Before we go further, I have a word of caution here. In keeping with what was said in the previous section, I do not want to set out a list of rules. I do not want to tell you exactly what we should do, step by step, in our Memorial Meetings.

Instead, I do want to discuss the spirit in which we perform the various roles and functions which make up our meetings. At any given moment, some of us are appointed to take the lead, in praying or speaking or playing the piano. The rest of us follow: We say "Amen" to the prayers, indicating understanding and consent ("So be it"; "I agree"). We listen carefully to the exhortation. We join in praising God with the music that is played.

As I said before, I believe it is very, very important that we pay special attention to the attitude and spirit with which we do all these things, because it is with our minds and our spirits — and not just our actions — that we glorify the Lord.

Bro. Robert Roberts said much the same thing in The Ecclesial Guide. He wrote:

"The true secret of success… lies in the rich indwelling of the word of Christ in each individual member of an ecclesia… When every mind is influenced by the Word, the worst rules work smoothly. When it is otherwise, the best will [fail]… When the commandments of Christ are remembered and acted on… it will be easy to carry out any system of rules. In fact, a small company where Christ is ascendant in the heart can get on best without set rules."

With this in mind, I will make suggestions as to how we do certain things. I don't intend to tell you that my suggestions are the only way, or even the right way, to do something. I am just saying that, for me and others, it seems to have its advantages.

Furthermore, I'm certainly not saying that God or Christ has commanded us to do it in this particular way. I am suggesting a certain approach because I think it could have a positive spiritual benefit.

I will quote some Bible passages so as to point out general principles. How we apply those general principles to the specifics of worship is really up to each of us as individuals — or perhaps to the whole ecclesia, but only by an ecclesial decision.

Now, the parts of our worship service.

Some of the ideas and thoughts expressed here have been borrowed from Bro. Harry Tennant's little book, Ye Servants of the Lord.