Scripture Reading Survey
The (Wordless?) People of the Word
July 23, 2001
About two months ago, one of our regular
writers smelled a crisis when he noticed too many saints forgetting their Bibles
at home and too few churches incorporating scripture reading into their
services. The resulting cover article, Shrugging
Off Scripture, created instant
recognition and response from readers everywhere.
To accompany the cover, we added one of
our acclaimed features—the Survey. In three questions, we asked readers
nationwide to summarize their current experiences on this topic. Sadly, despite
numerous bright spots, most of the statistics seem to verify our cover story.
Scarier yet, if we hadn’t counted
submissions that said their scripture reading was before the sermon as “Yes”
(the article’s point was sermon-related scriptures was the only time
Apostolics regularly read scripture in service), then the number of churches
that read scripture would have dropped to about 30%!
As it is, 42% seems mighty low
for Christians who claim to depend upon this holy guidebook in their lives and
worship.
Question No. 1:
How many verses are read before a sermon in your church?
1-3 verses 25.58%
4-6 verses 46.5%
7-9 verses 16.27%
10+ verses 11.62%
Question No. 2
Do you know of any churches that read scripture regularly in services?
Respondents who answered:
No 58.14%
Yes 41.86%
Question No. 3
How do they incorporate said readings?
Scriptures Are Read (no specification given)
HighPoint, North Carolina UPC; Rev. Lark Lewis
Reading of Scripture at the Beginning of the Service
(perhaps in concert)
The Pentecostals of South Humboldt, Fortuna,
California; John Arcovio
Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Pastor Phil DePriest; We
open with scripture, and every few services we have a couple of exhortations
of the Word.
Church of Pentecost, Jacksonville, Florida;
Pastor Rick Olson; We read scriptures before and during the service.
Scriptural verses are quoted all throughout the sermons, and it’s
nothing for our Pastor or Assistant Pastor Brother Willie Cole to ask us to
turn to a passage(s) during the sermon. I
take notes during the sermons, and I usually have at least seven or eight
verses of scripture within my notes.
Beginning of the Service: A Call to Worship/Song
Service
Christian Life Church, Kansas City, Missouri;
Pastor Edwin Hathaway; We have a ‘call to worship’ at the beginning of
each service in which a passage is read (dealing with people coming together
and worshipping God). Then we ask God in prayer to have His way with us in
that service. The whole passage
and thought presented can have an impact and sometimes set the flow for the
entire service.
UPC—Prescott Valley, Arizona; Pastor Jimmy
Pence; The song leader usually reads a short portion of scripture that the
Lord has directed. The pastor
strongly admonishes saints to bring their Bibles to every service and to check
scriptures to make sure he is preaching what's truth. He uses so many scriptures every time he preaches or teaches
that my notes are filled with them! Saints
also share their Bibles with visitors who have not brought one with them.
Children are encouraged to find the scriptures so they can follow along
also. The congregation stands as
the opening scriptures are read. Wow,
didn't realize other churches were lacking in this area!
Makes me thankful for our pastor!
Lovingway UPC, Denver, Colorado; Pastor M. R.
Gordon; While it's not every
service, we do have frequent scripture readings before we begin our worship
service. Also, our pastor uses an
average of 6-10 different Bible passages every time he preaches.
Heavenview Tabernacle, North Carolina; Pastor
Harold Linder; Usually at the opening of the service or prior to the worship.
Apostolic Faith Church COGICJA, Urbanna,
Virginia; Scripture reading
during service opening, and also the preaching is directly from the Word of
God while it is read, preached on, and read more and preached on (rather than
a few scriptures read, then a long time of preaching).
The way I see it, it is however the Spirit is moving on the pastor or
leader. Some of our preachers, of course, preach from just a few scriptures,
while some preach from more.
Peoria, Illinois; Bishop James J. Lashley;
Bishop/Pastor will regularly read scripture during the song service (last
night, it was Psalms 18); there is always
some sort of text. Frequently
the minister closing the service will also read another passage.
My pastor would not allow a service without the Bible!
First Pentecostal Church, Colorado Springs,
Colorado; Bishop Johnson; Each service between worship songs, an associate
minister reads whatever passage 'God lays on his heart.'
Often that's a Psalm, but not always.
Many times the scripture read coincidentally corresponds with the
anointed sermon following! Also, the scripture must be read with Holy Ghost passion (not
in monotones). A Catholic friend
visited and afterwards exclaimed that finally she’s heard someone quote the
Psalms the way she’s sure David would have wanted them read!
Scripture Read Throughout the Service
Lebanon UPC, Lebanon, Tennessee; Pastor Daniel
Stirnemann; Pastor Stirnemann has someone come to the platform and read a
scripture.
East Palo Alto Apostolic Church, East Palo Alto,
California (Bay Area); Pastor Art Espinosa; During testimony time, before the
sermon and throughout.
Scripture Read Before the Sermon; Read/Quoted
Throughout the Sermon
Mt. Juliet UPC, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; Pastor
Scott Armstrong
First United Pentecostal Church, Webb City,
Missouri and at least three others also in this area
Brookfield, Illinois; Pastor Ric Gonzalez;
He gives what his main topic is which will be about 2-3 scriptures.
Then throughout his sermon, he will refer to a few more.
Antioch Apostolic Church, Annapolis, Maryland;
Brother C. M. Wright; In the beginning, as a basis for the message and
throughout to illustrate and connect points in the message.
Apostolic Church of Barberton, Barberton, Ohio;
Pastor Rodney Pamer; Before each sermon is read, scriptures are read aloud.
Wednesday night is Bible study and the scripture is read and studied.
Horrified or happy, we want to hear your comments!
Special thanks to
staff member Shirley McDonald for her valiant efforts to organize these answers
into an accessible format!
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2001, ninetyandnine.com
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