Suggested Guidelines for Administering the Lord’s Table
Related MediaGeneral Considerations
The following material is to give ideas for comments when you are called upon to help in presiding over the Lord’s Table.
The Lord's Table is a time for reflective worship, a time which is:
1. A Redeclaration and Testimony—A testimony of one’s faith in Christ portrayed by partaking of the elements.
2. A Remembrance—An act of worship by which we are to remember and count on the worth and meaning of the person and work of our Lord as the source of our salvation both for this life (abundant life) and the life to come (eternal life).
3. An expression of a Relationship—of harmony and oneness of mind in love, values, commitment, and vision that should exist in the body of Christ.
4. But interwoven in all of this, it is to be a Fellowship—a koinonia, a real sharing and participation in the person and work of Christ. We do not mean by this that the Bread becomes the real body of Christ nor that the fruit of the vine becomes the real blood of Christ. What we do mean:
First, we are to be sharing in the reality of who and what Jesus Christ really means to us in all the fullness of His life and work on our behalf—righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; acceptance, significance, and ability to live for the Lord and others.
It is a time when we are, in a very special way, calling to mind what His person, death, present life, and coming again mean to us—reflecting also on how this has and should affect us.
This in no way means that the rest of the time we ignore what His life and death mean to us, but that we take this time as a special opportunity of worship for greater impact on our thinking and living.
Second, as a fellowship it is a sharing together with one another. It is a time when together, as we pass the elements, we are demonstrating our common faith, commitment, concerns, love, devotion to Christ and the ministry and life to which He has called us. When this is not the case, then something is wrong in our lives either individually or corporately.
Third, the observance of the Lord’s Table should also be a time for examination. It should be a time for personal examination and evaluation of our loves, aspirations, values, devotion, relationships, pursuits, and of our lives in general.
For this to be a real fellowship, a time when we really share together in the fellowship of our Lord, there needs to be honest examination and confession for “two cannot walk together unless they be agreed” (KJV, Amos 3:3)
Read and reflect on 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. This not only means that believers are not to partake of things that are pagan because of demonic associations, but it warns us against other forms of idolatry by which we may have fellowship with the world and thus be influenced by the world and its values, pursuits, and lifestyle. This too is a hindrance to our fellowship with the Lord.
In 1 Corinthians 11:28-34 we see the real need for honest examination as a preparation for taking of the Lords supper. Each time we partake of the Lord’s Table, it is to be a time when we truly, following a time of honest-to-God examination and confession, evaluate and partake in the realities of the Savior.
Reflections from 1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Purposes and features as set forth by Paul:
1. It is to Express he Christian Communities’ Relationship of Harmony in the Lord (11:17-22)
2. It is to be done as a Remembrance of the Lord’s Person and Work (11:23-25)
3. It is to be Done as a Remembrance of the Lord’s Person and Work (11:23-25)
4. It is to be a Redeclaration of the Lord’s first and Second Comings (11:26)
5. It has Restrictions and Perils (11:27-34)
Reflections from Luke 22
In the first verses of this chapter and in 22:31, we are reminded of Satan’s attempts to hinder the worship of God and our fellowship with the Lord and with one another. Satan is ever on the prowl seeking ways to get men to either reject the Savior, betray Him or become occupied with other things.
Regardless of this opposition, in verses 7 and following we are reminded of God’s commitment to provide for our fellowship with Him.
22:7 First, there was he Passover which for hundreds of years had spoken of Christ our passover who would be and now has been sacrificed for us, the innocent lamb of God dying for the guilty to bring them to God.
22:8-13 However, regardless of God’s provision, if we are to have meaningful fellowship with the Lord and really relate to what He means to us, there needs to be preparation.
The physical preparation for the Passover forms an illustration of our need to prepare our hearts, to set things in order, that we might properly appreciate, worship, and relate our lives to he Savior.
We need time to examine our concerns, values, priorities, devotion, commitments, sources of trust, use of our gifts, time, money, and so on.
22:14-20 Then, there was he observance of the Passover which was followed by the institution of the Lord’s Supper.
In Verse 14, we are reminded of who must lead us in worship and in our fellowship.
In verse 15, we see how the Lord deeply longs for our fellowship with Him because of His great love and grace. We need to compare John 13:1f. He was willing to die as the Lamb and take the position of a slave to wash our feet that we might be clean and have fellowship with Him.
In verses 16-17, we see the Savior’s expectation and our interim responsibility as His people in His absence—worship and sharing together of His life while both looking back to His death in our place and forward to His coming again for us.
In verses18-20, He instituted the communion or the Lord’s stable as we often call it, that which speaks of His person and work on the cross. Two symbolic elements (the Bread and Cup) and four symbolic acts (breaking, eating, pouring, and drinking).
Note in 22:24 that after the statement about the betrayal (vss 21-23) there is that which forms a warning for all of us. Instead of being prepared and occupied with the Savior and thinking about Him, they were distracted and concerned with themselves and their standing in the Christian community or the kingdom of God—occupied with their own wants and glory—self-centerdness.
Reflections from 1 Cor. 11:20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14-15
The Lord’s Table reminds us of a number of important things:
1. Of our need to worship and focus on the Lord who is our life and our need to live by fellowship with the Him.
2. Of the constant threat to be distracted and drawn away from Him even in the mist of religious activity and instead to be occupied with our own self-centeredness (Lk. 22:24f).
3. Of our privilege to hare with one another in and of the things of the Savior. We are co-laborers and fellow partners in the things of Christ.
4. Of our need to live sacrificially in the light of His life and death as servants of the Lord (2 or 5:14-15).
Basic Procedures
Introductory Comments
Suggested comments and preparation by the presiding elder or pastor in charge:
Invitation: “We would like to invite all who truly know Christ as their personal Savior to partake together in the Lord’s Table.”
Restriction: “The only restriction is that of 1 Corinthians 11:28, that we first examine ourselves for the purpose of confessing any area of known sin that we might each be able to truly respond to the significance and meaning of this very meaningful ordinance.”
Participation: “We ask you to hold the elements until all have been served so we may partake of the elements as one to express our unity in Christ.”
Significance: Review the key elements of the Lord’s Table. In a nutshell, this ordinance teaches the following truths that should be shared as a reminder of the importance and meaning of the Lord’s Table.
1. It portrays the person and work of Christ and His presence in our midst to minister His life to us.
a. In the Bread we see Christ as the Bread come down from heaven, the perfect God-man, God’s gift to solve our sin problem.
b. In the Cup we see Christ as the Lamb of God who came as the God-man to die for our sins.
2. Partaking of the elements portrays our faith in Jesus Christ and our commitment to continue to live by fellowship with Him—continuing to be nourished by His life.
3. The Bread, which starts out as one loaf, should portray our unity and oneness of mind and heart as fellow believers in Christ. (1 Cor. 10:17).
4. Passing the Bread and Cup portrays our need to minister Christ to one another, and share together in His life.
Examination: Pause for a time of silent meditation for personal examination and confession of known sins in the life in preparation (1 Cor. 11:28-31; 1 Jn. 1:9).
Men come forward: The elder in charge now invites the men who are helping serve to come forward. (They should be seated on a front pew while those leading can make further comment, pray and read Scripture.)
Two men presiding: Two other elders may help preside over serving the Bread and another the Cup.
Sharing the Bread
The elder in charge of the Bread should make a few comments.
1. He may want to make comments concerning the significance of the Bread, read from a passage like 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 and then pray.
2. He then will distribute the plates with the Bread to the men who will serve the people. The men serving should stand up when he turns to get the plates from the table so they will be standing when he gives them the plates. Unless he is needed to help pass the plates, he should stay up front.
3. The men will then serve the people, return, and hand the plates to the person presiding over the Bread, and sit down in the front pew.
4. The person presiding over the Bread will put all the plate(s) down except one, and will serve the other men, the person presiding, and then takes of the Bread himself.
5. After placing the plate on the table, he will turn and face the congregation and invite everyone to partake of the Bread together by saying something like, “do this in remembrance of Him.”
Sharing the Cup
The above sequence is repeated by the person presiding over the Cup.
Closing
Closing comments: One of the elders will then need to make a few final comments on the Lord’s Supper in connection with 1 Corinthians 11:26 or something similar.
Conclude with Song: This portion of the service may be concluded by singing an appropriate hymn. The person leading the song should have the hymn selected prior to the service and make sure the instrumentalist is informed and has the music.
Related Topics: Communion
Pastoral Application
Related Media(sample)
Date: _________________
SAMPLE BIBLE CHURCH
Address
PASTORAL INFORMATION FORM
LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE INITIAL PHONE NUMBER
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ADDRESS |
CITY |
STATE |
ZIP |
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PRESENT CHURCH |
ADDRESS |
CITY |
STATE, ZIP |
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PRESENT POSITION |
HOW LONG |
AGE OF CHURCH |
NUMBER ATTENDING |
EDUCATION
SCHOOL YEAR(S) DEGREE GRADUATED?
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EXPERIENCE
CHURCH POSITION FROM/TO ATTENDANCE
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________________________________________________
PERSONAL INFORMATION
1. Age: ____________ Marital Status: ____________________________ If Married, number of years: _____________________
2. If married, spouse's full (maiden) name: ________________________________________________________________________
3. Have you ever been divorced? ____________________ Has your spouse ever been divorced? ___________________________
4. Names and ages of children:
5. List your hobbies or special interests:
6. Training and major interests of your spouse:
7. Spouse's attitude toward your vocation:
8. Spouse’s spiritual gifts:
9. Do you have any other vocational or job skills?
10. Physical condition of yourself and your family:
11. Approximate amount of debt owed other than mortgage ________________________________________________
12. Are you licensed? _______ Are you ordained? _______ By what organization? ____________________________
13. Give a brief summary of your conversion experience:
14. Give a brief summary of your call/leading to the ministry:
15. In what cultures (rural/urban/suburb/city/cross-cultural/other) do you work in best?
PERSONAL EVALUATION
1. Which New Testament gifts do you have?
2. What do you perceive your primary task as a pastor to be?
3. To the right of each category, evaluate yourself. On the left, number in order of importance (1=most important, 10=least important) according to your philosophy of ministry:
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Preaching |
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Counseling |
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Administration |
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Evangelism |
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Visitation |
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Teaching |
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Dealing with Interpersonal Differences |
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Discipleship |
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Building Relationships |
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Motivating Others |
4. My greatest personal strengths are:
5. My greatest personal weaknesses are:
6. How do you maintain your professional skills?
DOCTRINAL INFORMATION
1. Do you agree with the Doctrinal Statement of Sample Bible Church? ______ If not, explain.
2. The charismatic issue:
3. Divorce, remarriage and eligibility for church office:
4. Lordship salvation:
5. Role of women in the church:
6. Church discipline:
7. Social drinking:
8. Attach your philosophy of ministry: Include your convictions regarding (a) the role of church leaders, (b) discipleship, (c) evangelism, (d) church government, and any other issues you believe are important.
9. Please attach family photograph.
Related Topics: Administrative and Organization, Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry, Leadership
Worship Commission
Related Media(sample)
Guidelines
1. The Worship Commission shall have the responsibilities for oversight of the entire ministry of worship in the church, which includes the following areas:
a. Ushering
b. Baptisms
c. Communion Services
d. Order of Services
e. Music
2. The role of education (to better prepare the mind and heart of the members for worship).
Structure
1. This commission will be staffed by the following:
a. Church Music Director
b. President of the Choir
c. Head Usher
d. Special Music Coordinator
e. Assigned Elder
f. Members-at-large
2. Commission meetings will be attended by all members with the exception of the members-at-large. These are always welcome to attend also.
3. The commission chairman will be appointed by the Board of Elders.
4. The commission will appoint a secretary who will have the responsibility for maintaining proper minutes of meetings and passing on to the Council of Elders copies of same.
5. The church office is available to type the minutes if they are legibly written.
Responsibilities
General Areas:
1. The assigned elder and the commission chairman will guide the direction and spiritual quality of this commission through guidance, example and prayer.
2. Suggest changes in the form and content of worship which would support the goals of the church as defined by the Board of Elders.
Specific Areas:
1. USHERING: The Head Usher is responsible to lead the men elected as ushers in a planned and well executed ushering program. He should discuss this ministry and seek evaluation from the commission. The Head Usher should actively support the commission and is to make sure the ushering job responsibilities are adequately administered.
2. ORDER OF SERVICE: Provide resources to those who have the responsibility of planning the order of service and provide guidance as to both form and content. Assist as may be needed.
3. CHURCH MUSIC: Supervise all music ministries within the church. Bear responsibility for all music purchases both of printed materials, equipment and instruments. Oversee the maintenance of all musical instruments and equipment owned by the church. Oversee the direction of the Sanctuary Choir and other choirs or groups as needed. Utilize music personnel to the best advantage of the church body. Bear responsibility of the formulation of the music and program budget for submission to the Board of Elders each year.
4. TALENT POOL: Organize a musical talent resource pool and encourage participation of those in this pool in the worship opportunities. Act as a facilitator in organizing special music groups [ie. trios, quartets, ensembles, instrumental and vocal].
5. PREPARATION OF AN ANNUAL ACTIVITIES REPORT: This will be incorporated as part of the Council of Elders' annual report to the congregation.
6. COORDINATION WITH THE CHURCH CALENDAR PLANNER FOR ALL COMMISSION RELATED EVENTS.
7. DEVELOPMENT OF AN ANNUAL BUDGET.
8. PUBLICITY OF ACTIVITIES AND PLANNED EVENTS.
Areas Needing Approval of Council of Elders:
1. BUDGET EXPENDITURES OUTSIDE OF APPROVED BUDGET: Also includes any expenditures over the established guidelines.
2. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN WORSHIP FORM OR CONTENT: The elder serving on this commission will judge what to include here.
Related Topics: Administrative and Organization, Worship
25 Recommended Non-Technical Biblical Resources
Related MediaArranged by Category, with Alternate Choices Given for Certain Categories
Revised 5/2/04
Primary Recommendations
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Category |
Recommendation |
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1. Systematic Theology |
Moody's Handbook of Theology, by Paul Enns |
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2. New Testament Theology |
New Testament Theology, by Donald Guthrie. |
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3. Old Testament Theology |
Old Testament Theology, by Paul R. House |
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4. Old Testament Survey |
Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey, by Bill T. Arnold |
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5. Old Testament Introduction |
Introduction to the Old Testament, by Raymond Dillard and Tremper Longman, |
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6. New Testament Survey |
Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey, by Walter R. Elwell, |
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7. New Testament Introduction |
New Testament Theology, 4th Edition, by Donald Guthrie |
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8. Gospels |
A Guide to the Gospels, by W. Graham Scroggie |
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9. Word Studies-New Testament |
Complete Word Study Dictionary, NT, by Spiros Zodhiates |
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10. Word Studies-Old Testament |
Complete Word Study Dictionary, OT, by Warren Baker and Eugene Carpenter, |
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11. Concordance |
NIV Exhaustive Concordance, 2nd Ed, byEdward Goodrick |
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12. Atlas |
The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands, by Barry Beitzel |
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13. Bible Dictionaries |
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, by Trent C. Butler |
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14. Dictionary of Theology |
Baker Theological Dictionary of the Bible, by Walter Elwell |
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15. 1-2 Volume Commentary |
Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, by Kenneth Barker and John Kohlenberger, |
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16. Bible Background Commentary-OT |
IVP Bible Background Commentary-OT, by John H. Walton, Victor Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas, |
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17. Bible Background Commentary-NT |
IVP Bible Background Commentary-NT, by Craig S. Keener |
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18. Manners and Customs |
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs, by Howard Vos |
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19. Charts and Outlines-OT |
Chronological and Background Charts of the OT, by John H. Walton |
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20. Charts and Outlines-NT |
Chronological and Background Charts of the NT, by H. Wayne House |
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21. Charts and Outlines-Theology |
Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine, by H. Wayne House |
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22. Bible Difficulties |
New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, by Gleason Archer |
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23. Bible as Literature |
Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible, 2nd Ed, by Leland Ryken, |
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24. History of Israel |
Kingdom of Priests: A History of OT Israel, by Eugene H. Merrill |
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25. Church History |
Church History in Plain Language, 2nd Ed, by Bruce Shelley, |
Suggested Alternates
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Category |
Recommendation |
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1. |
Christian Theology, 2nd Ed, by Millard Erickson, |
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Systematic Theology, by Wayne Gruden, | |
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2. |
A Theology of the NT, Revised, by George Eldon Ladd, |
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4 |
A Survey of the Old Testament, 2nd Ed, by Andrew E. Hill and John H. Walton, |
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11. |
Zondervan NASB Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, |
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12. |
Holman Bible Atlas, by Thomas Briscoe, |
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13. |
New Bible Dictionary, 3rd Ed, by I. Howard Marshall, |
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15. |
New Bible Commentary, 21st Century Ed, by G. J. Wenham, D.A. Carson, et al, |
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17. |
The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times, by Ralph Gower, |
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22. |
Hard Sayings of the Bible, by Walter Kaiser, et al, |
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24. |
A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age to the Jewish Wars, by Walter Kaiser, |
|
25 |
The Story of the Church (The Essential Bible), by Robert G. Clouse, Richard V. Pierard, and Edwin Yamauchi |
NOTES:
a). This list was prepared from my own experience and from consultation with the Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources, 9the Edition, by John Glynn (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2003).
b) All titles were found at either www.amazon.com or www.christianbook.com and the list prices shown came from one of those two sources.
Related Topics: Library and Resources
Committals (at the Grave Site)
Committals for Believers
Number 1
For as much as it has pleased Almighty God to take out of this world the soul of ___________________, we therefore commit his/her body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, looking for that blessed hope when the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord, wherefore comfort ye one another with these words.
Number 2
For as much as it has pleased our Heavenly Father in His wise providence to take unto Himself our beloved ___________________, we therefore commit his or her body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God in our Savior Jesus Christ who shall change the body of our humiliation and fashion it anew in the likeness of His own body of glory according to the working of His mighty power wherewith He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.
Number 3
In the light of these promises God has given us in His Word and in as much as it has pleased the Lord in His sovereign wisdom and purpose to take from our midst one whom we have loved, we now commit her body to its final resting place to await the fulfillment of another promise of Scripture. In 1 Thess. 4:13-18, writing to the Thessalonians church, the Apostle Paul wrote:
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words (1 Thes. 4:13-18).
These words by the Apostle were written for our encouragement in times like these. Furthermore, they are particularly significant because, when Paul penned these words, there was an inscription in the city of Thessalonica which typically illustrates the absence of hope in the world or in those who are without Jesus Christ. The inscription read: "After death no reviving; After the grave, no meeting again."
Committal for a Child
Number 1
In infinite wisdom and love our Heavenly Father has received unto Himself the innocent spirit of this little child. We therefore tenderly commit the body to its resting place in the sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Number 2
In that it has pleased our heavenly Father, who loaned these little ones to us for this short time, to take them back to Himself, we commit their bodies to the ground. Looking for that blessed hope ;when the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Committal for a Temporary Burial
(when the body is deposited temporarily in a vault)
For as much as it has pleased Almighty God to remove from the world the soul of our brother, we lay his body here to rest awhile, then to be buried n the ground, then shall the dust return to dust as it was, but the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Related Topics: Funerals
Funeral Information Form
INFORMATION FORM Full Name: _________________________________________ Maiden Name:______________________ Address: ____________________________________ City, ST, Zip: __________________________ At the completion of my course of life here on earth, I would like my family and friends to use the following information, requests, and suggestions in the plans for my memorial or funeral service. I would prefer (please check the appropriate spaces): __ Memorial Service, burial preceding __ Casket closed __ Funeral, burial following __ Casket open prior to service __ Memorial Service, cremation preceding __ Casket open during service __ Funeral, Cremation following __ Casket open following service __ Interment to be public __ Interment to be private Other instructions or requests: If cremation is chosen, please comment upon what you would prefer be done with the remains? I prefer the Memorial or Funeral Service be held at __________________________ (Please give preference and location of Church, Funeral Home, Cemetery, Base Chapel, or other location.) Memorial Service or Funeral Service Requests: 1. Favorite Hymns: 2. Is their a specific soloist you would like to sing? 3. Favorite Scriptures: 4. Favorite Poetry: (please attach a copy) 5. Personal words to leave: (A brief testimony is often a powerful witness) 6. What Minister(s) would you like to conduct the service? 7. What part would you like each to have? 8. Are there others you would like to participate? (Friends, Associates, Fraternal Orders?) Many loved ones and friends prefer the custom of giving living memorials to a church, a mission organization, school, or charity in lieu of flowers. Please express your preference. Burial: 1. Are you a member of a Memorial/Burial Association? (Please specify names) 2, Do you have burial insurance, a pre-arranged and/or pre-paid arrangements made? With whom? 3. Are you eligible for an American Flag as a Veteran? 4. Do you have a grave plot? (Location:) Do you have a will? Who has copies? Have portions or all of your body been donated to science? (give details): From time to time you may wish to revise this form. Often other friends or family members may also wish copies. Please feel free to call the church for additional blank forms, or feel free to make copies. Please keep this form in a safe place, not in a safety deposit box. Your pastor, a friend or family member may be appropriate. (It is often helpful to give a copy to your pastor, as he will likely be able to better minister when needed.)
Related Topics: Funerals
Suggested Order of Funeral Service
Prelude Begins
Pallbearers seated
Pastor and Participants enter
Prelude Stops
Call to Worship
Solo
Invocation
"Our Loving Eternal Heavenly Father, as we meet this morning to remember our dear friend and loved one, (Name), we ask you to be to us the God of all comfort, and the God of all grace. Give us perspective as we face the reality of death, to grow in our perspective of the truths of life. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN."
Obituary/Eulogy
Congregation Hymn
Message
Solo
Benediction
"Our Father in Heaven, in as much as you, in your sovereign love, have called the soul of our loved one and friend, (Name), to be with you, we express our thanks, for the privilege of knowing him. We thank you for the way he impacted our lives, and for your grace through difficult times. We are grateful for your love; You, who sent us the Great Shepherd of the Sheep. You who have prepared a place for all who trust you, and who alone are worthy of our faith, to you we turn for continued strength, continued comfort, continued perspective, continued purpose.
Postlude
Related Topics: Funerals
Pastoral Etiquette
Overview
1. The funeral as a service
2. The funeral as a testimony and/or witness
3. The biblical teaching concerning death (Involves your application of that toward the believer, non-believer, infant, youth, suicide, accident victim, murder victim, etc.)
When Death Comes
Be Prompt
1. Go wherever necessary to be with the family
2. Express your sympathy to the family
3. Encourage the family to talk about it. ("Can you tell me what happened?")
Be Helpful
1. Without going into great detail, help them to think through the next steps: funeral home, permission for autopsy, contacting relatives, etc.
2. Offer and be willing to provide help. Offer to go with them to meet with the mortician.
Be Brief
1. Read scripture with them and pray.
2. Stay with them until things are under control.
The Day Following
1. Assist where possible in preliminaries with the family and the mortician.
2. Use the funeral planning sheet.
3. Help them think through the type, cost and location of the service.
4. If appropriate, help them plan the time, participants (ushers, musicians, pallbearers)
5. Pray with the family (and mortician).
The Viewing
1. Find out when the body can be viewed for the first time and be there one-half hour before so you can be with the family.
2. Take your wife if at all possible.
3. The evening prior to the funeral is a good opportunity to minister, often at an additional or final viewing.
The Funeral or Memorial Service
1. Arrive at the church or mortuary well in advance of the service. 15-20 minutes early in order to:...
a. Prepare your own soul
b. Complete details (organist, mortician, etc.)
2. Meet family as they are seated in the family room.
3. Be ready on time! Either walk in with the family or from a side door as the funeral begins.
4. Bring appropriate remarks.
Perhaps start with a Scripture reading
Solo or congregational hymn
Obituary/Eulogy
Prayer
Song
Bible Message
Benediction
5. At the close of the service, be available at the casket.
6. At the close of the service, the funeral director will come to the front, and the pastor will lead slowly the pallbearers and the casket to the door of the hearse.
Committal Service at the Graveside
1. At the cemetery, the pastor again slowly leads the procession from the hearse to the burial site.
2. Stand at the head of the casket (ask the funeral director where the head faces before arrival at the cemetery.)
3. Brief remarks, short scripture, word of thanks to mortician for the family.
4. Committal prayer
5. Go to the family and express your concern and availability.
6. The funeral director will then try to get the family to return to their cars.
Social Time with Family and Friends
1. Depending upon the time of the service, the distance the family travels, and other factors, this might include time before, after, or both before and after the funeral service.
2. Church women may or may not be involved.
Post Funeral Contact
1. Do not forget the bereaved after the funeral. Call on them at least once a week for six weeks.
2. Take a devotional pamphlet on death to the grieving.
Related Topics: Funerals
Toward Better Eulogies
Questions to Ask the Family
1. Explain that you are trying to gain a better feel for what that person was like, so you can be more personal.
2. What one adjective would you use to describe him?
3. Did he have any particular loves or hobbies?
4. Did he enjoy any particular songs? poems? or Scriptures?
5. If you could name one value or lesson he most wanted to teach the next generation, what would it be?
6. What one achievement or accomplishment would make his eyes light up when you mentioned it?
7. What were some of his favorite phrases or sayings?
8. Did he ever put anything up on the wall - a picture or motto that expresses who he was?
9. Did he like his first name? Did he have any nicknames?
10. Was there a cause or a movement that he felt deeply about and supported with his time and resources?
11. If he could have me say one thing during the funeral, what do you think it would be?
12. Why do you think this world is a little different because of him?
(Taken from Leadership 100, March-April 1982, p. 26.)
Related Topics: Funerals
Our Comfort is in Christ
Related MediaThis was the funeral of a very lovely 94-year-old woman in our church, who was a believer. I sought to point out that our comfort (and hers) in the face of death was not based upon her age and physical condition, but rather in Christ.
We have said many good things about our friend today, and to the best of my knowledge they are all true. It would be wrong to leave anyone with the mistaken idea that our friend's good works are the basis for our confidence that she is now with our Lord. Our works are never able to win God's favor or to earn eternal life.
6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away (Isaiah 64:6, NASB, emphasis mine).
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:19-20, NET Bible, emphasis mine).
For the next few moments I would like to draw your attention to the basis for our comfort and joy in the face of death. Listen to these words, spoken by Simeon when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple:
25 Now there was in Jerusalem a man named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So directed by the Spirit Simeon came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying, 29 "Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: 32 a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel" (Luke 2:25-32, NET Bible)
You may be thinking, "What a strange funeral text. This is a Christmas text, not a funeral text." As strange as it may seem, it is an appropriate funeral text. The occasion is the presentation of our Lord by Mary and Joseph as their firstborn son in the temple. Mary and Joseph were there to present their son and to offer a sacrifice as the Law of Moses prescribed.
While Mary and Joseph and their first-born son were in the temple two people recognized the baby Jesus as Israel's long awaited Messiah. The names of these two people are Simeon and Anna. We know that Anna was an old woman because Luke tells us so:
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death. 37 She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-38, NET Bible).
Here was a woman who, in Luke's words, was "very old" (verse 36). While we cannot be absolutely certain about Anna's age, she had to have been at least 84 years old. (She was either a widow for 84 years, or she was a widow who was now 84.) Either way, Luke has committed the unpardonable sin - he has given us a woman's age. Thanks to Luke the whole world knows that Anna is old -- ancient!
We are focusing on Simeon, however. Nearly everyone assumes that he, too, is elderly. He may very well have been old. But it is noteworthy that while Anna's age is given to us, Simeon's age is not. Why not? I think we must reason that it is because Simeon's age was not important to Luke. What is important is what Luke does clearly communicate. Luke tells us that Simeon was ready to die, now that he has seen Jesus. Simeon had been waiting to see the Savior. God's Spirit had informed him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. As soon as Simeon sees Jesus, he says that he is ready to die.
Luke wants his readers to know that Simeon is ready to die, not because he is old, but because he has seen the Savior. Simeon is now ready to die, no matter what his age might be. Being ready to die is not a matter of one's age, but is rather a matter of one's relationship to Jesus Christ, by faith.
Those who knew our friend know that she was ready to die. She was not ready to die because she was old, and her health was failing; she was ready to die because she had come to know Jesus Christ by faith. In this sense, our friend's age has no more to do with her faith than Simeon's age had to do with his faith. Our friend, like Simeon, was ready to die because she had seen the Lord Jesus as her Savior, by faith.
How can this be? How can trusting in Jesus Christ cause one to welcome death, rather than to dread it? The answer to this question is found in the Bible. When God created Adam and Eve, He placed them in the Garden of Eden. God warned Adam that they must not eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God said that if they did eat of it they would certainly die (Genesis 2:16-17). Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and the result was both physical and spiritual death.
But God in His grace promised them that He would provide a cure. For her role in the fall of mankind God pronounced a curse upon Eve. She (and all women after her) would bring forth children in pain (Genesis 3:16). But through the curse of pain in childbirth Eve would bring forth a child who would save men from their sins and the curse of death. One of Eve's offspring would be the cure for the curse of death. This coming One would strike a fatal blow to Satan, while Satan would only bruise the Savior's heel (Genesis 3:15). This coming "seed of the woman" is the Savior for whom every Old Testament saint expectantly waited. This coming Savior was the Messiah whom Simeon longed to see. This coming Savior was Jesus Christ.
God provided a remedy for the curse of death by making death the cure, as well as a curse. The coming Savior was the perfect, sinless, Son of God. He had no sin of His own, yet He took our sins upon Himself on the cross. He died in the sinner's place, bearing the penalty for sin, the curse of death. But God also raised Jesus from the dead. He is now in heaven, sitting at the Father's right hand. All those who trust in Jesus as their Savior have the forgiveness of sins, and the assurance of eternal life. They no longer need to fear death:
14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he [Jesus] likewise shared in their humanity, so that through death he could destroy the one who holds the power of death (that is, the devil), 15 and set free those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15, NET Bible).
All those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior no longer fear death, as we see in many different biblical texts:
31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31-39, NET Bible).
50 Now this is what I am saying, brothers and sisters: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 Now when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will happen, "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:50-58, NET Bible).
This final passage (though one could cite others) is one that our friend designated to be a part of her funeral service:
1 For we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in, is dismantled, we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this earthly house we groan, because we desire to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed, after we have put on our heavenly house, we will not be found naked. 4 For indeed we groan while we are in this tent, since we are weighed down, because we do not want to be unclothed, but clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. 6 Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth we are absent from the Lord- 7 for we live by faith, not by sight. 8 Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So then whether we are alive or away, we make it our ambition to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:1-10, NET Bible).
It was her faith in Jesus Christ which assured our friend of her salvation, so that she was able to welcome her own death. It is not old age, or sickness, which enables one to live joyfully and be confident of eternal life; it is trusting in Jesus Christ as the One who bore the curse of death, in order to provide the cure for the dread of death as the penalty for our sins. That is why we can rejoice in our friend's death, because we know she has gone to be with our Lord.
As you consider your own death, do you do so with fear, or in faith? If death causes you to fear, I urge you, like Simeon and our friend, to place your trust in Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and the assurance of eternal life. Just as God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, He will also raise us to eternal life. Death need no longer be viewed as something we dread, but rather can be welcomed as our deliverance. May you experience the calm assurance of Simeon, of all the saints, and of our friend this very day. To God be the Glory!
Related Topics: Christology, Funerals, Comfort