Offering as Element of Worship

[PaulCLawton]

Hello folks, do you consider the offering as an element of worship? For those who would answer in the affirmative, would you then say that service (assuming all other elements are present) is not properly called a worship service, or merely deficient?

 

[Jeri Tanner]

I don’t. There are, I think, a couple of Puritanboard threads on the topic where any collection mentioned in our standards and other documents is one taken up for the poor, and is taken in such a way as not to be confused with an element of worship.

 

[JimmyH]

The OPC Book of Church Order considers it an element of worship.

DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP

The Bringing of Offerings II, B.4 (Page 139-140 4)

4. The Bringing of Offerings a. The bringing of offerings in the public assembly of God’s people on the Lord’s Day is a solemn act of worship to almighty God. The people of God are to set aside to him the firstfruits of their labors; in so doing, they should present themselves with thanksgiving as a living sacrifice to God. All should participate in this act of worship when God gives opportunity for it. Parents are to instruct and encourage their children by precept and example to give of their substance regularly, purposefully, generously, and joyfully to the Lord through his church.

b. It is the duty of the pastor, since he is to proclaim to the people the whole counsel of God, to cultivate biblical stewardship and the grace of liberal giving in the members of the church. He should remind them of the admonition in Scripture that everyone is to give as the Lord has prospered him, of the assurance of Scripture that God loves a cheerful giver, and of the blessed example of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, though he was rich, became poor, in order that poor sinners through his poverty might become rich.

c. The session shall take care that the offerings of the congregation are used only for biblical purposes, such as the maintenance of public worship, the preaching of the gospel throughout the world, the ministry of mercy in Christ’s name, and other Christian objects. The offering ordinarily should not be used to transmit funds to causes other than the ministries of the Church. If a member of the Church designates a gift to a particular cause, it shall be the responsibility of the session to determine, before the gift is accepted, if it is appropriate to support that cause through the Church or if the gift should be returned to the donor.

d. It is desirable that Christian love be demonstrated by offerings for the use of the deacons in the ministry of mercy on behalf of the church. It is appropriate that a special offering be received for this purpose following the Lord’s Supper.

 

[Southern Presbyterian]

As you can see below, you are not the first to pose this topic/question to the board. These are but a few of the results that appear when you search "offering + worship" through the board's search function. Perhaps some time spent browsing through these and others will be of benefit. But as always, you are more than welcome to plow this plot of land once again.

https://puritanboard.com/threads/offering-as-an-act-of-public-worship.86976/

https://puritanboard.com/posts/1190576/

https://puritanboard.com/posts/480733/

https://puritanboard.com/posts/678648/

https://puritanboard.com/posts/678620/

 

[PaulCLawton]

As you can see below, you are not the first to pose this topic/question to the board. These are but a few of the results that appear when you search "offering + worship" through the board's search function. Perhaps some time spent browsing through these and others will be of benefit. But as always, you are more than welcome to plow this plot of land once again.

https://puritanboard.com/threads/offering-as-an-act-of-public-worship.86976/

https://puritanboard.com/posts/1190576/

https://puritanboard.com/posts/480733/

https://puritanboard.com/posts/678648/

https://puritanboard.com/posts/678620/

Thank you for the direction, my initial search query yielded very little, but I see from the links there has been much discussion on the topic already. If I have open questions after reading those, I would like to post them here if I may.

 

[SavedSinner]

The OPC Book of Church Order considers it an element of worship.

DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP

The Bringing of Offerings II, B.4 (Page 139-140 4)

4. The Bringing of Offerings a. The bringing of offerings in the public assembly of God’s people on the Lord’s Day is a solemn act of worship to almighty God. The people of God are to set aside to him the firstfruits of their labors; in so doing, they should present themselves with thanksgiving as a living sacrifice to God. All should participate in this act of worship when God gives opportunity for it. Parents are to instruct and encourage their children by precept and example to give of their substance regularly, purposefully, generously, and joyfully to the Lord through his church.

b. It is the duty of the pastor, since he is to proclaim to the people the whole counsel of God, to cultivate biblical stewardship and the grace of liberal giving in the members of the church. He should remind them of the admonition in Scripture that everyone is to give as the Lord has prospered him, of the assurance of Scripture that God loves a cheerful giver, and of the blessed example of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, though he was rich, became poor, in order that poor sinners through his poverty might become rich.

c. The session shall take care that the offerings of the congregation are used only for biblical purposes, such as the maintenance of public worship, the preaching of the gospel throughout the world, the ministry of mercy in Christ’s name, and other Christian objects. The offering ordinarily should not be used to transmit funds to causes other than the ministries of the Church. If a member of the Church designates a gift to a particular cause, it shall be the responsibility of the session to determine, before the gift is accepted, if it is appropriate to support that cause through the Church or if the gift should be returned to the donor.

d. It is desirable that Christian love be demonstrated by offerings for the use of the deacons in the ministry of mercy on behalf of the church. It is appropriate that a special offering be received for this purpose following the Lord’s Supper.

 

[SavedSinner]

Background: This is the new 21st century directory. The historic directory did not have this added-in as an element of worship.

 

[Southern Presbyterian]

Thank you for the direction, my initial search query yielded very little, but I see from the links there has been much discussion on the topic already. If I have open questions after reading those, I would like to post them here if I may.

Please proceed as best fits your inquiry. I'm merely seeking to point out a little used feature of the board that I have found to be most useful.

 

[JimmyH]

Background: This is the new 21st century directory. The historic directory did not have this added-in as an element of worship.

No doubt there are congregation/denominations that do not hold to the OPC 21st century Directory of Public Worship, but the Presbytery apparently approved it as it is, and here we are, in the 21st century.