In January 2001, we made a significant change in the way we conduct our services on Sunday mornings. On Sunday morning, January 7, 2001, we started following the following order in our service and we have been following this order ever since.

• Welcome
• Special Music (One Song)
• Preaching
• Confirming Testimonies and Confessions of Sin
• Communion (Lord’s Supper)
• Congregational Singing
• Offering
• Prayer Meeting

The uniqueness of the order is that the preaching precedes the music, and there is an opportunity for testimonies, confession of sin, and the practice of communion in every service.

Why does the preaching precede the music? First, we believe it honors God if we are cleansed of any known sins before we sing to Him or about Him. The preaching, the testimonies, the confession of sin, and communion promote this cleansing. True worship is not just offering God our praise but genuine worship is offering ourselves to God based on His Word. (Rom. 12:1-2). We desire that our singing and our praise be an expression of sincere worship. Having the Word taught first prepares the congregation for genuine worship.

Second of all, the First-century church was devoted to four things according to Acts 2:42; the Apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread (communion), and prayer. Singing together is one expression of our prayer. Certainly, singing together is more meaningful if our fellowship is in one accord. Preaching the Apostles doctrine first and then encouraging the people to gain a clear conscience with God and with one another before communion unites the hearts of believers around the Word of God before they sing together and pray together. This order blessed by the Spirit of God has proven to prepare the people for powerful congregational prayers.

Third, it is no accident that in Acts 2:42, the devotion of the first century church to the teaching of the Apostles’ doctrine is mentioned first. It is our desire to have the same priorities at Western Hills that the church maintained in the first-century. Singing was not their first priority. Having the preaching first emphasizes the priority of the teaching of the Apostles’ doctrine to the church.

Fourth of all, feeding the sheep is the first responsibility of a pastor. Having the preaching first allows our Pastor to fulfill his responsibility without ever being rushed by all the other parts of a service and gives him a much greater freedom to plan for testimonies that will confirm the message. Testimonies are one of the greatest tools that the Holy Spirit uses to promote revival.

Last, having the preaching first has practical benefits for attentiveness. We stand when we sing which promotes attentiveness but we sit when we are taught. If other activities are before the preaching it is more difficult for many to maintain attentiveness when the preaching begins. Most listeners are more alert at the beginning of the service than they are at the end.

On March 11, 2001, soon after we began to practice this new order of service, God confirmed that this was His will by healing a man who was lame during the prayer meeting at the end of the service. In addition, it is now common for one or more people to confess their faults to the congregation before we come to communion. Each Sunday many people come to our leaders before communion in order to confess their faults and to receive prayer. There are testimonies nearly every week of families being reconciled before they partake of communion. This new order of service based on Acts 2:42 is bringing greater unity to our families and to the church. The church is prepared for powerful prayer and a much more effective ministry to the community.