Church Protocol

and Etiquette
Rev. Dr. Danny L. Boyd
2015 Holy Convocation
June 26, 2015
 TOPICS
CHURCH PROTOCOL

CHURCH ETIQUETTE

CHURCH ETHICS

CHURCH DISCIPLINE

“Let all things be done decently and in order”

(1 Cor. 14:40)
Subsets of Theology
• Pastoral theology- Pastoral ministry
to individuals
• Practical theology- Christian
practices
• Moral theology- Ethics
• Deontology – The study of ethics
through moral obligation and right
action
Local churches exist in order to fulfill a
threefold purpose:

1. Worship God in spirit and truth,

2. Edification and encouragement of
the body of believers,
3. And to fulfill the Great Commission
– “Make disciples of all nations.”
Church is more than a building, corporation,
or organization.
• It’s a living organism!
• Diverse community
• We’re all related because of the blood of Jesus
Christ
• Christ paid a debt He didn’t owe … one we could
not pay.
• Jesus has a right to lay down rules for his church.
• The Holy Scriptures are our rules to guide the
church.
How should we maintain the church?
The church is the most important place where
dignity, protocol, respect and reverence should be
maintained. Why? Because when we come to the
church and its services, we are entering into the
Kingdom of God on earth, His habitation, and we
choose to honor this sacred place by our
attentiveness to what is proper and ordered. At that
very moment, we have the opportunity to reflect the
image of Christ within us by our actions.
Let’s reflect the image of Christ within us by
our actions.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal

priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who
hath called you out of darkness into His
marvellous light.
Key terms
• Behavior
• We are to live for Christ, not for ourselves (2 Cor.
5:15). Jesus told his disciples to teach people "to
obey everything I have commanded you"
(Matthew 28:20).
• Respect
• To view or consider with some degree of
reverence; to esteem as possessed of real worth.
Key Terms
• Integrity
• First, integrity is “the condition or quality of being
complete; undivided or unbroken; wholeness.”
Second, integrity is “an unimpaired condition.”
The third definition is, “moral soundness or
uprightness.”
• Practices
• Forms of doing; to continually do something to
get better at it.
• Manners
• Require you to discipline yourself
Key terms
• Equality
• The belief that all people are the same before God
and in Christ.
• Reverence
• The quality that guides one’s behavior –
quietness, attentiveness, and dignity are key
ingredients.
• Dignity
• Nobleness or elevation of mind
• Values
• Those things that are important to you.
What is the purpose of the church?
• Fellowship
• To learn and instruct about Jesus
• Gain and give strength for the next week
• To give and get guidance for issues of life
• Tell of God’s goodness
 CHURCH PROTOCOL
A code of courtesies, proper practices, set of rules
regarding church worship service. “Let all things be done
decently and in order.” (1 Cor. 14:40)
ORDER
Obedience +
Rules +
Direction +
Excellence =
Results
Worship
• Worship is a sacred opportunity to draw closer to God
through Jesus Christ. “Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his
name!” — Psalms 100:4
• For us to worship God in spirit and in truth we must
make sure we obey all of His commandments as given
by Him in the Bible on how He is to be worshipped.
Worship is the central act of the people of God, as well
as at RZUA Churches
• Worship is the adoration of God through lifestyles,
through reading and hearing the Word of God, singing in
praise of God, and talking and listening to God through
prayer.
Worship
• Before service we speak to God.
• During service God speaks to us.
• After service we speak to each
other!
CHURCH PROTOCOL
• Call to Worship - the opening of the worship
experience;
• Invocation – a prayer asking God’s help as part of the
service.
• Hymn
• Opening hymn - song of praise to God
• Doxology - beginning or the end of worship service
• Types of hymns: worship; adoration; guidance;
renewal; aspiration
• Responsive reading
• A scriptural reading designed to allow the
congregation to read and be with the word of God.
CHURCH PROTOCOL
• Prayer – spiritual communion with God
• Types of prayers: supplication (plea); thanksgiving;
adoration; and confession
• Addressing the house - respect and honor our leaders,
such as our Presiding Bishop.
• Welcome/Announcements - An “intermission” in
worship to make worshippers aware of activities, events,
and concerns.
• Offertory - participate in giving.
CHURCH PROTOCOL
• Sermon - divine activity in which the Word of God is
proclaimed or announced.
• Invitation to Christian Discipleship – individuals
are invited to be a part of the household of faith.
• Altar Call - An invitation to the congregation to
express personal concerns by means of the people
assembling at the altar and kneeling to pray.
• Benediction - a prayer that God may bestow certain
blessings on His people. It is important to receive
the benedictional prayer.
When to Stand and Why
• Doxology - Always stand in reverence to God when the
Doxology is played.
• Call to Worship – Standing allows us to participate in
the purpose of our coming together.
• Responsive Reading - We stand in respect of the
reading of God’s word.
• Offertory – Stand to participate in giving. You only sit if
a tray is passed to collect the offering.
• The Invitation to Christian Discipleship – Standing
demonstrates our agreement with the spirit of God and
the invitation to be a part of God’s family.
• Accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior –
Love
If you must walk during service …
Never walk Walk during
• In front or across the front of • Singing by the choir
the altar or the pulpit area • Offering
during worship • Announcements
• During scripture readings or
prayer.
**Reminder! When you move :
• During communion
• Do not pass in front of the
pulpit
***If you are walking and
someone begins to read the • Use the side aisles and the
scripture or begins to pray, STOP side doors
AND STAND UNTIL THEY ARE • Do not run, but walk
FINISHED! • No Talking
CHURCH ETIQUETTE
• Church etiquette - is a set of rules that
govern behavior in the house of God.
Etiquette deals with the outward
behavior. The second most important
commandment next to loving God is
found in Matthew 22:39, “Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself.” Proper
etiquette helps worshippers engage in
reverent and respectful behavior.
Teaching church etiquette to children
• Don’t assume teens know what behavior you expect in
church, teach them.
• The best way to teach them is by modeling
appropriate behavior.
• Step 1
• The basic tenet of etiquette is to act respectfully and
interact politely with others.
• Step 2
• Instruct your teenager about the holiness of the
church building, specifically the sanctuary.
Teaching church etiquette to children
• Step 3
• Encourage punctual behavior from a teenager when
attending church.
• Step 4
• Talk about appropriate dress and appearance in
church.
• Step 5
• Teach your teen to leave gum, beverages and food at
home or in the car.
• Step 6
• Model self-control and self-restraint for your teen.
 CHURCH ETIQUETTE
• Turn off all digital devices, especially cell phones.
• Govern yourself accordingly during worship
service. No eating, talking loud, foolish
conversations, or excessive walking.
• Exhibit respect in your wardrobe choices.
• Avoid cliques.
• Observe worship service schedules. Don’t be the
“arrive late and leave early” member. If an
emergency arises, exit the sanctuary with
discretion.
• Be considerate of others if you have small
children.
CHURCH ETIQUETTE
• Sit close to the door to facilitate quick and easy
access to the bathroom.
• Speak words of encouragement. Remember, the
tongue is dangerous.
• Think of others first.
• Be hospitable and friendly.
• Do not be boastful, arrogant or loud. Let your
deeds speak for themselves.
• Listen before speaking.
• When you give your word or promise something,
please fulfil it.
• Do not criticize or complain.
CHURCH ETHICS
Ethics Ministerial Ethics
• Right or wrong • Religious code of
• To behave ethically is to behavior grounded in
do what’s right biblical truth
• Reflect who the person • Persons called to
is – conduct, innermost preach the gospel
thoughts, speaking, should exhibit godliness
lifestyle and integrity
• Virtuous vs sinful
behavior
The Christian Church
Must be committed to vigilance in all of her relationships:
• In Relationship to Christ - honor and exalt Jesus Christ
in all of our relationships and ministries.
• In Relationship to Fellow Members - We will “... make
every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual
edification.” (Romans 14:19)
• In Relationship to Other Churches - We will attempt to
maintain honorable relationships with other churches in
the community.
• In Relationship to the Community - We will endeavor
to keep our dealings with agencies, businesses and
individuals in the community honest and above reproach.
The Christian Church
• In Relationship to the Conference
• Membership in the RZUA Conference is not only a
privilege, but also involves responsibility.
• We will fulfill our fellowship, ministry and financial
obligations to the best of our ability.
• We will uphold the doctrines and principles of the
Conference.
The Christian Church
• In Relationship to the Pastor and Other leaders of
the Church
• We will love, honor and submit to our pastor and
other spiritual leaders as they, by example and word,
watch over our souls.
• We will support the pastor financially so that s/he may
be able to meet his/her obligations.
• We will not allow anything among us that would
undermine the pastor.
• We will endeavor to respond to all criticism dealing
with the pastor, other spiritual leaders, or their
families in an honorable manner.
Congregational Ethics

"...lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been

called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another in love, making every effort to
maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Ephesians 4:1-2
CHURCH DISCIPLINE
• Discipline – exercise of authority given to the
church by the Lord Jesus Christ to instruct,
guide and promote its purity and welfare.
• Discipline, when practiced in a spirit of grace
and acceptance, will have life transforming
power.
• Rom 15:14 mentions various types of discipline:
reproof, rebuke, admonishment.
Basis for discipline
• The Lord disciplines his children (Heb 12:6)
• Holy character of God (1 Peter 1:16)
• Church discipline should be patterned after the
divine commands of the Scripture.
• The church must behave differently than the
world in order to maintain credibility and
authenticity
Purposes of Discipline
1. To bring glory to God and enhance the testimony of the
flock.
2. To restore, heal, and build up sinning believers.
3. To protect the church against the destructive
consequences that occur when churches fail to carry
out church discipline.
4. To set an example for the rest of the body and promote
godly fear (1 Tim. 5:20).
5. To silence false teachers and their influence in the
church (Tit.1:10-11).
6. To produce a healthy faith, one sound in doctrine (Tit
1:13; 1 Tim 1:19-20).
Steps of Discipline

1. Seek private correction and/or reconciliation with the

offender. (Matt 18:15)
2. If the 1st step fails, take witnesses to strengthen the
effect of the discipline, preferably spiritual leaders, so if
it has to be brought before the whole church it can be
firmly proven and established. (Matt 18:16-17)
3. If the 2nd step fails, seek reconciliation and restoration
through the whole body. If further action is necessary, it
is to be taken before the whole church. (2 Thes 3: 14-
15; Matthew 18:17; 1 Tim 5:20)
Procedures for Restoration
• As members of the body of Christ, we must learn to
understand, protect, rebuke and forgive one another.
(Luke 17: 1-4)
• Understand - Jesus said that we can count on man to
let us down. People will make mistakes. Man is not
perfect, but Jesus is.
• Protect – We should not aid in the sin of others. Lead by
example. “You know whom you see, but you don’t know
who sees you.”
• Rebuke – If thy brother trespasses against thee, rebuke
him … literally means if he “sinned against thee.”
• Forgive – If he repents, forgive him.
Conclusion

• Lead by example
• Showing respect is never wrong
• Doing right never goes out of style
• You are showing respect to God
• You are responsible for your actions
Zion, let’s be ALIVE in the power of God
• Adore God
• Love everybody, all
people
• Invest in God’s work
• Value God’s word
• Expand God’s
kingdom
Question & Answer