At the risk of “unleashing” rejoinders about assembly guidelines such as those in 1 Corinthians 14 (decently and in order), I observe that last Sunday evening’s gathering was for me refreshing.
Here is some of what I saw.
- I saw the little dog on the front row. Explanation given by our sister in Christ: I went to visit friends and I couldn’t get back home in time to drop off my dog and then get back to the church building. I hope it’s okay. My response: as long as we make sure he is included in the count!
- I saw the 3-4 year old child who left the auditorium by himself and was running up and down the center aisle during the sermon looking for the row where his parents were seated.
- I saw the child held by his father as his father prayed.
- I saw people move during the assembly at times some would consider awkward.
- I saw the church family not in a hurry, taking time to surround the Lord’s Supper table together, in the auditorium, to contemplate the death of Christ that binds us together. (It has been a long time since I saw Sunday evening communion served in the auditorium while the entire assembly waited in prayer and reflection.)
I concluded that I have become so accustomed to accelerated, sterilized worship assemblies where children are removed from the “adult” activity, that I had almost forgotten what it is like to be family. Family where people are informal, laughing, sharing, helping…. Family where people linger long because they hate to say good-bye and leave. Family where a Sunday noon meeting is no problem–we have all afternoon to eat. Family where children are present–watching, learning, laughing, and following their own agendas part of the time (as children are prone to do). Families where those who were not able to be present on Sunday morning are among the most honored and those who must be greeted and included.
We give a lot of lip service to the fact that the church is “family.” I wonder if those who visit us and observe our typical interactions would conclude the same?