Does the position of the offering in the service make a difference? In Lutheran churches, we typically have the offering placed after the sermon. The offering is so placed because in its position there, because our offerings are given to God as an act of thanks. Our offerings are one of the ways in which we respond to the Gospel which was shared with us in the Sermon.
In most American churches, the offering is placed before the "message." Having been brought up in a liturgical church, this has always seemed backwards to me. Although one can respond to the Gospel before or after the sermon, it has always seemed to me to be best to respond to the Gospel in its fullest and most complete proclomation, the Sermon.
Of course, in many American "evangelical" churches, there is very little Gospel present in their messages, sometimes none at all. If there is no Gospel present in the sermon, the position of the offering becomes somewhat more fluid. It seems that the most common place of the offering in non-liturgical churches is after their 'Music Segment'. This actually makes some sense. It many modern churches the Praise Music and prayers are the only times Jesus as Savior is even mentioned. And it is after this sliver of Gospel that they put the Offering.
Perhaps it is only coincidence, but I find it it interesting that as much as many of today's "Pastors" are little more than motivational speakers, they seem to think that the Praise Music is more of an motivator than their own speaking.
Do evangelicals realize that they are preaching only law and that the law cannot provide a right motivation?
Do evangelicals simply view the Offering as a requirement and therefore do not worry about right motivation. (If they are only offering as a legal requirement, is there giving a truly good work? [motivated by the Gospel] Is it potentialy sinful? [done without faith, as faith is not of the law and the law is not of faith])
Monday, August 20, 2007
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4 comments:
I moved the offering in our services to before the message. I'm emphasizing that every human action is a response to God's initiative. I want people thinking about that from the beginning.
Frankly it's an experiment, we'll see how it works.
Rev. Norman Prather
Creighton-Center Parish
UCC/UMC
Pastor,
I am encouraged to hear you say that you are emphasizing that every human action is a response to God's actions. There are too many today who teach that God's actions are in fact the response to our actions such as fasting or prayer.
I am curious however, how do you think placing the offering before the sermon emphasize that are actions are merely reactions to God's actions? I cannot see how this placement can emphasize that fact.
I also find your comment of the placement being an experiment interesting. How do you intend to judge the results of the experiment?
Thanks pastor, I appreciate your time and input.
I suppose part of it is personal. When discussing the planning of worship and the placement of various parts of the service I always flashback to John Lemmon(?) playing an older priest advising a young priest. "Put the offering after the sermon. It's your scorecard. It tells you how good the sermon is." I want people responding to God. I want the offering to be about God not about how good or how angry the sermon made them.
How will I test it? By listening to my congregation. Is it touching them or merely confusing them.
NTP
Pastor,
I completely understand the idea of wanting to remove yourself from the process of your parishoners giving to God. However, just as God works with us through means (Word and Sacrament). We also give to God through means (whether it be through the church proper, through Christian relief organization, or giving a thirsty person a glass of cold water [Matt 25:40]).
When people give in the offering, it is not only about them and God. I can give my time and money to God through many different means as I see fit. Giving money in the offering is only one means of giving to God, and it is supporting a specific ministry, that of the church in general and specificaly of your personal ministry as a pastor. In most cases, giving money in the offering supports that particular church, its ministries, and its pastor.
The attitude of giving (as well as the amount) is always going to be affected (at least indirectly, though in my experience usually directly) by the pastor's administration of the churches ministries. Sunday morning preaching is the most visible of these ministries to the average parishoner.
Placing the offering before the sermon may have a small effect on this on a Sunday by Sunday basis, but your parishoners will still give you a "score", and their support for your ministries, monetary and otherwise, will either increase or decrease because of it.
Yes, the offering is a gift from a believer to God. However it given to God by means of your church. The Holy spirit will use the gift through the means of your church. To most people, the pastor is the representative of the church, and regardless of where you put the offering in the service the pastor is still where people first look to judge a church.
In any case, regarding your original comment. I see how placing the offering before the sermon may de-emphasize (but not eliminate) your effect on the offering. However that still does not necessarily mean that it emphasized the fact that it is a response to God's action.
Thanks again.
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