I was asked last minute to be the pastor to run a funeral service.
I do not know the family.
This is an opportunity to share the Gospel to the family who are grieving.
I realized over the years young pastors might need a template for a funeral order of service.
Here’s one potential idea:
Overview of Memorial Service
Musical Prelude?
Introduction / Words of Welcome (Speaker:)
Prayer (Speaker: )
Obituary (Reader: )
Any music?
Scripture Reading: Psalm 23 (Reader: )
Sermon (Speaker: ; ___ minutes?)
Tribute from Family (Speaker: )
Eulogy/Life Tribute (Speaker:)
Thank you and Acknowledgements (Speaker: )
Closing/Benediction (Speaker: )
Some tips for the preacher:
- Have it the goal to share the Gospel in your sermon and in your prayer.
- Interview family members before the funeral to know the person who departed so that you can share information you learned about him or her.
- In difficult situation where the person is not a Christian and have a sinful life:
- Say how death makes us think about important things: Among them is the importance of relationships. Our relationship or lack of relationship with God matters.
- Focus on how life is hard and challenging and we all do sin but there’s grace of God to be forgiven.
- Say how death makes us think about important things: Where will we go when we die? Then share the Gospel.
While the entire process is difficult for all including the minister, I think this gets to the heart of the matter:
“In difficult situation where the person is not a Christian and have a sinful life:”
Oftentimes the family or friends of the deceased will want you to say they are in heaven now. This is something belonging to God. The minister should resist the temptation to say a sinner is in heaven to comfort the family especially without the accompanying evidences and graces of one who is regenerate by the One, True Living God. It is a false comfort to the family and will likely provide impetus for certain family members to stay on their course of life because, hey, Uncle Tommy is in heaven and boy was he a sinner.
Your points are excellent Jimmy! Bring it back to the Gospel, grace, repentance, forgiveness.
God bless you brother!
Thanks brother for reading this! The issue of salvation hangs in the balance and we gotta preach it while also being careful not to give false assurance!! Thanks brother! Last minute question I know: Would you want to write a guest post that I can schedule for June? There’s a upcoming trip I’m going in June and it won’t be as long as the last one in April but I do need a few guest spot!
I’m glad for the wisdom you have from God in sharing this post.
Absolutely, I’ll write a guest post. When do you need them by? I may be able to provide two for you.
Would June 8th work? Wow 2? Thanks!
Sounds good.
First guest post has been emailed to you brother Jimmy!
Well thank you
It has to be very difficult for the officiator when they don’t know the deceased and there’s no indication the person trusted in Christ. I appreciate your good counsel in this post.
Pray for me to preach this tomorrow morning for a funeral
I’ll be praying.
I believe, Yes…always present the Gospel. I pray it will be so… 🙂
Amen to that sister! I appreciate you sharing that.
Good point to remember to do:
“Have it the goal to share the Gospel in your sermon and in your prayer.”
Amen! Thanks for reading brother
Thanks for the great help for those who mourn. This is it: “Have it the goal to share the Gospel in your sermon and in your prayer.”
Blessings.
Thank you brother for reading this! Have a blessed weekend!
This is really important. I am glad you shared this. It is better to think about this and prepare before hand before one is faced with death and not knowing what to do in a short period of time. I pray this speaks to many!!!!
Thanks for reading this and yes I wish this is taught more in ministry training
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Thank you!!!