Definition: Offertory–a musical composition played or sung during an offertory.
I grew up listening to the offertory every Sunday. Many times, it was my Mother who played it. When I got older the church we attended used the offertory as a time for the choir to sing. Regardless of who played or sang–it was a time of reflection.
Sometimes the offertory may be misunderstood as the music played while the ushers take up money–and I’ve seen many a church cut an offertory short because all of the money was taken up. If it is an interlude, while taking up money; it is wasting the churches time so, by all means, cut it short!
But the offertory can be an important time of reflection. A time that is slowly going away. In more and more services, I see this as more time to sing another praise song. Believe me–we don’t need another praise song. We need to sit and "be still". We need to worship–and I don’t mean stand up and sing. We need to spend time with the Lord–a time to listen.
So, worship leaders, I encourage a return to a moment where the band sings and plays and the congregation is quiet.
I know, I know it is not a performance. It will only be a performance if you want it to be. Make it a time of quiet reflection. Take time to lead others to meet with God–stop simply leading singing.