Within Reformed Baptist circles there is differing opinion as to whether taking up the Offering during the service is an element of worship warranted from Scripture. I would appreciate any thoughts on this issue. Perhaps this has already been discussed and I couldn't find the thread.

I am not well-read in Acts yet, however, looking at passages like Acts 2:42-47, it seemed that their fellowship was strong and on-going. Verse 45 mentions selling their possessions and distributing as to the needs of the brethren. Acts 4:32-37 similarly speaks about this.

I don't recall a passage where a tithe (or offering) was specifically taken up during a service. In fact, I don't recall them specifically talking about a Sabbath service (other than when Jesus and others are mentioned teaching in the synagogue).

I think it may have evolved that with the "busy-ness" of our lives, the offering has become part of the worship service rather than apart, which it may have been. I doubt the collection would be as abundant if congregants were asked outside of the worship service, because people leave (if it were taken up after the service), or people would simply not bring/send it in during the week. This doesn't justify having it during the service (if it is inappropriate to do so), rather, it shows our failings.

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Mitch
Presbyterian Church of Coventry, CT (PCA)

1Cor 16:2On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

I would say yes...my church does it during the worship service.

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sarah
WI
OPC
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The issue has been discussed frequently, although I'm not sure if ever strictly respecting Reformed Baptists (though the similitude of the WCF and LBC on this point is suggestive). The offering is not included as an element of worship in the WCF; and the Directory for Publick Worship states that, when done, "the collection for the poor is so to be ordered, that no part of the publick worship be thereby hindered." A collection box in which people could place money privately was customary.

Here are two succinct yet helpful threads dealing with the issue:
Giving in Worship and the WCF
Giving in Worship (Church History)

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Paul Korte
OPC
Flint, MI

They who perceive in themselves discoveries of the divine goodness, so full and absolutely perfect, and who make them the subject of earnest meditation, will never embrace new doctrines, by which the very grace they feel so powerfully in themselves is thrown into the shade. --John Calvin

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I like the idea of a box in the foyer where people can tithe anonymously.

One church we visit has an old Christmas cookies gift tin next to the pulpit for tithes and offerings. It's funny because they don't even celebrate Christmas there!

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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

So are you saying that my pastor is sinning because we take up the offering during the worship service? He is also an OPC pastor. What does the OPC say about when to take an offering?

I honestly don't recall saying that.

I'm not sure what, precisely, the OPC says about when to take an offering, though given that it generally seems to happen by passing the plate in the service, I imagine they're pretty fine with it.

Yes, they are and here's why link

Thank you Sarah. This is the kind of resource I was looking for!

This has been the practice of our church from its first day.

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Bob, elder, RBC Louisville. 1689 LBCF

"... Of such also, or of those who make a credible profession of being such, all those particular churches consist, which constitute our Lord's visible kingdom. ... Consequently, all the subjects of His government must have spiritual dispositions, , and yield spiritual obedience- obedience proceeding from an enlightened understanding, an awakened conscience, and a renewed heart."- Abraham Booth 1788

Is the Offering an Element, a Circumstance, or Neither? Heidelblog

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R. Scott Clark, D.Phil
Westminster Seminary California
Associate Pastor, Oceanside URC
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No rationale or justification given from me here. However, I will say that our independent Bible church treats the offering as an integral element of worship -- and exclusively so. That is, there is never an offering taken at any other time or place.

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Jim
1689 LBCF
Independent Bible Church
North Texas, USA

Excellent article. Thank you.

Given the offerings brought to the temple in the Old Testament, I'd think there's plenty of Biblical basis to commend having the offering during the service.

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JWithnell
Member Bethel OPC
Virginia
http://learningyesican.blogspot.com/

This is correct; unaltered Westminster does not include the collection as an element of worship. Bear in mind though, churches that have changed practice in this regard as in others did not always amend the Confession. For instance, the Directory for Public Worship of the PCUSA in 1789 included a collection for the poor just prior to the benediction (see an 1823 printing here). Whether it was considered an element or not is a good question to look into. I've not done any collation but obviously the practice evolved and moved to a central portion of the service in many churches.

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Chris Coldwell, Lakewood Presbyterian Church (PCA), Dallas, Texas.
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The Regulative Principle: The Scriptures are the “only infallible rule of faith and practice, no rite or ceremony ought to have a place in the public worship of God, which is not warranted in Scripture, either by direct precept or example, or by good and sufficient inference” (Samuel Miller).

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I can add to the observation on the practice developing over the years: when I was a small child, I attended a mainline Presby church that went back far enough that it was likely a solid church at one point. They had an ancient collection box out in the entrance and a collection plate that was passed: people were told to follow the practice that they preferred.