Hello All,
Might be a different question, but here goes:
We are currently vacant, but have had a non-CRC pastor (fully ordained with masters of divinity, cleared by classis, and submitting to our classically appointed councilor) helping us out.
A member has suggested that it is improper for this pastor to raise his hands during God's greeting, blessings, or benedictions.
Can anybody shed light on to this from a Biblical perspective. It seems to fail the common sense test, insofar that hands were well used throughout the Bible. However, the question remains, is the act of raising hands during these times reserved for CRC/RCA ministers only? Does the church order really intend this preservation in its description of official acts?
Same question could also apply when Elders do reading sermons. Is hand lifting prohibited then too?
Thanks.
Comments
We know things are either really really good, or really really bad, when we worry about handraising by leaders in church. Really really good because we have nothing serious to worry about, or really really bad when we make rules about such things as qualifications for raising hands by someone who has already been deemed qualified to lead a service. Compared to leading or reading or presenting a service/sermon, .... shouldn't we be blessing each other anyway? Does the raising of a hand or two make the blessing more legitimate? May God bless us all.
Justin,
I have addressed this question on pages 119, 120 and 294, 295 of Christian Reformed Church Order Commentary. Perhaps someone in your church has one or you can order it from Faith Alive Resources. Hope it helps.
The line in seminary was that it was OK to raise hands as a student long "as you didn't do it above your shoulders." :) When I was ordained and installed and everything was kosher, we came to the end of that service, and I raised 'em so high I probably hit the ceiling.
The blessing is one of those parts of the service that our pragmatic "doing" culture doesn't always seem to connect with, and probably thinks the service can do without. Yet as I continue to pastor, I find myself remembering blessings more often...giving the last one to a congregation you're departing, after caring for them for years, or giving one to someone hours before they pass away. It's closer to the heart of what we do as pastors then we often realize.
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