Why does an elder customarily shake the hand of the minister before and after the worship service in the presence of the congregation?

The origin of this action is unknown. Likely, it developed quite naturally and we have since tried to attach to it some meaningful explanation. The explanations vary. Some think that the point is that the elder before the worship service wishes upon the minister the blessing of the strength of the Lord and likewise after the worship service expresses the desire that the Lord truly give fruit upon the ministry of the Word. Others think that the elder authorizes the minister to administer the keys of the kingdom. Afterwards, the minister returns the authorization to the elder. Some maintain that the handshake after the church service signifies that the minister has faithfully ministered the Word of God.

We should not imbue this handshake with all sorts of ceremonial significance. There is no explicit scriptural or ecclesiastical injunction for it. We must guard against investing all sorts of significance in practices which Scrip­ture does not enjoin. That does not mean, on the other hand, that we should simply dis­pense with such customs either. Instead, we should seek to understand the reason behind the custom, and if it serves the decency and order of the worship service, we should not quickly abandon it.

When we turn to Scripture, we do find a Scriptural example that helps us understand why the practice may have begun and continued. In Galatians 2:9, we read that the apostles in Jerusalem gave Paul "the right hands of fellow­ship." This likely took place in the presence of the congregation. By way of this handshake they acknowledged and sanctioned Paul and Barnabas as ministers of the Gospel by receiving them as fellow-office bearers. By way of this handshake they expressed their common bond to the Lord and to one another. This meant to Paul also that the other office bearers would be co-labourers.

When we apply this thought to our situation, the handshake in the presence of the congrega­tion gives expression to the way the office functions. It expresses on the one hand the oneness in the task of the office, and on the other, the diversity in carrying out the office. The office-bearers have the co-responsibility for one another.

In light of this, I would like to make some pertinent remarks in connection with the elder's handshake.

The elder and minister function officially and not as individuals. After all, the minister received his authority as office bearer in the letter of credentials that he received upon examination by the classis (synod) and in his ordination to the office of the ministry in a local congregation. Thus the elder does not confer the authority to administer the Word, but merely acknowledges that he has that authority.

The second handshake, which the elder gives the minister after the worship service is more significant. Here we come close to what scripture calls the giving of "the hand of fellowship" (cf. Galatians 2:9), in which one expresses agreement with one another on what has been confessed and spoken. The form for the ordination of elders and deacons states:

that the office of elders is, 'to have regard unto the doctrine and conver­sation of the ministers of the Word, to the end that all things may be directed to the edifica­tion of the Church; and that no strange doc­trine be taught.'

In this way the elders particu­larly seek to do justice to their office as far as the aspect of oversight over the ministry of the Word is concerned.

The elder does not express his personal agree­ment with the preaching, but rather he acknowledges as office bearer that the minister has spoken in accordance with Scripture and the Confessions. This handshake does not imply that the elder agrees with every word spoken. It does indicate that the elder confirms in the presence of the congregation that the minister has spoken and acted in accordance with the Word of the Lord.

Seeing that the handshake is closely related to the elders' oversight over the preaching, it would be fitting for the other elders also to shake the minister's hand, as is practised in various congregations. Moreover, if indeed the elders would judge that a serious error, such as modern theology, had been taught, the elders as a body should take up the matter together behind closed doors. It is best if this does not come down upon the shoulders of one man.

Because these elements are also present in a so-called "reading service," it should also then be necessary to shake the hand before and after such a service.

In conclusion, the handshake of the elder has its background in the example of the apostles confirming the common bond between them­selves and Paul and Barnabas, and sanctioning their ministry among the Gentiles. We, today, must labor after this same sense of fellowship and cooperation among the diversity of gifts represented in the various offices in the church, especially between those who are called to preach and to rule. This should not end with a handshake, but be visible in every aspect of the church’s ministry.