As I continue my journey as a layman after 28+ years in vocational ministry, I thought I’d write a bit about things, as I perceive them as a layman. They are in no random order, simply thoughts as they come to me.
1. Long Weeks – As a pastor I can remember thinking “How hard is it to get up and come to church on Sunday?” It was easy to be frustrated when folks would “lay out of church.” But for years I have had Fridays or at least half a day on Friday off. Either way it wasn’t a “work” day and I only worked long enough to finish getting ready for Sunday. Now I work full days Monday-Friday and can tell you those are LONG weeks and the weekends go by much too fast. I think every preacher about once every 3-4 years ought to be made to work for a month Monday-Friday on top of their normal Sunday duties to have an appreciation for the commitment the laity makes in getting there on Sunday. Now don’t get overly religious on me here. I know it’s the Lord’s Day and we ought to desire to be in worship. I’m just saying it is more difficult and takes more discipline after working 40+ hours Monday-Friday.
2. The Welcome Time – As churches we often believe we are much more friendly than we really are. The last two weeks I have purposely gotten to worship about 10 minutes early and sat down in the worship center to see what my experience would be. Both Sundays people were coming and going, walking by, sitting directly in front of me and behind me chatting with friends but not once did someone speak to me other than 1-2 perfunctory “Good mornings”. Then as the worship service began and people were told to stand and greet their neighbor it seemed very superficial to me. The same people who were sitting around me oblivious to my existence now wanted to put on their best Sunday face and say hello to me. If folks REALLY wanted to greet me they would have done so when they came in, looked around, sat down, and saw I was by myself. All of this to say if a church wants to be deemed friendly it doesn’t need an orchestrated time because it likely feels phony to the guests. Instead, take time as members, before church or even after church to speak, ask someone their name, ask if they are new, etc.
3. Life Application – 2 of my 3 Sundays the sermon life application has been great. I was able to leave knowing exactly what the preacher had said and how it should affect the way I live. Last week was different. I left wondering what the sermon was about. I spent a good bit of time Sunday afternoon making sure I wasn’t simply a preacher judging another preacher. I earnestly reflected on what the sermon was about and still could not make any connection with what was said and what it means about how I should live. Life application is critical. If we leave church wondering what was just said or how it changes things for us in 2019, then the mission of the sermon has not been accomplished. I’m convinced God wants worshippers to understand what His word says and what it means for how they live. I regret the times I preached and people left wondering what I’d just said and how it could and should be a game-changer in their life.
I’m confident I will have more observations as I adjust to life as a layman, but these are the things that have hit me this first month of adjusting.
Be the Church!
Tom
No comments:
Post a Comment