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| Written by Howard Nourse |
Giving - An Act of Worship ...A Time of Worship?
In every body of believers there are rites that are sacred. Baptism and communion are examples. There was a time when receiving the offering was included as a sacrament of worship. A period within the worship service when individuals brought their gifts and offerings to present to God "as an act of worship." Today there is still the desire on the part of church leaders that the giving of gifts, the offering, be an act of worship. However, for a variety of reasons we have, for the most part, ceased to make this a "time of worship." Too often, "offering time" is a function, a convenient time to "catch up" on the activities in the worship hour, especially announcements. As a result, the focus is on the announcements or special music. The giving is completed, often including receiving attendance forms, with little thought of giving as an act of worship. Within the overall structure of the worship service, it can be paralleled to the check out process at a SuperMart store, completed while thoughts are on other things or activities. In some churches there is no "time" of offering during the worship service. In an attempt not to intimidate those visiting or seeking, offering boxes are located at exit areas for those who so give. This is an obvious example of the check out mentality being promoted. There is ready evidence that the motivation for giving ranges from the traditional perspective of the senior generation to younger generations looking for a more direct application to their life as an influence to give. AN ACT OF WORSHIPHow then do we effectively encourage all generations in the congregation to become stewards. Stewardship is an attitude, a lifestyle if you will. One aspect of stewardship is giving, giving of time, talent, and treasure. However, for many the most difficult to give is treasure. How do we convey God loves a cheerful giver and where your treasure is, there also is your heart? The answer is found in helping each person understand their giving is an act of worship. Just as when we take communion we are worshiping at the foot of the cross, we must help one another understand when we give our offering, we are worshiping at the foot of the throne. This is more than a simple prayer at the moment of offering, although that certainly is a part of the worship process. It also involves helping individuals prepare ahead to make the gift . . . . encouraging a "first fruits" mentality when spending the treasure (income) at their disposal. A "first fruits" mentality with treasure influences a similar prioritization with time and talent. The use of offering envelopes can assist in this process. Many churches have moved away from offering envelope use, possibly an influence of the movement to a more contemporary style of worship. Envelope use will not just happen. Their intended purpose must be promoted often as individuals and families are encouraged to prepare their gift. In essence the effective use of offering envelopes serves as a preparation process. . . . planning ahead regarding the gift to be made . . . a conscious effort. Encouragement to make giving "an act of worship" must include the process of choosing to make the gift. A TIME OF WORSHIPWith the proper effort to encourage preparation to make the gift, then it is important the worship service include the time to make the gift a worship experience. Would announcements be made during the Lord's Supper . . . would vocal music be sung during that communion experience? Why then, if the act of giving our gift is the experience of coming into the presence of God to express our love, do many churches use the time to announce or present vocal music? Somehow, the time must be identified as preparation for giving and a quiet time of personal worship when making the gift. This "time of worship" could best begin with an appropriate meditation and concluded with a prayer of consecration for the gift use. Stewardship is a learned process. In order for believers and seekers in today's churches to become effective stewards, the church must guide in that growth. Guidance that is more than words and processes, but an integral part of the worship experience |
Within the past few decades a subtle change has taken place in the manner in which we worship. The influence of a contemporary style is very obvious and appears to fit the preferred lifestyle of many believers and seekers. However, within that influence another, less desirable change appears to have also happened. That change is the atmosphere regarding the offering of gifts.
