PASTORS
ANNIVERSARIES (APPRECIATION) RITUALS & MONEY
Part 1: Rituals & God
In
the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.
Pastor Appreciation
Services are traditional in many churches. However, there is no scriptural base
for the programs. A program or service to honor your Pastor in itself is not
wrong. But yearlong fund-raising activities to give a Pastor large sums of
money is wrong and a clear violation of scripture.
Meanwhile, the Bible
does not directly speak to Pastor Anniversaries. So in order to determine if
these rituals are pleasing to God we will first make specific definitive
statements. Here we will define rituals and place the Pastors Anniversary
Services in the realm of rituals. The secular definition of ritual reveals a
religious meaning. Thus, we find utility in the following definitive statement
on rituals.
Rituals are a form or
system of rites: The rites of baptism, marriage, and burial are parts of the
ritual of the church.
At this point we ask
the following questions: Are Pastors Anniversary Services church rituals? What
defines a church ritual? What is the historical development of church rituals?
Have some rituals changed, and have there been transition of rituals? What does
sin and sacrifices have to do with rituals?
Rituals play a
significant and important role in the religious practices of Israel, Judaism
and Christianity. Rituals were also a way to note the dynamics of Israel’s
history. For example the Passover meal provided a way to remember Gods' saving
acts on behalf of Israel.
Although rituals
existed prior to the Law for our purposes, we will begin our discussion of
rituals and how they relate to our discussion with the Law. In Leviticus 1:1 we
see why God established many rituals in the Old Testament.
The Book of Leviticus
is the record of God giving instructions and laws to Moses. At this time the
people of Israel had camped at the foot of Mount Sinai. The Tabernacle had been
completed. Here God would teach the people how to relate to a Holy God.
Leviticus 1:1. 'And
the Lord called unto Moses and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the
congregation saying,"
God teaches the
people that sin is serious. Therefore, an animal sacrifice was a way to rid the
people from sin. The record shows that many rituals were related to the culture
of that time. However, the purpose of the sacrificial rituals to reveal a high
and Holy God is still evident in the hearts and minds of Christians. Thus the
significance of Old Law rituals pertaining to love and worship of God is
central to being a believer. Therefore, these ceremonies and rituals had an
expressed purpose to touch the heart of the believers.
Numbers 7: 89.
"And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak
with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy
seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims and he
spake unto him."
Moses as the law
giver is cast into the role of the High Priest. Thus, his position is greater
than Aaron. During these times God had occasion to speak directly to his people
and tell them the proper way to live. We are now blessed with the written Word
of God and have a record of these events and the character of God.
As noted previously
sacrifices are a part of the rituals noted in Leviticus. In Leviticus the words
sacrifice and offering are often interchanged. Therefore, offerings were
generally called sacrifices. Under the Old Law the sacrifice was the only way
to approach God and restore a relationship with him.
Sacrifice is noted as
a religious act belonging to worship in which an offering is made to God. Thus,
offerings consist of material objects belonging to the person making the
offering. Here we see in the definitive qualities of sacrifice the clear
refutation of sacrificial offerings as tithe and the offering as money. This
offering was consumed in the ceremony in order to restore and maintain or
celebrate a positive relation with God.
Meanwhile the motives
of the one making the offering may vary to include faith, repentance, and
adoration. However, the main purpose is to please God and secure His favor. The
laws of the sacrifice center on the belief that God makes his presence know
within the confines of a material world.
Exodus 20: 24-12.
"And altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, an shalt sacrifice thereon
thy burnt offerings and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all
places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee."
This was a time (80
days) before Moses would come with the Law and the description of the
tabernacle and the instruments of service. Thus, they were still under the
Patriarchal Dispensation. Under this system the family altar was the central
place of worship.
Meanwhile God offers
divine direction toward building the altar. Thus it is evident that if they do
not follow God's directions His favor would not be extended to them. It is also
noted that the people did not have the Bible to refer to. There were also few
religious leaders to learn from. Therefore God had to teach them how to worship
Him. Idol worship was a common practice. God wanted to prevent this practice
thus His instructions on building the altar. Finally God wanted to prevent the
people from establishing their own religions. Thus God did not want them to
change or alter His plans for worship.
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net