Our pastor has been on sabbatical for a number of weeks, and I've either filled the pulpit or led the liturgy during this time. A few of those weeks, I have pronounced a benediction at the end of the service. (There is also an ordained EPC teaching elder in our congregation who has administered the Lord's Supper on weeks when he's there, and he does the benediction those weeks as well.)

It recently came to my attention that the benediction is seen by some as reserved for Teaching Elders. (Some say that only applies to apostolic benedictions, though.) Usually the benedictions I pronounce are not directly from scripture, but instead are tied into the sermon that was just preached.

So, I'm wondering... even though I am an ordained Ruling Elder, have I violated either the letter or spirit of our constitution by pronouncing a benediction upon my people? Have I missed or glossed-over something in the Standards? Where can I find a position paper or something similar?

(Disclaimer - I am not personally convinced of the three-office view, but regardless, I don't want to be a rabble-rouser. I'm not out to promote my two-office convictions.)

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Rae W. | Elder @ Grace Central Presbyterian Church | Columbus, OH
Online presence: blog | twitter | facebook

I agree with you. I think it's perfectly fine for you to give the benediction after you preach. You've given saints the Word of God and you're pronouncing God's blessing upon the fruitfulness of the Word.

slightly but this reminds me of another issue close to this one - the word "preaching" in the OPC and URC is only to be used to describe the ordained. Ordained men "preach" - non ordained men "exhort". A pet peeve of mine.

I'm glad the PCA allows their ruling elders in the pulpit.

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Toni Cunningham, Wife of Bill (Theognome)
Parkwoods OPC, Overland Park KS

"Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, As, to be hated, needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace." ~ Alexander Pope

Before I was ordained, I would say to this effect: "God gave the words of this benediction to you," and plainly read from Numbers 6.

At that time, I honored the custom of reserving the apostolic benediction (2Cor.13:14) for those successors to the apostles, Christ's ministers.

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Rev. Bruce G. Buchanan
ChainOLakes Presbyterian Church, CentralLake, MI


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The ARP Form of Gov't specifically states that only ordained ministers (i.e., TEs) can pronounce the benediction. This was not even an option for me; I'm not sure about the PCA. On the occasions when I preached prior to ordination, I would say something like "In lieu of a benediction, let's close in prayer..."

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Tim Phillips
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"Wherever the gospel is preached, it is as if God Himself came into the midst of us." ~ John Calvin

Ruling Elders are allowed to give a benediction in the RPCNA because of the two office view, I would assume that our other Presbyterian body that is two office would hold to the same.

If you are not allowed- it really defeats the two office position, IMO.

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Pastor Nathan Eshelman, Los Angeles, CA
Reformed Presbyterian Church
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I am a bit confused as to why our brother Rae is in this dilemma. Can someone elaborate on why there are those who believe the benediction is only rightfully given by an ordained elder? It seems that in some denominations (including my own - ARP), the benediction is elevated over the sermon (i.e., some men may preach but not give benediction)?

Does it come down to a two vs. three office view, as mentioned above?

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Tim Lindsay
member, Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, Halifax, NS, Canada
Living in Cape Town, South Africa
"under the Southern Cross, at the foot of Table Mountain, not far from the Cape of Good Hope"

Rae,

If you were in the OPC, this would never be allowed!!!

Because of their 3-office view.

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Rev. Andrew J. Barnes
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Here is what the ARP Directory of Public Worship says (I have removed the Scripture references because they mess with the formatting; I can give a link if anyone is interested):

From an ARP perspective, it looks like offering up an ascription (e.g., Rom. 16:25-27, Jude 24-25) or offering up a prayer based on a benediction might be a compromise. Perhaps you can run this by your Session and see if it is fitting with the PCA BCO.

The PCA BCO says nothing directly about who may or may not give a benediction (even though, the section pertaining to the ordination of Teaching Elders, there's a wording that might leave room for a Ruling Elder to do so).

I posed this question on Twitter as well, and it seems that (as far as the PCA goes), it's simply understood tradition that the benediction is reserved for Teaching Elders. So, I'm relieved that I broke no standing rule. Whether I'll do it again in the future is another question.

Funny that you mention that. First time I did this, Dr. Oliphint from WTS (whose ordination is with the OPC) was in the congregation.

When "closing" a service in which I am exhorting, since I am not Ordained, I just offer a closing payer.

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Benjamin P. Glaser, M. Div, Licentiate, Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Member Fairmount ARP Church
Pittsburgh, PA

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