METROPOLITAN SPIRITUAL CHURCH OF CHRIST

MINISTERS IN TRAINING

October 22, 2009

“How should I conduct myself in Another Pulpit?”

‘Home and Abroad’

“There are certain items of protocol and etiquette that every minister ought to know…..it boils down to common sense”. Yes common sense. We all grew up in a home where it was expected to have the proper home training before we went to visit others. Our parents wanted to make sure we did not bring shame to them when they allowed us to visit friends and relatives. We were taught to be respectful and say “Yes/No, ma’am/sir, please, thank you, excuse me and may I. Also, when you encounter a situation your parents did not teach you, use common sense. So when we visited people would say that’s so and so child and they are so well manner and respectful.

This type of home training is applied to the pulpit from the same angel and a lot of common sense. Many people believe by growing up in church we will have all the pulpit basic training needed. Well, not true. There are some pastors and seasoned associates who will take the time to explain pulpit etiquette, but then there are those who may think you already know what to do.

How am I to conduct myself when visiting another church?

Always wait for an invitation from the minister in charge before you take a seat in the pulpit.

Unless ask to preach never carry your robe in church.

If you are visiting another church and have not had the opportunity to speak to the pastor or the minister in charge before service begins, sit in the congregation.

Be humbly willing to abide by the rules of that house of worship without deprecatory comments against the manner of worship, order of service, or against the leaders and members of the house.

If asked to preach find out the allotted time and do not go over your time limit.

Avoid a “take-over” spirit when you minister at any place of worship. No matter how much more important you feel you are than the pastor. Refuse to entertain a judgmental or disapproving spirit against another minister.

Be Punctual
Arrive to church at least 15 minutes before worship service.
If running late call the church to inform the pastor.
If you are late and worship started sit in the congregation not the pulpit.
Be attentive to the flow of the service.
Do not disrupt the flow of the service by offering unauthorized commentary or adding elements without pastoral permission.

Always acknowledge the pastor who allows you to preach in their pulpit.
The pastor is showing trust and confidence in you by allowing you to minister the Word to her/his congregation.

Always encourage the pastor who allows you to preach in their pulpit.
Give the pastor some encouragement publicly or privately. Send a thank you card or note to the pastor who invited you.

Always do what you have been asked to do.
If asked to pray during altar call, do not sing your favorite song.
If asked to read scripture, do not try to adlib or provide a mini-sermon.

When asked to say a few words, say a few words. No matter how much preach you may feel, cut it short. In your study times, learn a few bible examples and examples from other sources that cover various topics of interest. There are many that can be fluently expressed in one to five minutes.

The pastor has a planned program and it is his privilege alone to change it.

“Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Always support the preacher.
Good preachers support the preacher while she/he is preaching.

Always treat the pulpit area with the utmost respect.
While the worship service is in progress, you should be concentrating on worship, demonstrate good posture and countenance the congregation is watching you.

Pulpit Manners

Look and act your best

When sitting in the pulpit, men and women should never cross their legs above the ankles.  Women sitting in the pulpit should use something (large handkerchief) to cover their legs from the knees down to their ankles.  

Stay alert and always pay attention to whoever is speaking. When your time comes, you will want the same courtesy.  

Turn off cell phones and/or pagers in the pulpit; remember in most cases you are sitting in front of the entire congregation.

Raising Money

If you are asked to raise the offering or tithers make sure that you have your money first before asking others to give.

If you are in charge of the pulpit during a service where a guess pastor and his/her church is present, always bring that pastor up so he/she may give instructions to their church body.

Always speak audibly and distinctly.
Learn how to use the microphones properly.
Adjust the microphone to the proper height.
Speak directly into the microphone, but do not swallow it.
Listen carefully to how the microphones are set when you are in an unfamiliar setting.
Keep the microphone between you and the direction you are facing while you speak.

How am I to conduct myself at my home church?

Head of the House

The head of a local house is the Senior Pastor, regardless of his/her title. He/she sets the ground rules. Customs of worship are influenced greatly by the pastor. It is his discretion who starts and how the order of service is to be carried out. Different churches have developed their own special habits of service. Some follow traditional patterns developed by various denominational customs.

Basking (verb:  derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in ("She relished her fame and basked in her glory") in the feelings of exhilaration, or joy, or ecstasy, or sorrow, or vigor, or whatever emotion is produced by the move of God's Spirit, edifies or entertains self. Being led by the Spirit of God is quietly yielding to His Spirit, while controlling the human spirit and bringing it under subjection to the Spirit of God and following His instructions.

1Corinthains 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

There may be times when you feel that God is moving and prompting you that He wants to heal someone, or give someone a message, during a service under the authority of a minister other than yourself. You must wait until the Holy Spirit gives opportunity, and do nothing unless the minister in charge gives permission to act or speak. If the minister refuses to give permission, keep silent and do not allow resentment or rebellion against that minister spoil the move of the Holy Spirit in your life. Remember, "The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet". You may think, "what about the scripture in Acts 5:29, "We ought to obey God rather than men? That scripture deals with an entirely different circumstance. Acts 5 deals with men who were trying to stop the witness of the Gospel of Christ Jesus. Here, we are dealing with proper conduct and order in worship service in the House of the Lord.

Yield to the Holy Spirit, He will give opportunities replace lost opportunities. Do not despair if a minister refuses to allow you to act under a move of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not the "author of confusion" but of peace in our hearts and in the meetings in His church.

Be attentive to the needs of your pastor and visiting preachers
Make sure that the preacher has the proper liquids available (an usher or pastor’s aid will handle this).

For the guest preacher find out before hand the prefer water temperature.

Familiarize yourself with your pastor’s post-sermon routine (i.e., cape, coat or scarf around the neck) to avoid the affects of a draft after preaching. You may travel with your pastor and would be responsible
if the pastor or guest pastor needs to change out of their wet clothes after service, gently usher them to the pastor’s study.

Be a catalyst for worship
Participation in the elements of worship can do a lot to set the tone in the congregation.
Learn how to leave your worries, problems and negative emotions out of the pulpit.
Remember the congregation watches your demeanor and your attitude.

Prayerfully Support the Preacher
Preaching is hard work. The preacher is a representing God and is in constant spiritual battle. Use prayer to uplift the preacher while preaching
whether your pastor or another associate is preaching have a guaranteed “amen” from you.

In Conclusion

Public Worship and service for the Lord should be a time of unity of spirit among His people; a time of repentance; a time of learning; a time of communion with God; a time of receiving answers to prayer. Most of all, it should be a time of joyful fellowship with the Lord and "those of like precious faith." II Peter 1:1.