Thread: Laity Giving the Benediction

Is this appropriate?

At out church, it seems to be a way to involve men who are not elders or deacons. Each week, the staff choose a different man to do it (with some repeats, eventually, of course) - and they only select men who have been faithful in serving, some lay teaching, and have upright households, but who simply are not ordained. Basically, they choose 'informal' leaders. This week my name came up.

For definition's sake, at our church a benediction is a closing prayer after the sermon and final hymn, and is the very last part of the service.

My first reaction is this: the benediction is serious, and representing the congregation before God is serious. I very strongly feel that sort of representation of the church before God, and formal leadership of the congregation in petition to Him, ought to be reserved for ordained men.

I have a few days to confirm with them, so I'm curious how other churches view this. Any resources that would be helpful?

Our church does not practice this, and personally if I were placed is such a position, I would readily decline. The benediction is reminiscent of the priestly benediction of the days of the temple/tabernacle, and IMO is not a function that should be performed by laity within the context of formal worship.

Theognome

Jeremy, coming at this from a Presbyterian perspective, I'm not sure I can be of much help. In our circles, the benediction is not the same thing as a closing prayer, and only someone ordained to the ministry of the word (i.e., a pastor) can pronounce the benediction. The Scriptural examples of benedictions being given by members of the Aaronic priesthood (Numbers 6:23-26 ) and Apostles (e.g., 2 Corinthians 13:14) are often used to show that such an important part of worship (as you rightly indicate) should not be left up to "just anybody" but someone who has been set apart for such a part of ministry.

Originally Posted by Marrow Man

In our circles, the benediction is not the same thing as a closing prayer, and only someone ordained to the ministry of the word (i.e., a pastor) can pronounce the benediction.

My reaction was the same - a benediction isn't a prayer, and should be pronounced with the congregation looking forward, or upward.

Originally Posted by Edward

Originally Posted by Marrow Man

In our circles, the benediction is not the same thing as a closing prayer, and only someone ordained to the ministry of the word (i.e., a pastor) can pronounce the benediction.

My reaction was the same - a benediction isn't a prayer, and should be pronounced with the congregation looking forward, or upward.

Even in Presbyterian circles, this is a hard habit for people to get out of. I'm not sure the reason why -- I speculate it is because of past church experiences where it is treated like a "closing prayer," but I don't know. I've repeatedly told my congregation they should be looking forward, and I'll even precede the benediction with something like, "Please look forward and receive the benediction...", but some folks still look down.

This is kind of funny, because when I visit my in-laws (CRC), I am the only one who doesn't look down as if their benediction were a prayer. Her family has certainly noticed this, and probably thinks I'm really weird or don't know protocol, but they haven't said anything I would love for our church to use the benediction properly, but instead it is what it is, and I've been asked to do it.

Although I'm still pretty strongly settled on not doing it, is there anyone on the other side?

Originally Posted by Marrow Man

Even in Presbyterian circles, this is a hard habit for people to get out of. I'm not sure the reason why -- I speculate it is because of past church experiences where it is treated like a "closing prayer," but I don't know. I've repeatedly told my congregation they should be looking forward, and I'll even precede the benediction with something like, "Please look forward and receive the benediction...", but some folks still look down.

Our leaders are also making a conscious effort in this area, usually preceding the benediction with a 'Lift your eyes toward the Lord and receive the benediction.'

My personal preference is for Biblically based benedictions, rather than those from other sources.

Originally Posted by Edward

My personal preference is for Biblically based benedictions, rather than those from other sources.

Ditto here. I only use Biblically-based benedictions.

Originally Posted by smhbbag

Although I'm still pretty strongly settled on not doing it, is there anyone on the other side?

Well, perhaps you have some room to do it, since it appears to be a closing prayer that they are asking for, rather than a pronouncement of a benediction.

Yep, that's a good point.

Well, perhaps you have some room to do it, since it appears to be a closing prayer that they are asking for, rather than a pronouncement of a benediction.

It seems just as bad - whether to be pronouncing a blessing from God and formal parting words, or to be formally representing the congregation in petition before the Lord. Not much difference, in my mind, as far as the weight of it is concerned.

Jeremy, I don't know if this helps, but maybe it will (or maybe it will confuse you more!): when I accepted my first call to the pastorate, I had to wait a few weeks (3 or 4) before the ordination and installation service could be arranged (in presbyterianism, a minister is ordained by members of the presbytery at a service). So, for about 3 or 4 Lord's Days, I was preaching and leading worship, but I was not technically ordained. Thus, I could not give a benediction according to our standards. So for those services, I simply said something like, "In lieu of a benediction, let's have a closing prayer." Perhaps you could do something similar.

I'll yield to guidance from my betters on this issue, but I'm not sure that there is a problem with a member of the congregation praying during corporate worship.

If it is not a minister, then it is not a benediction. "Only" a prayer. May sound like a distinction without a difference, but I think it is an important distinction.