All sorts of ‘Os

Part 1 the WARNO

In the Army we have an orders process which consists of 3 main parts; Warning Orders (WARNO gives the “heads up”), Operations Orders (OPORD gives the plan), and Fragmentary Orders (FRAGO completely changes the plan, because the plan stunk anyways). This is the basic flow of how we get things accomplished in the Army, and it kind of fits how Chapel is run as well. Over the next several posts I will relate these orders to distinct elements of Chapel, and offer some suggestions to crafting a better service.

The bulletin is the WARNO of Chapel services. It gives you a heads up as to what you are about to experience for the next hour to hour and a half.

Here are my suggestions for bulletin improvement:

1. Worse graphics.
Unlike a WARNO the bulletin usually comes complete with a topical picture on the front. Churches will usually have some outdoor scenery with a verse or some flowers/doves. Chapel bulletins do the same except we work in the flag more often and switch the dove for an eagle. Looking at those outdoor scenes makes me want to be in them, not crammed up in a pew wishing the 20ft distance between me and the ceiling fan was 2inches instead. This can easily be remedied by putting depressing scenes on the front of the bulletin with verses like, "....and those who look out of the windows are darkened." (Ecclesiastes 12:3) That would keep my attention on the sermon and not on gazing wistfully outside.

2. Less detail.
Including a detailed sequence of events takes away the mystery. I want my "Oh Leviticus 13 where did that come from?" moment. Plus it ensures that when the Chaplain which got pegged with running the service forgets to dismiss the kids for children's church, I won't let out an overly loud "Oh snap!" in the middle of the silent prayer while I am perusing the bulletin.

3. Truth in advertising.
On the song sheet included with the bulletin where there is a little "x2" next to the chorus of all the praise songs, and occasionally the verses, just go ahead and bump those numbers up (maybe to x a million, that sounds about right). You and I both know that the worship leader isn't going to let that song go after just twice through the chorus. Better yet, write out the entire chorus about ten times at the end of each song. This will make the song sheet a little longer, we could turn it into a song scroll, that sounds way more holy anyways.

Each Chapel/Church does their bulletin a little different, got a suggestion for yours, post it here. I love to get your comments so keep 'em coming.