As a kid, mornings were a whirlwind, to say the least. I had breakfast (chocolate Pop-Tarts™ and chocolate Instant Breakfast™), made lunch, stuffed it into my Bonanza™ (yes, a lunch box based on the western tv series), lunchbox, got dressed (don’t worry about the hair), and ran to the door (after watching about 5 minutes of the morning kids’ show, Davey and Goliath). My mom always stopped me to check if I had school work and lunch with me, make sure I was dressed for the elements and weather, and then would ask me “did you take your vitamin?” It was a small chewable tablet in the shape of an animal or cartoon character, but still important. It was that final layer of protection and nourishment before I went out to face the day. If I did’nt take it, she’d put one in my hand, look me in the eye, and wait until I took it before sending me out the door. That act of sending-it was always accompanied with a word of love. Or, if it was one of those rough mornings, it was with a word of discipline or reconciliation. But, no matter what, I was being sent out-prepared, covered, nourished (sort of) and blessed to face what was ahead.
So, where am I going with this?
I talk to a lot of leaders, and I hear the same thing regarding the close of worship each weekend. People are heading for the exits before the end of worship, at the start of the response-the altar call, before we can even bring it all to a close. Many worship leaders seem obsessed with the “flow,” and how to master the art of transition. But the two most difficult times for me in leadership are starting well…and ending well.
We’re missing something here.
We’re so caught up in our own little worlds, eager to rush back into our busyness, missing the opportunity to meet one of the most vital needs we have. The way I see if, sending people out at the close of worship has become a dry, perfunctory “hey you’re all dismissed, say hi to someone on your way out,” or nothing more than a reminder to come back for a big event or sign up to help with a ministry project. The things that matter most-matters of the heart, take time, attention and preparation – the benediction is one of those things.
We were wired up for blessing.
We are made to receive it, and to give it. A benediction—that final blessing in a worship service, isn’t just a signal that it’s time to leave. It’s the spiritual “multi-vitamin” for our souls. It’s the moment we are covered and commissioned by God himself before we walk out that door. And I’m afraid that we’ve treated it like an awkward moment we just didn’t plan for, or a mere afterthought. We’re too vague, too foggy, too bored, too over-stimulated to stop long enough to open our hearts and lift our hands to receive the blessing of God upon our lives and our families.
This isn’t a modern invention-far from it. When we look at the historical patterns of Christian worship, we see a four-fold rhythm: Gathering, Word, Table (or response), and Send. This isn’t something we just made up. It’s modeled after biblical events and has been a part of Christian practice since the third century. The sending is the climax, the moment where worship morphs into mission.
When you look at Scripture, you see it everywhere.
In Numbers 6, God tells the priests to put His Name on the people and bless them.
In Genesis 12, God blesses Abraham, not just for his own sake, but so he can become a blessing to all the families of the earth.
And think about Luke 24 and Acts 1. What was Jesus’ last action before ascending? He blessed his disciples and then commissioned them to go to the ends of the earth as ambassdors for the kingdom-ministers of reconciliation.
The benediction is that moment for us.
What does that mean for you? It means that when you receive that final blessing, you are not just hearing nice words. You are receiving:
God’s Presence, a covering with His Name. He goes with you and goes before you.
God’s Power to encourage, equip and strengthen you to walk in Him and His ways.
God’s Purpose for your life, your work, your family. He offers us a reason to get up each day.
God’s Promise that he will be with you and will accomplish His intentions for you.
God’s Protection from the attacks of the enemy and the evil of this world.
God’s Provision for all your needs as you seek Him and put Him first in your life.
That blessing is your covering. Heading for the door and dodging the traffic, escaping the crowds, means we also miss what could be the most significant moment of the service. Ultimately, the close of worship is a bridge from a focused spiritual gathering to a life lived out in the world. It’s the moment when God’s grace, received during the service, is carried forward by a people on mission. Tim Keller once stated that, when we truly understand the meaning of God’s blessing, “your whole life should flash before your eyes.” Keller used this metaphorical thought to illustrate that the blessing is not a perfunctory act, but a life-reshaping pronouncement of God’s favor (“Benediction” Tim Keller | September 14, 2008).
So stay for that blessing.
And a final word to church leaders: make sure you’re offering something worth staying for. Don’t underestimate your role as a conduit of blessing between God and His people. The benediction is more than just a parting phrase; it’s about sending your flock out into a dark world, where the Evil One resides. It’s about empowering, compelling and commissioning the people of God as an army, a joyful procession, a holy nation, a royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9-10). Make sure they’re encouraged, equipped, nourished, covered and ready to go.
Here is a list of scriptures to consider and study. As you read through each one, ask how you might incorporate these into the close of worship? What are the main points addressed in each passage? Can you see evidence of God’s presence, power, purpose, protection and provision? How is the blessing administered?
- Genesis 1:28 and 5:1-2
- Numbers 6:26-27
- 1 Kings 8:54-61
- Jeremiah 29-31 (numerous points of blessing from the Lord throughout)
- Matthew 28:16-20
- Luke 24:36 and 45-49
- Acts 1:8
- Ephesians 1:3 and 3:14-21
- Jude 24-25
Until He comes-
Grace and Peace to You in Christ,
Dave
PS – if you would like, follow this link below to watch a sermon I preached online a while back, based on I Kings 8, and entitled “Send Us.” The URL is below, too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIeN17lY-C8&list=RDfIeN17lY-C8&start_radio=1