How is loving one another vertical worship of God?

There is nothing more near and dear to the heart of a church than worship.

But showing love for each other during a worship service can raise questions. Is it fitting? Does it belong? How would we do that? What does that look like?

Well, we find ourselves loving one another to one degree or another at our gatherings in the greeting and prayers, but the Listen Pray Care Project takes it to a whole different level. How? By engaging each and every single person in listening, praying and caring for one another. 

As a pastor, I know the pains of changing the way we do things. But, if we are going to consider changing how we worship together, we need to have good scriptural grounds. 

This video (above) introduces the solid biblical foundation for teaching that our loving one another is not only actively worshipping God, but also honoring the most important and significant command we were given by Jesus. Essentially, our worship of God makes the horizontal and vertical connection--more specifically, loving one another means we are simultaneously worshipping God.

Here are the main points:

1. Listen Pray Care = Love One Another.

2. Jesus identifies actions of love and care for others as love for God.

3. This is love for God: love your neighbor. (Ephesians 5:2)

4. We are to walk in love. It is part of our vertical worship of God.

5. Love one another is a central activity in church gatherings. 

6. Paul teaches love for one another as worship of God, demonstrated by Jesus.

Giving love for one another a more prominent place in our formal worship can be a challenge. We made a vlog specifically to discuss how to lead LPC in church on Sundays, but here are some more thoughts on the subject. 

I have seen churches struggle with prioritizing love for one another in their gatherings. Here are three of the biggest challenges, and how to address them:  

• Time issues. Take a hard look at the practical aspects of timing. How much time do you really need? Will it lengthen your gathering? How will you adjust? Plan accordingly.

• Organizational challenges.  Get everyone in leadership on the same page, create buy-in with the congregation, manage the change, and communicate.

• Finding helpful resources. Having materials to use (especially if it is a new concept), having support (consulting), troubleshooting the technology aspects, etc.

At The LPC Project, we are here to help and equip you with everything you need to be successful. Here are a few ways we help: 

• Planning assistance. We have several vlogs and materials that can give you ideas on how to make it work in your specific setting. Need further help? Contact us. We do consultations! 

• Organizational tools. Check out our vlogs for leadership.  My book was written for leaders to help with organizing, talking to other leadership, and more.  And you may also contact us for one-on-one help.

• Helpful resources. We have a written liturgy for you to use, we have a children’s book, a book for leaders (as mentioned above), a YouTube channel with vlogs to help you understand and implement our strategies, and have made ourselves personally available to assist you.

As stated a few times, if you have questions, don’t know where to start, need help finding resources or want to learn more, contact us. Jump on a Zoom call, phone call, or discuss with us via email so we can help you in the ways you need most. 

We want Listen Pray Care to be accessible to you and easy for you to implement! 

God bless you as you share God’s love with one another and with the world. 

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