Acts of Worship, part 4: Sending

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.  And all who believed were together and had all things in common.  And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.  And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47 ESV

Sending.  Keep in mind that worship – indeed, our relationship with God as a whole – is dialogic in nature.  He has called us, and so we respond by Gathering to meet with Him.  He speaks to us through His Word and Teaching, and we are prompted to ­Responding.  The Sending is God’s next act of initiation, so that we might not simply stay put, but that we go and take His light to the darkened world.

The ending of our services is much more than just announcements, but don’t under-estimate the announcements.  In fact, they are part of what makes us a family, and often involve strategies for fulfilling our mission.

The close of our services also includes a benediction, though that term might not actually be used as much as it once was, probably for lack of understanding what it means.  Many think it’s a prayer said at the end of the service, but in fact it’s a blessing and a sending out of the people.  God is the one who sends us from this place, lest we think we dismiss ourselves when we’re finished worshiping and ready to go.

Sending is a brief part of the service, and often includes the following actions:

• Songs of challenge, mission, encouragement, or benediction
• Information for the congregation (i.e. announcements)
• Prayers or Scriptures of protection, strengthening, for the lost, etc.

This concludes the short overview of worship theology, but I’ll be including articles on topics related to worship in subsequent issues of the New Spirit.

I am printing these articles, not only on my blog, but in Greenwood Christian's New Spirit (monthly newsletter) as well.  Please follow along, subscribe to the blog, then share your pertinent and well though-out comments, questions, and responses as we go.