Open Worship

On November 7 we experimented with an "open worship" format patterned on 1 Corinthians 14:26 in which each person has the opportunity to share a word of encouragement, a scripture, a testimony, a song, etc., for the "building up" of everyone. The early Baptists in the 1600s worshiped in a similar way. The seating was arranged in a horseshoe or semicircle so we could all see each other. The Communion table was at the center. My sermon was only 15 minutes long, followed by a time of discussion, another practice of the early Baptist movement. The entire worship time was enriching and delightful.