Discipleship and Formation Without Celebration: Opportunities for All Worship Leaders
As a little boy, I remember going to my grandmother’s Methodist church at Christmas, and seeing the colors and candles of the Christmas season. We sang from the hymnal, and the entire environment is still vivid in my mind. But in the church where I work, there is none of this — our church does not actively or intentionally “celebrate” a season of Advent like other churches may. There is not a planned, celebrated with worship, four-week period leading up to the culmination of the birth of Christ. This is, of course, the Pastor’s choice. However there remains many opportunities to interact, disciple, and shape the congregation’s spiritual formation during this season leading up to the celebration of the birth of our Savior. So how can we, as worship leaders, lead in discipleship and help spiritual formation without the formal celebration of Advent in this Christmas season?
We now do a very large Christmas presentation the second week of December for five days and nights, as well as a special “birth of Christ centered” service every Christmas Eve. The two-month rehearsal schedule allows interaction between church members that does not happen at other times throughout the year. Our Christmas presentation, however, does not only focus on the birth of Christ, but shows the entirety of Christ’s life and death, resurrection, ascension, including a final “heaven” scene. Obviously, our Pastor concentrates on the story of Christ’s birth during this time on Sunday mornings and evenings.
Discipleship during this time takes the form of intentional times of serving together — although it is not a specific, designated activity. There are opportunities to share and to serve with others in the church that do not happen at other times throughout the year. Recognize these situations as times to interact, talk to, and identify the needs of individuals you may not see otherwise. Although this is not an assigned or appointed, it is an “informal” chance for discipleship, when led by the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual formation, however, is a different subject. Everything forms us some way, and there is no doubt that our culture — and the things in which we invest our time and energy — form us spiritually, as well. Spending time in the Word, reading the Bible — this forms us spiritually. Conversely, wasting time in ungodly activities form us spiritually, as well, but in a manner that is not forming us into the image of Christ. Paul famously said. “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 NIV). The culture in which we live does not guide us to church — our young people are told what the church believes is wrong; our college students are told they are fools for believing in the Bible — the inerrant and inspired Word of God. Thusly, the importance of Christian spiritual formation is paramount for this generation.
Our times of worship during the Christmas presentation are a very positive influence on the spiritual formation of our church — both long-time and new members, as well as the unchurched people present. Salvation is the first step of spiritual formation, for without salvation one cannot possibly correctly understand the message of Christ. Without the Spirit there can be no spiritual formation.
While the story of Christ is presented through music and song, as well as dance and visual communication, it is a very different method that our usual Sunday services. This is an impactful and important difference and one that helps spiritual formation in our entire church. The visual and audible story of Christmas — and therefore Christ — is brought to life. This is our main goal, to share the gospel with the community, especially to the lost. If indeed people are led by the Lord to our church afterward, we intentionally guide them to participate in small groups and/or bible fellowship classes. These are the beginning steps of both discipleship — when led by a godly director and mediator — and of spiritual formation, when seeing, hearing, and participating in the community of the church.
Each church observes and celebrates in their own way during the season of Advent and Christmas. Worship leaders must recognize and promote the methods of the pastor, and then search for and magnify the opportunities for both spiritual formation and discipleship. These activities can be planned or unplanned. Even without a formal weekly celebration of Advent, the supplementary aspect is in communion — the act and actions of being together, witnessing the story of Christ, and sharing, loving, teaching, and growing together, being formed in the image of Christ.
