unexpected situations.

Prepare ushers or other lay leaders to respond to a variety of health and safety situations.

Do they know where the first aid kit is? Do you have an AED? Is its location easy to see?
What do you do if a tornado warning is issued during worship? Where are the safe spaces where people can shelter during storms?
Practice situations so that ushers or council members feel comfortable responding calmly and efficiently. Make sure they know that they are your designated congregational responders.

Pastors, deacons, and SAMs:

Always keep your phone nearby when leading worship. Be prepared to call 9-1-1 in a health or safety emergency.
You are the person who has the mic. Practice what you might say in situations that could disrupt worship.
- What will you say to direct the ushers responding to a health situation, and ask for medical help in the room, while also calming the gathered congregation so you can continue in worship? This would be a moment to offer prayer for the individual.
- How will you respond to a situation or a community member who suddenly interrupts any part of worship to speak or disagree? Practice what you might say. Some options could be: “Let’s continue this conversation after worship. I would love to talk with you later today.” Or “Worship is not the place for conversations like this. Let’s bring this discussion to Council at a later time.” Or “Let’s take a moment for prayer before we continue the worship service.”
In cases of outright conflict or physical disruptions, have your ushers and leaders ready to peacefully help escort the individual to another space outside of the sanctuary. Law enforcement encourages folks to take pictures to record situations or take notes on names and license plates if there is any safety concern for the person themselves or for the congregation. Be ready to call local law enforcement if their support is needed.
From the front of church, you have a vantage point to see most of the sanctuary. If there is something that concerns you, that you are able to see but others may not see, have a way to communicate subtly to your ushers and leaders that a situation may need their response.

It is our hope that these suggestions help congregational leaders and pastors, deacons, and SAMS anticipate some of the unexpected moments that may happen in worship. It is our hope that all our worship gatherings may be a time of growing in God’s love, grace, and peace. So that together as God’s people we may live the words of Psalm 150: “Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens…  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”