Testimony in Worship
The following guide was prepared by Revds Paul Wood & Ian Worsfold
How to Help Others Share Their Testimony
Enabling people to tell their story on a day-to-day basis is not difficult; we just need to give them space and then listen, although we might ask ourselves "When did we last really stop and listen to someone else?" Encouraging people to share their story and offer testimony in worship needs a little more thought if we are truly to enable people to offer their best to God. Sometimes this means time for preparation, sometimes it requires careful stage management so that the contributions of others might enhance our worship.
Worship Leaders, Local Preachers and Ministers are key to enabling congregations to hear the voice of the priesthood of all believers. Encouraging someone to tell their story (or give testimony) can enhance a traditional Preaching Service, become the centrepiece of a Local Arrangement Service, or be at the heart of Cafe Style worship. Telling stories and listening to them is a truly intergenerational activity.
If we are to include people's stories in worship, we should first consider what testimony is and why we might want to include it as part of the worship of God.
What is Testimony?
Put simply, testimony is sharing our story and our experiences with others. Linking our story to God's story becomes a public statement of faith. Speaking of God's providence, or how God has been with us in difficult times, enables others to see where God is at work in their lives. In the technical sense of the word (and especially in legal circles) to give testimony is to bear witness to something and so in church we traditionally hear people bearing witness to how they met Jesus, of the work of God in their lives, or what they have seen God doing in the world today.
Why Use Testimony?
It's Biblical!
"In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15
It's relational!
For Christians, it's good to hear and celebrate what God has done and is doing in other people's lives. Hearing other people's stories can act as a reminder of how God is still active in our lives and in the church, so it offers encouragement and builds up faith in others.
It's evangelical!
The more willing we are to share our stories among the Church, the more willing we will be to tell our story outside. As any good storyteller will tell you, the story always gets better with practice.
Techniques for Testimony
Match Stick Testimony
In the time it takes for a match to burn tell us either: Why you come to Church? What do you believe about God? What experience have you had of God this week?
This Time Tomorrow
Invite people to tell the group what they will be doing this time tomorrow and how it relates to their faith.
Good News Stories or What is God doing now?
Ask members of the congregation to share good news stories.
What is challenging for us now?
Ask this question to individuals or to the church as a whole.
Sofa Interview
Invite a member of the congregation to come and be interviewed.
Bible stories that speak to us
Encourage people to share a Bible story that speaks of their understanding of God.
Music that speaks to us
Share a piece of non-religious music that speaks of your relationship with God.
Hymns that speak to us
Share a hymn that speaks to your Christian journey with God.
How I became...
Ask someone to share how they became a Worship Leader, Local Preacher, Church Steward, Trustee, etc.
Love Feast
The love feast is one of the Methodist Church's oldest traditions.
A Few Caveats
Don't always focus the question on when I became a Christian. We also want people to look for where God is working in their lives now. Don't forget that children and young adults have stories too.