SLEEPING IN CHURCH?

"Church" in the vernacular of most Christians is someplace you go rather than what they are. I recall in years past many times when I sat on a hard pew (even the padded ones seem hard to me) trying to stay awake while I was chided, derided and generally made to feel like a worthless worm even while I was supposedly celebrating my freedom in Christ. I remember the one time that I actually lost the battle and fell asleep.

The point, at least from my perspective, is that when I finally grew in Christ that worship started to excite me - except for those diatribes delivered against the brethren because of their miserable failures as Christians. Finally I realized this was a well choreographed plan to keep the sheep in line because in the minds of church leaders were it not for these healthy doses of guilt that people would stop assembling, consequently contributions would drop off and the preacher would lose his "Job." I say this from experience because I once stood in those same pulpits and delivered those same red-faced, screaming monologues even while watching members peacefully sleep through my "lesson."

I submit, again from more recent experience, that when we energize the flock with messages of hope, forgiveness, and the providential protection of our heavenly father that members are alert and more attentive. Why? I believe it is because we each have a deep and abiding hunger for deliverance from the miserable state of humanity in which we're all trapped. I decided, several years ago, that I would do all I could to help people leave feeling better than they did when they arrived. That is unlike the feelings I used to have because I almost always left feeling worse than when I got there, having healed from the beating I received at the last session of "going to church."

Strangely, as an edifier and exhorter, I myself always feel better. I have witnessed a group of engaged people being fed. One of my most thrilling moments comes when I see someone in the flock suddenly "get it" and the light comes on. Another one for Jesus!

Oddly, attendance is not a problem. People come to be uplifted, filled with wonder and expectation because of the power of the Word and the moving of the Spirit. They feel good about service rendered because it is voluntary not coerced. Most amazing of all, there are no sounds of discord or undercurrents of unhappiness rippling through the family.

Yes, I probably would still fight to stay awake in "church," but have no problem participating in worship!