Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 5/30/2004

Question
Hi!

Could you explain the theology behind various acts of worship in a service? I understand that the specific elements may vary from church to church, the following are some which are common to a typical traditional worship service in most churches:

1) Why is a service usually commenced with an "introit" and ended by a "postlude" from the choir? Are they directed to God or the congregation? Do they serve like opening and closing titles in a film?

2) In some services, the worship leader will read a passage of Scripture (mostly from Psalms) as "call to worship". What's the purpose of it?

3) How does an "anthem" by the choir differ from congregational singing of hymns? Are they sung towards God or to the congregation? Why is the congregation normally not involved in the singing of the "anthem" but take a passive role?

4) Why are some Scriptures read with "responsive reading" instead by a Scripture reader? How does the two methods of Scripture reading differ in their intent?

5) Why is the "Lord's Prayer" being sung or rited in almost every service?

6) Why is the "Apostles' Creed" recited before a Communion?

7) How does "announcements" fit into a worship service since it's just announcements of church activities and not directed towards God?

8) Why is the "doxology" sung after an offering?

9) What's the meaning of "Benediction"? Is it a prayer for God's blessings or a pronouncement of blessings to the congregation by the minister? Why do some churches sing the "Threefold Amen" after the "Benediction"?

Thank you for your reply.

Answer
Hi Danny.

I think that it is important that you understand that many Baptists are not nearly as formal as the one that you must be familiar with.  Our church does not do very many of those things, but I think that I can answer some of your questions.  Most of these forms of service are not strict Biblical observances but simply cultural traditions used to communicate meaning.


1) Why is a service usually commenced with an "introit" and ended by a "postlude" from the choir? Are they directed to God or the congregation? Do they serve like opening and closing titles in a film?

I think that these serve as tools to help prepare the congregation for the truth they are about to encounter and then meditation about what they have already encountered.

2) In some services, the worship leader will read a passage of Scripture (mostly from Psalms) as "call to worship". What's the purpose of it?

Again, focus our thoughts upon God.

3) How does an "anthem" by the choir differ from congregational singing of hymns? Are they sung towards God or to the congregation? Why is the congregation normally not involved in the singing of the "anthem" but take a passive role?

I believe again that this sets the tone or the mood for the congregation.

4) Why are some Scriptures read with "responsive reading" instead by a Scripture reader? How does the two methods of Scripture reading differ in their intent?

Both are used in our church.  Responsive reading gets the congregation to actively interact with the passage, therefore driving it deeper into their hearts and minds.

5) Why is the "Lord's Prayer" being sung or rited in almost every service?

I do not know, we do not do that.

6) Why is the "Apostles' Creed" recited before a Communion?

I have no idea why a Baptist would recite this creed since there are doctrines in it that traditional fundamental Baptists do not hold to.

7) How does "announcements" fit into a worship service since it's just announcements of church activities and not directed towards God?

You are right...it does not seem to fit.  That is why we do our announcements at the beginning of our meeting before we geet deeply involved in our worship service.


8) Why is the "doxology" sung after an offering?

It is thanks to God for the provisions that we have just received, acknowleging that all our provisions come from God not man.

9) What's the meaning of "Benediction"? Is it a prayer for God's blessings or a pronouncement of blessings to the congregation by the minister? Why do some churches sing the "Threefold Amen" after the "Benediction"?


It is a prayer for blessing and protection until the next time that we meet.  The AMEN is another way that one can praise God.

I hope that I have helped.  Once again, remember, these things are just traditions and if they are cxhanged, scripture has not been violated.  The most important thing is that there is preaching from the Bible.

In CHrist,
Pastor Don