What is the typical order of a Christian church service?

When guests visit your church for the first time, they might ask you, “What does a typical church service look like?”. This question can feel like a trick. After all, every church is different and no two services look exactly the same. However, there are some common elements that you can use to describe your typical service.In a word, a typical service will be long - not only in length but also in the amount of content. In addition to the typical length, almost every other aspect of a typical service differs from church to church. From music style to sermon type, everything varies widely from one church to another, even within the same denomination or branch of Christianity.In general, a typical church service will include the following elements:

Worship

The very first thing you will notice when you walk into a typical service is the amount of time dedicated to worship. In most cases, the first hour or so of the service is focused on praising and singing God. This is true of most churches, regardless of size, denomination, or location.

Sermon

After worship has finished, the main part of the service begins — the sermon. While the length and style of sermons can vary wildly, the length is often between 30 and 45 minutes. Sermons are often times when the pastor of the church shares his or her thoughts on a particular scripture or topic. Other times, the sermon is given by a guest speaker.

Bible Reading

While sermons are focused on the teachings of Jesus Christ, Bible reading is focused on the teachings of the apostles and other New Testament authors. Bible reading often takes place on a weekly basis, although some churches might choose to read the Bible or a particular book of the Bible more frequently.

Dedication

The dedication segment of the service is focused on bringing new members of the congregation forward and welcoming them into the fold. This segment of the service can often include a short ritual where members of the congregation are welcomed into the church family with either a handshake or a hug. This segment of the service can also include a prayer that is specific to new members and their journey to becoming a part of the church family.

Conclusion

A typical church service will often last between one and two hours. During that time, you will hear sermons, read from the Bible, sing songs, and listen to a talk from your pastor.Worship and Bible reading are common elements at any Christian church, while the sermon and dedication are specific to Christian churches.