Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA 225
session. The receiving of the offering may be preceded or followed by a bri
prayer In which God's provision is joyfully recorded and the gifts committed
solemnly to the work of Christ's kingdom and the blessing of the Lord. If the
offering is not received during the service itself, a collection box for offerings may
be placed near the door of the worship area.
Reading the Scriptures
18. The reading of the Word of God in public worship is an essential element of
worship and a primary means appointed by God for the building up of His people.
In it, we acknowledge our dependence upon the Lord and our submission to Him.
19. All the canonical books of the Old and New Testament (but none of those
which are commonly called Apocrypha) shall be publicly read in the language of
the people, from a sound translation, distinctly, so that everyone may hear and
understand.
20. The length of the passage(s) to be read, is left to the wisdom of the
minister. We would encourage the practice of reading a passage from each
Testament in the service, perhaps in a consecutive manner, so as to read the
whole of Scripture in the course of time. When reading, the minister should
always make clear what is Scripture and what is his own comment. Worshippers
should be attentive and follow the reading of Scripture in their Bibles.
Preaching the Word of God
21. The preaching of the Word is an essential element of public worship. Since
itis the power of God unto salvation and one of the greatest works of the ministry
of the gospel,it should done in such a way the workman need not be ashamed, but
may save both himself and those who hear him. The minister is to prepare for the
preaching by much study of the Word of God and prayer. He should seek the aid
of the Holy Spirit that he may declare the whole counsel of God. He should read
widely and keep abreast of the scholarship and the social and doctrinal issues of the
times. His messages should be adapted to his audience, both in content and
delivery (I Tim. 4:16).
22. Sermons will be either expository or topical. Expository preaching will take
up a whole book of the Bible, or perhaps a chapter or a Psalm. Topical preaching
considers a text of Scripture, because of its particular doctrinal or practical
teaching, or because it speaks clearly to the events and circumstances of the
occasion. In any case, the explicit teaching of the Bible, the inscripturated Word
of God, and the clear proclamation of Christ, the incarnate Word of God, must
invariably be the constant focus of all faithful preaching.
23. The servant of Christ, whatever his method of sermon preparation or style
of preaching, is to perform his whole ministry:
(a) Diligently, not doing the work of the Lord negligently, as a worker
who need not be ashamed, correctly handling the word of truth (2 Tim.
2:15).