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The Presbyterian Handbook
About this book
Prepared in a style similar to the Survivor's Guide books, The Presbyterian Handbook provides historical and theological information about Presbyterian beliefs alongside fun-filled facts and practical tips on being a churchgoing follower of Jesus Christ. Complete with illustrations, the book presents a wonderful combination of vast truths, complex details, and bits of humor about Presbyterian understanding of the Christian life. This unique and incredibly handy resource is perfect for Presbyterian youth, adults, students, families, and all those interested in learning about much of what encompasses life in the church.
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Information
CHURCH STUFF
Every well-prepared Presbyterian should have a basic understanding of Presbyterian teachings and where they came from.
Plus, since every church goes about worship in a slightly different way, it might take a little time to get the hang of thingsâespecially if youâre new to a congregation.
This section includes:
- Essential facts about the Presbyterian faith. (If you know these things, youâll know more than most.)
- Practical advice for singing hymns, taking Communion, and getting to know the people in your congregation.
- Hints for enjoying worshipâeven when youâre having a bad day.
HOW TO GET TO KNOW YOUR PASTOR
Pastors play an important role in the daily life of your congregation and the community. Despite their churchly profession, fancy robes, and knowledge of Greek, pastors experience the same kinds of ups and downs as everyone else. They value member efforts to meet, connect with, and support them.
1 Connect with your pastor after worship.
After the worship service, join others in line to shake the pastorâs hand. Sharing a comment about the sermon, readings, or hymns lets the pastor know that his or her worship planning time is appreciated. If your congregation doesnât practice the dismissal line, find other ways to make that personal connection.
After the worship service, join others in line to shake the pastorâs hand. Sharing a comment about the sermon, readings, or hymns lets the pastor know that his or her worship planning time is appreciated. If your congregation doesnât practice the dismissal line, find other ways to make that personal connection.
2 Pray daily for your pastor, because he or she doesnât just work on Sunday.
Your pastor has many responsibilities, like visiting members in the hospital, writing sermons, and figuring out who can help drain the flooded church basement. In your prayers, ask God to grant your pastor health, strength, and wisdom to face the many challenges of leading a congregation.
Your pastor has many responsibilities, like visiting members in the hospital, writing sermons, and figuring out who can help drain the flooded church basement. In your prayers, ask God to grant your pastor health, strength, and wisdom to face the many challenges of leading a congregation.
3 Ask your pastor to share with you why he or she entered ordained ministry.
There are many reasons why a pastor may have enrolled in seminary to become an ordained minister. Be prepared for a story that may surprise you.
There are many reasons why a pastor may have enrolled in seminary to become an ordained minister. Be prepared for a story that may surprise you.
4 Stop by your pastorâs office to talk, or consider making an appointment to get to know him or her.
Pastors welcome the opportunity to connect with church members at times other than worship. As you would with any drop-in visit, be sensitive to the fact that your pastor may be quite busy. A scheduled appointment just to chat could provide a welcome break in your pastorâs day.
Pastors welcome the opportunity to connect with church members at times other than worship. As you would with any drop-in visit, be sensitive to the fact that your pastor may be quite busy. A scheduled appointment just to chat could provide a welcome break in your pastorâs day.
Getting to know your pastor can help you to get more out of church.
HOW TO SURVIVE FOR ONE HOUR IN AN UNAIR-CONDITIONED CHURCH
Getting trapped in an overheated sanctuary is a common churchgoing experience. The key is to minimize your heat gain and electrolyte loss.
1 Plan ahead.
When possible, scout out the sanctuary ahead of time to locate optimal seating near fans or open windows. Consider where the sun will be during the worship service and avoid sitting under direct sunlight. Bring a bottle of water for each person in your group.
When possible, scout out the sanctuary ahead of time to locate optimal seating near fans or open windows. Consider where the sun will be during the worship service and avoid sitting under direct sunlight. Bring a bottle of water for each person in your group.
2 Maintain your distance from others.
Human beings disperse heat and moisture as a means of cooling themselves. An average-size person puts off about as much heat as a 75-watt lightbulb. The front row will likely be empty and available.
Human beings disperse heat and moisture as a means of cooling themselves. An average-size person puts off about as much heat as a 75-watt lightbulb. The front row will likely be empty and available.
3 Remain still.
Fidgeting will only make your heat index rise.
Fidgeting will only make your heat index rise.
Use your bulletin as a personal fan to keep cool.
On hot days, wear light clothing underneath acolyte or choir robes.
4 During Communion, if wine and grape juice are offered, choose grape juice.
Alcohol is a dehydrator (diuretic), and dehydration is bad. The miniscule amount of alcohol in Communion wine is unlikely to cause dehydration, but err on the side of caution
Alcohol is a dehydrator (diuretic), and dehydration is bad. The miniscule amount of alcohol in Communion wine is unlikely to cause dehydration, but err on the side of caution
5 Dress for survival.
Wear only cool, breathable fabrics.
Wear only cool, breathable fabrics.
6 Avoid acolyte or choir robes when possible.
Formal robes are especially uncomfortable in the heat. If you must wear one, make sure to wear lightweight clothes underneath.
Formal robes are especially uncomfortable in the heat. If you must wear one, make sure to wear lightweight clothes underneath.
7 Pray.
Jesus survived on prayer in the desert for 40 days. Lifting and extending your arms in an open prayer position may help cool your body by dispersing excess heat. If youâve been perspiring, though, avoid exposing others to your personal odor.
Jesus survived on prayer in the desert for 40 days. Lifting and extending your arms in an open prayer position may help cool your body by dispersing excess heat. If youâve been perspiring, though, avoid exposing others to your personal odor.
Be Aware
- Carry a personal fanâor use your bulletin as a substitute.
- Worship services scheduled for one hour sometimes will run long. Plan ahead.
HOW TO RESPOND WHEN SOMEONE SITS IN YOUR PEW
We all carry a bubble of personal space. For some people, itâs several feet. For others, itâs about a millimeter. Wherever on the spectrum you happen to fall, there are certain situations in which we invite visitors into our little sphere of experienceâlike at church. Furthermore, human beings are territorial in nature and sometimes see strangers inside the bubble as an affront. These situations need not be cause for alarm.
1 Smile and greet the âintruders.â
Oftentimes they are visitors to your congregationânew blood. Avoid creating bad blood you might regret later on. Make solid eye contact so they know you mean it, shake hands with them, and leave no impression that theyâve done something wrong.
Oftentimes they are visitors to your congregationânew blood. Avoid creating bad blood you might regret later on. Make solid eye contact so they know you mean it, shake hands with them, and leave no impression that theyâve done something wrong.
2 View the âintrusionâ as an opportunity.
Remember, you donât own the pew; you just borrow it once a week. Take the opportunity to get out of your rut and sit someplace new. This will physically emphasize a change in your perspective and may yield new spiritual discoveries.
Remember, you donât own the pew; you just borrow it once a week. Take the opportunity to get out of your rut and sit someplace new. This will physically emphasize a change in your perspective and may yield new spiritual discoveries.
3 If you can tell that your new friends feel uncomfortable at having displaced you, despite your efforts to the contrary, make an extra effort to welcome them.
Consider taking them to brunch after church to become acquainted. If there are too many for you to foot the bill, consider inviting them to accompany you on a âgo Dutchâ basis. This will eliminate any hierarchy and place you on equal footing.
Consider taking them to brunch after church to become acquainted. If there are too many for you to foot the bill, consider inviting them to accompany you on a âgo Dutchâ basis. This will eliminate any hierarchy and place you on equal footing.
HOW ...
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- This Book Belongs To
- About My Congregation
- Preface
- Church Stuff
- Everyday Stuff
- Bible Stuff
- Presbyterian Stuff
- Confessing the Faith
- For Further Study