By Roosevelt Wright, Jr.
There are unwritten rules of pulpit etiquette for ministers. The way we conduct ourselves in the pulpit reflects our respect for the local house and its leadership. New preachers won’t find these rules in a book, but they are part of the unwritten protocols
Timing and Presence
First, do not enter the pulpit area until the host pastor arrives. Taking your seat early may seem efficient, but it calls attention to the pastor’s absence or perceived lateness. Wait for leadership to ask you up, rather than be asked down or moved around. Furthermore, if you are an unprogrammed guest, ensure there are more than enough seats for the day’s active participants before taking a spot. If space is tight, find a seat in the congregation unless the host pastor specifically invites you up. This is especially true for funerals; if you are not on program, sit in the audience until called up.
The Matter of the “Main Chair”
The pastor’s chair is a symbol of local authority. Even if you are the featured speaker, do not sit there unless the pastor has explicitly invited you to do so beforehand. Interestingly, even if a deacon or officer invites you to take that seat, it is often more gracious to politely decline. While a host may offer their chair to a visiting pastor as a gesture of “ex-officio” honor for the day, do not take offense if it isn’t offered—especially if you do not currently hold a pastorate.
Deference and Honor
Finally, always be mindful of those around you. If chairs are scarce, it is a mark of high character to offer your seat to a visiting senior pastor or denominational official.
In the pulpit, as in the ministry, we should give honor where honor is due.
