The service MC?

My mind has been on the role of the service leader. I can finally post this because i wasn't at church last week so i can't be talking about anyone specific (not that i am anyway).

In my mind the service leader can take two paths to achieve the role they perform. Primarily their role is to help draw people into the presence of God and prepare them to hear the word of God through prayer and the spoken word.

The first path to this is to just let the service flow, almost MC style and avoid any distractions which may draw people out of the presence of God. Do they pray? Sure. Do they lead the congregation in adoration and confession? Yes, but they don't necessarily have a specific point in mind to drive them.

The second path can be more problematic, but more effective. In conjunction with the sermon, the service flows with a united theme throughout. But the important word is UNITED.

If the service leader has a spiel that doesn't mesh with the sermon then i think it dilutes both messages. Either patches of both are remembered, or one overshadows the other.

When the second path works it is brilliant. When it goes pear shaped, it can be dreadful. As a rule of thumb, i tend to stick to the first one, unless i can add something of substance heading down the second route.

I would rather someone remember the sermon a month later than what i said leading the service. Do i have an uneven perspective cause i preach? Maybe. But that's my 2c.