Towards Understanding of the Practice of Proclamation: The Core Element of Russian Baptist Worship, Timofey Cheprasov, 2015

d by the preacher. 5. The prayer is followed by a choir piece, congregational hymn and often by several smaller “performances,” such as solo singing, chamber choir or orchestral piece, a short testimony or a poem. 6. As arule, the second sermon is preached by an experienced preacher (or a second pastor). Usually it is a general exhortation on Christian living. 7. The sermon is followed by an interlude that consists of choir, congregational or solo singing. The collection can be done at this point. 8. The final sermon is traditionally preached either by a pastor of the church or another respected minister. Often this preacher tries to summarize other sermons that were preached during the service. This is also the time used to “correct mistakes” of the previous speakers. Obviously, the degree of their correctness is defined solely by that last preacher.*’ As a rule the final sermon is concluded by a call to repentance.*” ?° Timchenko, “Muzikalnaia Osnova Bogosluzheniia...,” p 71. In a personal interview about his preaching ministry, a young pastor from a small congregation in the Voronezh area, mentioned that preaching the last sermon in every service was the main principle of his preaching ministry. Such an approach allowed him to ensure that people leave the church with the ‘correct biblical theology.’ (Personal interview with pastor A (Voronezh, 25.07.2014), available through the author). Ironically, this pastor never received any theological training himself, and most of his preaching was directed at “fighting sin and temptation.” It was the pastor and the deacons who decided what was to be labelled as “sinful” — one of their youth leaders was banned from participation in ministry, because he worked as a waiter at a restaurant. In this case, preaching the last sermon was understood to be a tool, a powerful instrument of control, available to the pastor, and not anyone else. ” An important notice should be made regarding this “invitation to come forward,” practiced in Russian churches. People are invited to come to the pulpit and repent. Repentance is understood as asking God for forgiveness, confessing Jesus as Saviour and a promise to follow Christ from that moment onwards. This repentance is viewed as an important step to becoming a follower of Christ. 115 9. The choir often sings a hymn that calls people to repentance.** 10. At the end of the service the pastor (and a few other people) may bring announcements; greetings are passed to the church from other places. Finally, a short benediction is said, traditionally “the Grace” from 2 Corinthians 13:14. Participants The pattern of a worship service presented above suggests that there are many people who actively participate in worship in various ways, and who are not passive listeners. Various kinds of music ministries, testimonies, poems, and of course multiple acts of preaching require many members to be involved. Moreover, when the