But congregations may be missing an opportunity if they cut them out altogether.  Some congregations today have reinstituted them in a limited way and their services of worship have been enhanced as a result. 

With a microphone a church leader, that could be a member of the staff or an officer, could invite a member to the chancel at an appropriate moment usually in the first ¼ of the service, (This conversation may be rehearsed or not but the responder should have had notice so as to be prepared) .  The leader then introduces the member and poses a question for the interviewee to address to the congregation.  Typically it would be: “What brought you to First Church?”

The second question could be: “What has been your primary area of service or ministry to God through this congregation and what has been its impact?"

A third question could be: “As you reflect on your walk with God today what is a growing edge that you could share with us or a message that you believe God is bringing to you?”

This whole exchange of information could be covered in five minutes and could end with the interviewer leading the congregation in a prayer for the interviewee and thanking God for the person’s life and witness.  Churches with multiple services see this as a means by which they can help people who attend one service consistently, to learn something of the lives and experiences of someone who attends another service.  It can have the cumulative effect of bringing a larger congregation closer together.  Some churches include this feature each week highlighting a different church member or officer each time.  But if you  try this, be sure to require that the interviewee speak at each service on a given Lord’s Day, and  not have different people speaking at different services on the same day.  One church calls this feature “A witness to the working of God.”

Try it.  I think it connects the worship leaders with the congregation, various service attendees with each other, and offers an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to touch everyone present.   I Peter 3:15b

Jerry