This post is written with all Christian love and kindness. I have said all the "bless their hearts that I can but I cannot keep silent anymore: "QUIT BEING LATE TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING". Yes, I just said what every preacher and music minister is thinking but won't say. I have been singing in the choir for a few weeks after taking a long break. I sang in the choir in the 2 churches before the one I am currently in. One thing that is noticeable: people coming in late.
I can't understand this for many reasons but the main one is that I can't stand being late. What are the only valid reasons for being late? Traffic jam, being sick, sick kids, etc..(maybe a few more). What are reasons that aren't valid? Just cannot get there on time, kids being difficult, etc... Are you late for work? What happens when you are late for work? You get docked pay. Eventually you will get fired! Be glad that God doesn't fire people!
Why is this such a big deal? Well, first the level of respect for your fellow worshipers doesn't show. I worship during the music portion of the service and when you come in and make me move so you can slide in the pew, I become distracted and take my focus off the Lord.
Second, you are not giving the best for your Lord. We will often have contemporary services but I think for some people that just means casual. Those things mean something so different. God is still God and He deserves more than just a casual passing on Sunday morning. Give the same respect for Him that you would give your boss or more! Respect the people who are worshiping and where they are in their relationship with the Lord. God is worth our awe and our reverence no matter our music style!
May I add...and take your fussy/happy but loud baby OUT.
ReplyDeleteYou may!
ReplyDeletewell, I'm not easily offended, (and I too value the virtue of being on time) but, that being said, I have to say that we never know what season of life another person may be in that's causing them to be tardy.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it's a new visitor in your midst? I'd always err on the side of offering a graceful welcome rather than appear annoyed at them 'disturbing' you.
I try to include plenty of worship time on my own so I'm fueled up before sunday.
Is there a particular area you can plant yourself so you won't be as bothered by the late arrivals?
Maybe you could sit front and center?
Church is largely like your family - you can't choose who becomes a part of your body, but you need to love 'em anyway. :)
I do love them and since I sing in the choir I see the same people come in late every week but I have been recently told that they do this because they don't like the music. They don't mean to disturb and I do love them. The same respect that I offer to them ought to be extended to those of us who do come to corporately worship. That was all I was sayin! I knew this would be controversial as being tardy is a pet peeve of mine! ;)
ReplyDeleteI've never been late to church...until I had a baby. Now we just can't seem to get out of the door on time. As soon as we're ready to go, she poops...every Sunday. She's not that "regular" any other day of the week, but on Sunday's it's like clockwork. I don't know what to do about that...
ReplyDeleteI actually know families who are late on purpose... they don't think of the praise and worship time as important, so they time their entrance to miss that part. So if P&W time ends early, they're coming in during the service. Or if it ends late, they're coming in during it. I try not to be annoyed because it's none of my business, but....
ReplyDeleteThe occasionally tardy is okay. We all have those days when things just don't go right or the kids are uncooperative, but every week?
ReplyDeleteYes, we're thrilled you're there no matter what time you come, but show God and your fellow church members a little respect and try to get there on time.