Todd Clippard

Topic(s): Worship, Church

Though some acts performed in a funeral service are also conducted during a worship assembly, it is not necessary or proper to equate them.  Let us first ask the question, "What is the purpose of worship?"  By definition, worship is the means by which Christians offer praise, honor, reverence, and adoration to God.  Worship can only be accomplished through intent.  True worship centers our attention and focus upon God.  God has given the church five avenues of worship: Preaching/Bible Study, Giving, Singing, Prayer, and the Lord's Supper. 

However, not all Bible study is worship.  Some of it is for personal development.  Some is for sermon or Bible class preparation.  Certainly all Bible study would not be classified as worship.

The same can be said for singing.  Sometimes I sing hymns to myself as I work outside or as I drive my truck to a preaching appointment or into town.  I do not consider this to be worship, but edification.  I am built up as I sing, but my entire focus is not on God.

Finally, not all giving or use of unleavened bread and grape juice is worship.  I may make a donation to a children's home, but it is not worship.  Neither am I worshipping every time I drink grape juice or eat unleavened bread (crackers).

Funeral services differ from worship in the very purpose of the gathering.  The purpose of a funeral is not to worship God; it is to comfort the bereaved.  While one may sing, read from the Bible, and even preach the gospel during a funeral, this still does not make it the equivalent of a worship service.

In Acts 17:16-31, Paul preached the gospel to the Athenian philosophers. He did not, however, worship with or in any way engage in fellowship with these people.  Rather, he "practiced what he preached" (wrote) in Ephesians 5:11 – he reproved their unfruitful works of darkness. Also, the presence of a gospel preacher at a funeral service in no way implies any agreement or fellowship with anyone else who may have a part in that service.

Furthermore, if it be the case that a gospel preacher cannot have a part in a funeral service where an unfaithful or denominational preacher might be present, then it follows that no Christian should ever be present at a funeral conducted in whole or in part by a denominational preacher. Proximity is not the equivalent of fellowship (1 Cor 5:9-10).