Serving With Calvin: Leading and Planning Services of Worship in the Reformed Church (Johnson)

Terry Johnson’s 2014 Worshipping with Calvin (EP Books) promised a follow-up work that would focus on implementation. Serving with Calvin is that work. Whereas Worshipping with Calvin argued for the revival of historic Reformed ministry and worship by focusing on its biblical, theological, and historical foundations, Serving with Calvin focusses on the nuts and bolts, the “how-to’s,” the application of historic Reformed ministry and worship today. Our hope is that many will be convinced that it can be done, and should be. The Word read, preached, sung, prayed, and seen is as effective today as it ever was. When practiced by faith, in the power of the Holy Spirit, ordinary means ministry may be the instrument by which Christ once again builds His church, against which even the gates of hell shall not prevail. 

Contents:

1. Introduction 

Our vision 

Building wisely 

2. Preparing the Minister 

Pastoral Leadership 

Piety 

Humility 

Wisdom 

3. Preparing the Services 

General consideration 

Public Services of Worship

Ordinary Means

Frequency

Specific characteristcs 

Catholicity

                  Excellence

                  Order

                        Praise

                        Confession

                        Means of Grace

                        Thanksgiving & Benediction

                 Form and Freedom

                 Reverence

                 Pace

                 Economy

                 Length

                 Aesthetics

                 Simplicity 

4. Administering the Elements – 1 

Reading Scripture

What to Read

How to Read

Preaching 

What to Preach

1. Preach the lectio continua

2. Preach topically as prudence dictates

3. Preach grammatical-historical-redemptive sermons

4. Preach the text

5. Preach Chrstocentrically

6. Preach simple content

7. Begin preaching those books of the Bible that are the most accessible

8. Vary the sermon diet 

 How to preach 

1. Preaching persuasively  

2. Preach with urgency

3. Preach authentically

4. Review and repeat constantly

5. Apply the text throughout

6. Include exhortation

7. Explain the context but don’t dwell on it

8. Use quotations sparingly

9. Preach sermons of moderate length 

5. Administering the Elements – 2

Prayer

What to pray

How to pray

Singing

Criteria for evaluation

Practical Helps

Sacraments 

6. Preparing the Setting

External Style

Interior Arrangement

Central Pulpit

Table and Font

Choir & Organ

The furnishings, decorations, and the arts

Devotional art

Decorative art

Illustrative & didactic art

Graphic art

Performing arts

Modern Innovations

Facilities & Appearances

Regarding buildings & grounds

Regarding members

Regarding the environment of the service

7. Preparing the Congregation

Savannah background

Savannah ministry

Growth

Ministry today

Getting there

Worship services

Inquirers’ Class

Officers’ Training Class

Pastor’s writings

Reformation & Heritage Sundays 

8. Mistakes to Avoid

General concerns

Faith or presumption?

Faithfulness or failure?

Pace or imprudence

Specific concerns

Reverential or liturgical?

Depth or length?

Fervency or frequency?

Spirit or form?

Primary means or only means? 

9. Epilogue: Final Considerations 

Scripture

Gospel

Church

Spirit

God 

Appendix A: Our Order of Service 

Appendix B: Charts 

Author 

Terry Johnson was born and raised in Los Angeles. He studied history at the University of Southern California, and also studied at Trinity College, Bristol, England, and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, before earning his D.Min in 2008 from Erskine Theological Seminary. He is ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America and was assistant minister in Coral Gables, Florida, before moving to Savannah in 1987 to the Independent Presbyterian Church. Terry is the author/compiler of the Trinity Psalter, Leading in Worship, and The Family Worship Book. He is also author of The Case for Traditional Protestantism, Worshipping with Calvin, and other books including the trilogy When Grace Comes Home, When Grace Transforms, and When Grace Comes Alive. He and his wife, Emily, have five children.