I have been working with several pastoral interns as they plan our worship services for the next four weeks (July 12 - Aug. 2). We are looking forward to learning together. Already I have noticed that I will learn a lot from them. It's great to collaborate, whether we are talking about writing songs or planning worship. It breaks you out of ruts and grooves that you don't even see.
How to Plan
I've encouraged our interns to think in terms of themes, theological categories, emotional quality, and most of all making the service lead through a "gospel arc." That is, I've asked them to ask themselves, "does this service highlight the gospel in some way?" Does it lead us through seeing a God who calls us to holiness, a Savior who provides that holiness, and the Spirit who helps us walk in holiness?
Of course, they will also be balancing things like length, keeping songs we don't know to a minimum, prayers, readings, etc. Plus, they will be making assignments for who does what, and they will be leading a portion of the service themselves as well.
Until You Do It
I believe it's important that more seminary students spend more time thinking about and actually planning worship. A class is good and important. However, until you are thrown into the actual planning process with real live people in mind you don't really understand all that you must balance. Plus, there is something about actually leading in front of people that gives you a sense of what connects, what falls flat, what's important to do even if it did fall flat.
Then, of course, there's the variable of working with the other pastors and musicians. How well will they understand what your intent was when you planned? Did you communicate that well? Did you consider or ask about their skills, personalities, backgrounds? And these are just a sampling of all that may come up in the course of ministry in various contexts.
It's Worth It
Finally, once the dust has settled, once the service has come and gone, there is the joy of knowing that you had a part in helping a congregation see more of Christ. The hope and prayer is that all these efforts lead to a people to grow in holiness and affection for Christ and others. This makes all the planning and prayer worth it. Plus, from my own perspective, this exercise of working with pastoral interns provides the opportunity to shape several young men in how they think about and plan for worship. That's a privilege.