Guidelines for the Benediction

Guidelines for the Benediction

Guidelines for the benediction. After the sermon the preacher transitions the congregation from the corporate worship service to the period of fellowship. This may be useful to print and keep at the back of your Bible.

Close your sermon in a prayer

• Thank God for the relevance of His Word to us today.
• Try and not repreach the sermon or preach a point you didn’t make in the sermon.
• A brief prayer asking God to make us doers of His Word not merely hearers is appropriate.

Before the Benediction

• Inform that there is tea and coffee outside and everyone is invited to join us.
• Inform that an elder will available at the front of the church should they need prayer.
• Inform visitors that they will be greeted in the fellowship hall by the bookshelves and someone will be on hand to introduce them to us and answer questions they may have.

The Benediction

• The benediction closes the service and indicates it’s the right time to leave the sanctuary.
• Ask people to allow you to leave the building first so that you can greet folk at the door.
• Say, “Please stand for the reading of God’s Word.”

Helpful Texts

• Romans 8:38-39, 11:33, 15:5-6; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 13:11, 13:14; Galatians 6:16; Ephesians 3:17-19, 3:20-21; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15, 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, 5:23-24, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; 1 Timothy 1:17, 6:15b-16; Philemon 25; Hebrews 13:20-21; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 John 3; Jude 24-25; Revelation 1:5b-6, 5:12-13, 7:12, 22:20-21.

After the Benediction

• Go to the door and greet everyone, including the children, as they leave the church.
• Do not engage in lengthy conversation as this slows the line. If necessary indicate to people that you’ll come and find them once everyone has left the building.