In part one, we looked at some of the potential pitfalls that can lead up to the offering. And we also looked at ways to prepare our people and flow smoothly into it. Part two is going to give some more suggestions for flowing in, out and through the offering time. Some may work for you, others could get your fired. So as with all my ideas and suggestions - take what works and ignore what doesn't.
What to do during the offering...
I know, this series is about segues, but, if we're honest, what accompanies the offering is, in a sense, a segue. The offering is the main thing--what we're really after. Not a in a greedy way, but in a "let's keep our lights on and feed the youth pastor's kids."
The offering might be the most tangible act of worship for some people: a true sacrifice unto God. But unlike other elements of corporate worship, it's highly individualized and momentary. Once a person chooses to give and prepares his offering (writing a check, putting cash in an envelope - or in many cases now, setting up online bill payment), the actual offering only engages that worshiper for the 6 seconds that he watches the plate arrive on his right and 2 seconds to pass it left.
So it might help us to look at whatever accompanies the offering as a
secondary element of worship, and really, one big segue. It's not less important, it's just serving the main thing of the moment. It moves us from the prayer, throughout the passing, and on to the next element.
So let's get back to "what to do during the offering." The usual suspect is the "offertory" - often referred to as "special music." Does that cause anyone else to shudder? I've heard everyone from Bible college professors to armchair theologians rail against the notion of "special" music, i.e. "and our other worship music isn't special?"
That's not my issue with it. The problem with special music is, after awhile, it's not that special.
Especially if your soloist line-up isn't too deep.* And let's face it, ever since the Church Lady, the word
special isn't what it used to be in our culture.
So to bring the
specialness back to
specials we should probably 1) up the ante significantly, but that's hard to do week after week. And even excellence gets taken for granted over time. Or 2) limit the number of specials, so they are unique, high-quality moments that bless people.
So without the special, what do we use to segue through the offering?
Can we keep being real here? Few churches struggle with filling time. Most have enough content to fill two services. So is it wrong to look at our offering as a time to accomplish some other things? Like...
...a scripture reading...
Maybe one that tees up the message, or one that leads to the next set of worship songs.
...another set of worship music...
We do this most Sunday's at my church. It's a great place to do a new or newer song. People are sitting and more relaxed. They can just take in the words. And here's a segue within a segue: think about an an appropriate moment in that worship set to invite people to stand, that is, if you're folks aren't spontaneous standers. (
Spontaneous standers - that sounds like a medical condition a drug company would make up). A side benefit to this is that it eliminates another hand-off -- it allows the worship leader, or even one of the vocalists, to intro the offering and pray into it.
...faith story/testimony...
We'll talk about transitioning to these in an upcoming post.
...a video element...
A well-done, well placed 3-minute video can move and prepare a person in ways that singing and sermons can't. Google some of these names - Shift Worship, Worship House Media, Sermon Spice, or just search "worship videos".
...begin the sermon...
Really? Why not? The pastor is probably up front already. And the beginning of most sermons is light, so the passing of the plate wouldn't detract from it, or
vice-versa.
...dismiss kids....
So the ushers may have to dodge a few ankle-biters on the way to their program. This is a much better spot to let the kids go than stopping the flow between songs.
...announcements...
"As the plate is being passed, grab your bulletin and let's see what's happening this week at our church." OK, now we're stepping in it. The once-sacred moment of
tithes and offerings is now used to hawk bake sales and Beth Moore Bible studies. Look at it this way: it's a perfect time to connect the offering to the church's vision being played out week to week:
"The reason we can have this incredible outreach this next Saturday is because of your faithful giving." And the plate being passed is a visual reinforcement of that.
We don't want to get too utilitarian with all this. The offering
is an act of worship. But we are stewards of the time our congregation has given us on Sunday morning. Let's make the most of it.
###
*My other beef with special music is the sense of entitlement it can breed among the singers. "It's my turn to do a solo," etc. That's another article I hope never to write. Three words: a soprano's wrath.
