Pulpit Decorum Workshop

The Following is the written outline of a workshop I recently gave on the subject of Pulpit Decorum. Hope that it will be a blessing to you as well as it was to those who attended the workshop.

Charis Ministry Academy

Ministers Training Class

Bond Ave Missionary Baptist Church

Alorton, Illinois

Bishop Dr. Mitchel Ford, Sr. Pastor

D S Briggs, BBS, ThM, D.Min., Presenter

Subject: Pulpit Decorum

Let All Things Be done Decent and In Order

I Corinthians 14:40

I.)                 Understand that everything belongs to God Job 41:11, Psalm 24:1, 1 Cor 10:26

·         The Church

·         Pulpit

·         You

·         The role (position)  you play

·         The Word that You Minister

II.)               Respect Gains Respect Romans 13:7

·         Be attired properly in accordance with the order of the day (Suits, robes, casual)

-          We are Ambassadors for Christ 2 Cor 5:20

-          Your wardrobe should not draw attention to you and off Christ

·         Always respect the Pastor of the church – they did not have to give you the opportunity to stand and do anything.

-          What you think about his/her ability or anointing is irrelevant

·         Be on time or sit in the pews

-          As leaders we must be responsible stewards of time

·         Do not be a distraction or hindrance to worship

-          If you need to leave early, sit where you can leave without making a scene

-          Cell Phones – TURN THEM OFF

·         Don’t use the pulpit as a moment to air private grievances

-          The pulpit is for edification, exaltation, and encouragement

-          Leave gossip out of the pulpit

·         If you are not the Pastor, don’t try to be the Pastor

-          Pastoral Issues are addressed by the Pastor

-          Don’t overstep your bounds and then get made a fool of.

·         Do not re-preach the ministers sermon. Good or Bad,

-          Right or wrong let it stand.

-          The only one charged to make corrections is the pastor.

·         Do what you are assigned to do and SIT DOWN!

-          They will say Amen while you are up but cut you when you sit down

-          Don’t turn the offering prayer into your 5 minute sermonette

·         Be grateful for any invitation to minister

-          An opportunity to reach someone for Jesus

·         Carry your own Bible – return to a servant’s mindset

III.)            There is No EXCUSE for not being prepared 1 Peter 3:15

·         If you are on the program, know what you are supposed to be doing ahead of time and be prepared

-          Read the Scripture before you get in front of the people

-          Difference between a Worship Reader and Worship Leader

·         If you are preaching, be ready to preach

-          NEVER stand up and declare you have nothing to say or are not prepared to preach

-          Always carry three sermons with you at all times

·         Be aware of cultural/regional/denominational differences that could impact how you are perceived

-          Here in the Midwest a sermon is not considered “preached” unless you go to the Cross in the close, usually every Sunday.

-          On the East Coast you go to the Cross during the Invitation to Discipleship – not expected to be preached in the close every Sunday.

-          Following up a preacher and reproaching salient points or cleaning up the mess is acceptable in the Midwest. On the East Coast it is the kiss of death for the one who does it.

-          Draping of the Middle chair is a sign of mourning for a Former Pastor

-          In Non Denominational Churches there may not be a pulpit chair to sit in or it may be off to the side.

-          While your church/denomination may not approve of female ministers, many churches do.

-          Some churches will not let you serve communion, sit in on ordination catechisms’, perform baptism, weddings or funerals without being formally ordained. Others will let you do so only under your Pastors guidance and approval.