About The Author: Bishop Alton A. Smith is the Senior Pastor of the St. Mark Church of Christ in Goldsboro, North Carolina and the General Bishop (President) of the over three hundred congregations of the Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, International. These congregations are located in the United States, Jamaica, Panama and West Africa. He has been recognized by the United American * Will Baptist Denomination as a Fellowship Bishop in the * Will Baptist Church and an honorary member of the Original * Will Baptist Church, both of North Carolina. He is a servant of God and a strong believer in the family. His family consists of his wife, Doris Benton Smith (retired educator). They have one daughter. The Smiths reside in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

ORDER IN THE CHURCH

[Proper Church Etiquette and Protocol]By Alton A. Smith

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Bishop Alton A. Smith
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4567-6936-9

Contents

Dedication..........................................................................viiAcknowledgements....................................................................ixForeword Rev. J. O. Williams........................................................xiIntroduction Bishop Alton A Smith..................................................xvDefinitions.........................................................................xviiChapter 1 The Worship Service.......................................................1Chapter 2 Church Organization and Structure.........................................5Chapter 3 Care and Respect for the Church Facility and Property.....................11Chapter 4 Church Etiquette..........................................................15Chapter 5 Pulpit Etiquette..........................................................19Chapter 6 Clergy Attire and Ministerial Vestment....................................23Chapter 7 The Bishopric.............................................................29Chapter 8 Funeral Etiquette for the Bishop and the Elder............................37Chapter 9 Guide to Leadership in the Church.........................................41Chapter 10 Five Steps to Heaven.....................................................47Bibliography........................................................................51

Chapter One

THE WORSHIP SERVICE

This information that follows is the basic order of worship. It is not meant to be exclusive nor inclusive. The author realizes that each church has its own order of worship with both additions and/or deletions of this basic order. The basic order of Worship is a guide ...

The Basic Order of Worship

Musical Prelude Call to Worship Processional Doxology Invocation Response Aim and Plea of the Church/Church Affirmation Morning Hymn Scripture Prayer Chant Hymn of Praise/Mission Announcements Offering Offertory Prayer Inspirational Selection Sermon Invitation to Discipleship Invitational Hymn Benediction

The Worship Service

WHAT IS WORSHIP?

Worship is an expression of reverence, praise and thanksgiving for God.

THE WORSHIP SERVICE INCLUDES FOUR COMPONENTS:

The Act of Reverence (Psalms 100:3)

Musical Prelude Call to Worship Processional Doxology Invocation Response Aim and Plea of the Church/Affirmation of Faith

The Act of Fellowship (Hebrews 10:25)

The Morning Hymn Scripture Prayer Order in the Church Chant Announcements

The Act of Dedication/Reconciliation (Malachi 3:10, Matthew 7:11)

Offering Offertory Prayer

The Act of Renewal (Psalms 119:11, 33-45, 105)

Inspirational Selection Sermon Invitation to Discipleship Altar Prayer Benediction

Chapter Two

CHURCH ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE

CHURCH ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The HEAD of the Church Jesus Christ – Son of God ASTOR DEACONS MOTHERS TRUSTEES DEPARTMENT OR MINISTRY LEADERS MEMBERS

Organization and Structure of the Church

1. JESUS CHRIST - THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH

* Alpha & Omega (the First & the Last) Revelations 1:8 * Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins I John 2:2 * Bishop of our souls 1 Peter. 2:25 * Chief Shepherd 1 Peter 5:4 * Deliverer Rom. 11:26 * Eternal Life 1 John 1:2; 5:20 * Hope of Glory Colossians 1:27 * King of Kings Revelations 19:16 * Lamb of God John 1:29 * Lord of Lords Revelations 19:16 * Our Great God and Savior Titus 2:13 * Son of the Most High God Luke 1:32 * The Only-begotten Son of God John 3:6 * The Resurrection and the Life John 11: 25 * The Way John 14:6

2. PASTOR - THE UNDER SHEPHERD

* An ordained member of the clergy.

* Ordained leader of the church

* Congregational Leader

* Duties of the Pastor include:

  Live Holy and Above Reproach – I Timothy 3:2 - A bishop (elder) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality ..."

  Preach the Word of God – II Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

  Teach the Word of God – I Timothy 3:2 - A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach

  Oversight of the church – Acts 20:28 – Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

  Shepherd the Congregation – I Peter 5:7 - Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.

  Pray For and Minister to God's People – Acts 6:4 - But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

  Minister to the Sick, Widows and Elderly – James 5:14 - Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

  Provide Spiritual Care and Discipline for the People of God – I Peter 5:2 - Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3. DEACONS – I Timothy 3:8-13

"Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found...