About Church Services

[NIrelandGillian]

If you visiting church you dont need to make an offering nobody minds. It is between you and God.

My question would be, are visitors assured of this?

Gillian

 

[NIrelandGillian]

How do you handle the Lords Supper in a home group? Who does the Baptism? How are your offerings recorded and records kept?

Our home groups are not churches. They are simply groups of people from our church who meet about twice a month in certain people's homes for Bible study, prayer and refreshments. We have three groups altogether.

Gillian

 

[Goodbook]

My question would be, are visitors assured of this?

Gillian

What do you mean? The offering is freewill so it really is up to the individual. If someone is visiting they are not obligated. On the church bulletin there is a bank account number if you want to do it that way, church members who bring cash to church and offer regularly have special envelopes. But these envelopes are not left on every seat like ive seen it done in some churches. If you want one you just take them from a box in the lobby.
Theres no fanfare for the offering, its just part of the church service to say 'now we will take up the offering' and after it is taken up a prayer is said so that it will be used for His Kingdom.

 

[farout]

Our home groups are not churches. They are simply groups of people from our church who meet about twice a month in certain people's homes for Bible study, prayer and refreshments. We have three groups altogether.

Gillian

Thank you for your reply. Then where do you go for Baptisms or the Lords Supper? Or do you all go to church some place else?

 

[NIrelandGillian]

What do you mean? The offering is freewill so it really is up to the individual. If someone is visiting they are not obligated. On the church bulletin there is a bank account number if you want to do it that way, church members who bring cash to church and offer regularly have special envelopes. But these envelopes are not left on every seat like ive seen it done in some churches. If you want one you just take them from a box in the lobby.
Theres no fanfare for the offering, its just part of the church service to say 'now we will take up the offering' and after it is taken up a prayer is said so that it will be used for His Kingdom.

Ok, so you lift envelopes, not cash and if anyone doesn't have an envelope they can get one from a box? Ds o visitors know that, but that they are not obliged to give?

It sounds as though the system works for your church, but I have been in churches where plates have been passed round for an offering and not had any money in my purse to give and have had to pass the plate on.

Gillian

 

[Goodbook]

Well if you dont have any money you dont have to put in the bag just pass to the next person, no big deal.
The envelopes are for regular givers, its just for them to put aside money so they can be prepared but if you want to put money in the bag you can without an envelope.

 

[Dwight55]

Our little non denomination church is very simple:

Welcome (pastor) with newsworthy items from weekly bulletin.
Prayer for the service
Birthdays / Anniversaries acknowledged
Pennies for the youth taken up by one elder
Prayer for offering / 2 elders take up offering
2 hyms
Amazing Grace (all 4 verses) as we stand, mingle, shake hands, neck hug, etc.
Personal testimonies
Special singing
Message
Altar Call / Prayer
Blessings of the congregants
Benediction

Generally this is followed every Sunday, . . .

May God bless,
Dwight

 

[NIrelandGillian]

Thank you for your reply. Then where do you go for Baptisms or the Lords Supper? Or do you all go to church some place else?

The house groups are only part of what we do in connection with our church. We have an actual church building where we meet every Sunday morning and evening and celebrate the Lord's supper. We also have a baptismal pool in the church.

You can find out more about us at www.antrimbaptistchurch.org

Gillian