PULPIT ETHICS

PULPIT ETHICS

Those who are on the platform are under constant observance; their mannerisms should be such as not to offend the worshiper or to detract from the service.

The pulpit is the most sacred and exalted place in the church. He who occupies this position stands as the representative of Christ. This is the minister's first line of offense. From this honored and dedicated place he boldly denounces sin and courageously challenges the devil. Words of life and death flow from this fount. God holds His ministers responsible for the influence that the pulpit exerts over the congregation.

Your message must be milk for babes, strong meat for those nature enough to digest it, admonition to the erring, warning to the apostate (unfaithful), consolation for the afflicted, cheer for the dejected, and hope for the despairing (hopeless). The same material can be made to fall into many varied and engaging forms.

Here are a few suggestions that should be followed as we stand in the pulpit:

1.      Those who are to go on the platform should meet in a designated place, usually the pastor's study, in sufficient time to become ac­quainted with the order of service and the part each one is to have on the program. Such a practice will avoid con­fusion, embarrassment, and awkwardness. This is for guest minister.

2.      Avoid flamboyancy. Bright/loud-colored ties, socks, and suits, and sports apparel are definitely out of order. Dress moderately.

3.      It is indecorous for anyone on the plat­form, including the pastor, to whisper. Whispering and talking on the plat­form are disrespectful and irreverent.

4.      The occupant of the pulpit should have good posture. He must not lean over the pulpit. He should stand erect, with both feet on the floor.

5.      You should not be guilty of pounding the pulpit or the Bible in order to be emphatic. There are other ways of expressing emphasis.

6.      It is both repugnant and a violation of pulpit etiquette to introduce someone to the pulpit in a protracted and flattering manner. The pulpit is not to be desecrated by indulging in superlatives and hyperboles. To introduce someone as the "world's greatest preacher," a "nationally" or "internationally known figure," et cetera, is to exaggerate as well as to flatter and ought not to be—of all places—in the pulpit. A true minister of God does not appreciate such remarks and becomes embar­rassed. If a speaker of some repute is introduced, a few modest statements concerning his posi­tion and work are sufficient.

7.      The pulpit is not a place to boast of or to praise someone. There may be occasions when it would be fitting to refer to the family in the pulpit, but to exalt them and talk frequently of their merits meets with the disapprobation of the congrega­tion. To say publicly that your wife is the best and most beautiful woman in the world is not the subject or language to be heard from the desk. Tell your wife in private as often as you wish how beautiful and wonderful she is.

8.      Jesting, joking, and telling gruesome stories are out of order in the pulpit. It is not the place to display one's humor and make people laugh. There is a time and place for wit and genuine humor, but seldom should it be used in the pulpit. If done at all, it should be with moderation and restraint. To tell funny stories, paint word pictures, and describe repulsive scenes is to degrade the pulpit and weaken its influence.

9.     Announcements that are made from the pulpit should be in keeping with the spirit of the service. Those who make the announcements should do so briefly and concisely. The worship service is robbed of its dignity when an an­nouncement is made and someone speaks up from the congregation to make a correction, or when the pastor or local elder who makes the an­nouncement speaks directly to someone in the congregation, requesting a clarification or additional information.

10. The call for the offering from the pulpit can be done with dignity. To resort to lightness and humor in calling for the offering is sacrile­gious. A few appropriate remarks are in order, stating clearly what the offering is for that day and quoting a brief statement from the Spirit of prophecy or the Bible that would encourage and inspire the people to participate in this phase of the service. The call for and the receiving of the tithes and offerings are as sacred and essential a part of the service as the prayer, and should be done with as much thought and care.

11.  Ascend "the hill” of the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart, and a spirit free from vanity. Permit no one to intercept you on the way to it, and to interject alien thoughts or fermenting feelings.

12. Never speak of the singing, lessons and prayers, as "introductory services," or as "concluding exercises." Never shorten or slur them to make time for a long sermon. Exalt these services as worship.

13. Never allow the choir to intrude upon the time with artistic performances. Insist that it sing what you prescribe.

14. Study the lessons so that when you read them, you will interpret them with proper emphasis.

15. Follow the customary or prescribed order of services. Have your plan of service fully matured beforehand.

16. Never use a book that has loose leaves and back. Never place a Bible, or hymn-book on the floor.

17. Teach reverence for sacred things by a decent handling of all the pulpit furniture. Never move anything around the altar with your foot.

18. Never show your heels to a congregation. If you kneel, front or side-face the congregation. If anything requires adjustment retire to a convenient place. Do not run your fingers through your hair, or toy with a watch. Avoid any conversation not related to the service with other clergymen or the choir. Also refrain from turning your back on the congregation.

19. Keep your hands out of your pockets and from behind your back.

20. Have a perfect understanding with the choir. Choose the music and Scripture lessons so that the whole service should be a harmony. Never read while the choir is singing. Permit no unnecessary conversation in the choir, or rustling of music while at prayer or preaching. If the choir renders a rehearsed election do not join in the singing. Never reprove the choir or other workers or ministers publicly. Occasionally speak approvingly to the choir, interpreter, ushers etc.

21. Adopt a few conventional signals by which you can call an usher or any other person to the pulpit if necessary without the observation of others.

22. Never scold. Be sparing of reproofs. Never rebuke in anger.

23. While speaking look at your congregation — not at the floor or ceiling. Use your pocket handkerchief sparingly. Minimize looking at your watch. Do not allow your eyes to wander about the auditorium, sizing up the beams, lighting, looking out of the windows, etc, during preaching.

24. Quote the Scriptures correctly. If you cannot trust to your memory write and read your quotations. Never say, “and-so-forth,” or “et cetera;”.

25. Use the common version of the Scriptures.

26. Pronounce proper names correctly.

27. Be economical in the use of incidents of your own travels, observation and experience; often employed they smack of egotism.

28. Never be a partisan in the pulpit. All parties are represented in the congregation.

29.  If notes are used let them be neatly prepared and preserved. Your note should always be kept as much as is practicable out of the eyes of the people. Familiarize yourself with your write-up so that there will be no hesitation or hitching in the reading.

30. Never simulate feeling". Do not try to put a tear in your words.

31. Avoid slang.

32. Always try to do your best. A little congregation and a big sermon help "to even up." Your small congregation is as large as you will want to be responsible for at the judgment. Jesus preached one of his greatest sermons to a lone Samaritan woman at the well.

33. Never preach a Christless sermon. No discourse is great in which the cross is not exalted. The minister in the pulpit without the company of Jesus must feel very lonely.

34. Condense your message.

35. Scorn imitation. Be original.

36. Regard plagiarism as a crime. While preserving your integrity in acknowledging the intellectual wares of others, you may use without offense whatever you have thoroughly assimilated.

37. Air no heresy in your pulpit. Abide by your Church standards and disciplinary regulations. If you have doubts keep them to yourself.

38. Trust God for results and believe that you cannot toil in vain, nor the divine word fail of return.

39.  When preaching of retribution do so as if you yourself dreaded the judgment-day. Never seem to be mad at sinners. If God can bear with their obduracy, you should be patient at their delays.

40. Come down from your pulpit as Moses from the Mount with the shine of God upon your face. Do not weaken the solemnity of your message by frivolous salutations of those who linger to shake your hand, nor the display of a vanity candidating for compliments.

41. Avoid bringing big white bath towel to the pulpit. Use handkerchief instead.

42. Remember the arm’s length rule. If at any time you are more than an arm’s length from the podium, you are out of bounds. Don’t say another word until you have moved back into the proper preaching zone. Besides that DVD of an empty platform with your voice is quite annoying for the sick and shut in.

43. Keep in mind that you are preaching to an entire congregation. Referencing an individual might be okay, but to turn and face someone and speak directly to them is bad manners.

44. Quit when you are done!