Soren Kierkegaard, the 19th century Danish philosopher, liked to say that if worship is a drama, then God alone is the audience. Of course, sometimes the congregation feels like the audience–with the clergy, choir, and acolytes putting on a show. But we are all meant to be actors in this play because liturgy is something we offer to God together. (The Greek word leitourgia actually means “work of the people.”) This means the most important role to play on any given Sunday is that of an active member of the congregation.
For worship to flow smoothly, however, we rely on the efforts of a large number of volunteers. There are many essential leadership roles for active lay members of the parish.
