DIF PLATFORM TEAM

WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS THAT ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT GIVING THE GOSPEL, GATHERING THE NATIONS, AND GROWING THE KINGDOM.

Why do we have a DIF Platform Team?

The DIF Platform Team, through their different roles, play a pivotal part in facilitating an anointed church service.

The Service MC is a significant front-facing role that engages directly with the congregation, responsible for communicating and presenting with excellence the vision of the church and pertinent details relating to its mission with enthusiasm, confidence and wisdom.

The Preacher has a privileged and important role in the service as they give voice to the Word of God through interpreting, teaching and presenting the Bible in ways that are relevant and meaningful to our congregation.

The role the DIF Platform Team plays in this vision

A platform is not just a stage. It is a space that provides an opportunity to cast a message to a group of people who, for the most part, approach that platform intentionally and with purpose. As such, they place a level of trust and credibility in what, how, when, and why the information is being shared, and are sensitive to how this unfolds.

Thus, for anyone who stewards the platform at DIF, our priorities should be: for people to know that they have encountered God and had an opportunity for further ministry; they have been welcomed and were glad they were there; and to know that we played a part in connecting them to God and each other.

How do we do this?

The Platform Team does not function in isolation but serves with the wider service team rostered on for the service. We are one team made up of different parts, each using our talents and skills for His glory.

How Platform Team decisions are made?

The Pastoral Leadership of DIF make platform decisions prayerfully and strategically, keenly aware that they are responsible with its stewardship. Ever-mindful of the humble privilege yet burden to grow and expand His church, the Pastoral Leadership of DIF give opportunities to other leaders who show evidence of: being community-minded, humble, and teachable; promoting unity; actively contributing towards the vision and culture of the church; honouring the leadership; aware that its not about themselves; respecting the time and brief assigned; mindful of the context and being effective not offensive; trustworthy (won’t make us regret sharing the mic); and carrying the heart of the leadership.

The Service MC

Guiding the service with purpose and connection

The Service MC is a key front-facing position engaging directly with our congregation during our service, responsible for skilfully transitioning between and combining together the different elements of our service with excellence to facilitate an engaging worship experience for all

Key Tasks

  • Introduce yourself and share the heart and culture of DIF
  • Warmly welcome people by being a friendly face with a heartfelt welcome for all
  • Deliver efficient yet effective announcements
  • Facilitate our time(s) of giving
  • Lead anointed time(s) of prayer
  • Provide skilful direction that keeps the service flow by seamlessly transitioning between service elements to ensure everyone is fully engaged at all times
  • Outwork the above with enthusiasm, confidence, flexibility, and wisdom which comes from prayerful preparation

Expectations

  • Be on-time and communicate with the Worship Leader and Preacher to work out cues
  • Familiarise yourself with service runsheet and runtimes and honour them
  • Know what needs to be communicated, when, and how as you prepare your slides and notes - preparation is key
  • Provide succinct encouragement - no sermonettes
  • Be authentic, humble, energetic, and own your mess-ups
  • Submit your slides to the Pastoral Administrator by 5:00pm on a Friday
  • Be open to feedback and direction from the DIF Leadership Team
  • Above all else, be with Jesus - prioritise our spiritual well being over this role

Practical Service Script Examples
  • Welcome Everyone: Good morning DIF family! I’m [Your Name], and it’s great to see you all here today. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, we’re thrilled to worship together. To find out more about us, ask for prayer, or find out What’s Happening at DIF you can scan the QR code on screen or complete this Connect Card and put it in the Giving Bag that will pass you by shortly.
  • Tell People What’s Next: Get ready for an incredible service! We’re going to continue this powerful time of worship in a moment, followed by an inspiring message from [Speaker’s Name], but first it’s time for [name element]. It’s going to be good!
  • Announcements: Just a few important announcements this week [date, time, contact point, and action required - nothing long or unnecessarily detailed]. We’d love you to get involved! If you want to find out more visit our Info Hub, located on the left at the main doors after the service or find one of our leaders who are raising their hands now.
  • Continue in Worship: Let’s stand together as we continue our worship this morning. Let’s open our hearts and invite the Holy Spirit to move among us. Feel free to lift your hands, sing out, whatever you feel comfortable with and let this be a time of encountering God in a real way.
  • Introduce The Preacher: Now, it’s my pleasure to introduce our speaker. A person who is devoted to bringing us closer to God. I know today’s message is going to stir up our faith. So without further ado, please join me in welcoming [Speaker’s Name] to the stage.
  • Giving Talk: Giving is a beautiful act of worship and stewardship. It is also very practical, supporting the various ministries of our church. As we prepare to give this morning, let’s reflect on the blessings we’ve received and the impact our generosity can make [then provide current Giving Instructions per slides].
  • End The Service: As we come to the end of our time together, I want to take this opportunity to thank each one of you again for joining us. We pray His peace, protection, provision, and perspective upon you as you leave. If you have children in DIF KIDS, please collect them now and thank our team who have served them. If you would like further prayer, please come up the front now - our Praise & Worship Team will remain here. Have a blessed week and we look forward to seeing you same time, same place next week!

The Preacher

Giving voice to the Word

The Preacher has a privileged and important role in the service as they give voice to the Word of God through interpreting, teaching and presenting the Bible in ways that are relevant and meaningful to our congregation. They steward a very visible and critical platform at this time, serving as a vessel to facilitate reflection and encourage a response to the message.

Key Tasks

  • Introduce yourself and share the heart and culture of DIF
  • Follow series or message guidelines as provided by the DIF Pastoral Team
  • Ensure their message is well prepared, thoroughly researched, theologically consistent with the values of the church, and above all else, inspired and led by the Holy Spirit
  • Offer invitation(s) for response and action
  • Lead (or give direction to Worship Leader) during times of response
  • End strong as you ensure that your parting words leave a lasting impression on Jesus, not you - be invisible as you usher people into this final response
  • Outwork the above with enthusiasm, confidence, flexibility, and wisdom which comes from prayerful preparation

Expectations

  • Be on-time and communicate with the Worship Leader, MC, and Pastoral Team to work out cues and seek any further guidance
  • Familiarise yourself with service runsheet and runtimes and honour them
  • Know your message, audience, and context - preparation is key
  • Be authentic, humble, energetic, and own your mess-ups
  • Submit your slides to the Pastoral Administrator by 5:00pm on a Friday
  • Be open to feedback and direction from the DIF Leadership Team
  • Above all else, be with Jesus - prioritise our spiritual well being over this role

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds...

HEBREWS 10:24

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

2 TIMOTHY 4:2

Guidelines

Read, agree to, and sign all DIF policies. More than documents, these are non-negotiable habits that are purposed to provide a child-safe and spiritually-rich environment for everyone to thrive.

Arrive on time and participate in our pre-service huddle at 10:00am.

Refrain from eating, drinking, or using a device while serving (unless for your notes).

Be sincere, friendly, and smile! You are often the first person people have talked to. Display positive body language e.g., smile, eye contact, good posture, and polite distance.

Please be respectful with your clothing choices - comfortable, true-to-your-style, yet mindful of not causing anyone to stumble.

Connect with the DIF Pastoral Team with any questions to clarify any questions or details specific to the weekend that you feel uncertain of.

Maintain contact with other Platform Team members and seek to build relationship together [as well as with the other teams] - we are not siloes that exist in isolation.

Respond to messages and emails in the DIF Platform Team chat or via email; respond to PCO invitations; note your block out dates each month; and advise the DIF Pastoral Team if there is any conflict with your dates.

Provide feedback on how the transitions between other service elements and teams went, give your ideas on how we can strive for excellence.

Remain humble and teachable, mindful that it’s not actually about you, and there is always room for you to improve.

Know our “DIF Language” e.g., Known DIF Students (KNOWN, DIF Students or Students not youth); Life Groups (not small or connect groups); DIF Kids (not children's ministries or Sunday school); Giving (weekly and regular giving - not tithes & offerings). Minimise Christianese, slang, too many adjectives, and ‘filler’ words e.g., ummm. Keep it G-rated and reference Scripture rather than assume people ‘just know’.

Honour the role you’ve been given and please don’t push your own agenda.

Ensure you are familiar with and respect the prepared service runsheet and runtimes.

Lead out of who you are and don’t try to be, sound, or act like anybody other than yourself.

Eagerly and faithfully engage in training opportunities as a means for growth! As such, we honour your time and know that you are busy but periodically there will be important information to present to you as a DIF Platform Team Member. As such, you are required to attend these occasional meetings that provide fellowship, communicate up-to-date information, vision-casting, and space for feedback and improvements that will benefit our whole body so prioritise these.

Above all else, be with God! Before any ‘do’, your priority must be to dwell in His presence, seek His leading, and respond to His Spirit to not only maintain but strengthen your relationship with Him. Only from the overflow of this communion can you minister to others.

RESOURCES

Things to help you grow

The Service MC

NOTE: These are by no means the only transitions nor the only style - it was hard to find churches that stream their entire service to capture transitions! The objective is for you to pay attention to the transition cues and flow between service elements.
Sample Notes

The Preacher

ADDITIONAL  PREP NOTES