What Do Visitors See In Me?
by Larry Ray Hafley
I Corinthians 11:18-20; “For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part, I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, in order that those who are approved may have become evident among you. Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper.”
I Corinthians 14:40; “But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner.”
Nehemiah 8:2-3, 5-6; “Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law … And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen!’ while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”
When we are assembled to worship the Lord, to study the Bible, to remember and show the Lord’s death, what do our visitors see in me?
Do they see someone who is totally bored and uninterested in what is going on? If so, what is likely to be the level of their interest? At the very least, my apathetic attitude is likely to have a negative impact on their concept of the cause of Christ. Therefore, I must take heed to myself. I must strive to be a good listener. I must pay attention and not allow myself to become distracted.
Do they see someone who is sleeping through services? What does it tell a visitor about the seriousness of our assembly if some adults sleep through services? Age (both the very young and the elderly) and medicine may make one susceptible to sleep. So also may those faithful ones who work all night and then, with dogged determination, come on to services and try their best to concentrate on spiritual matters. We can excuse such folks, believing that the Lord does, too. However, do some of our people, especially older children, sleep during worship because they have stayed up too late on Saturday night? Parents, if we make our children go to bed earlier during the week because “it’s a school night,” why not see that they get their rest on Saturday because it is a “church night”?
Do they see someone laughing, whispering, passing notes, or playing with babies seated nearby? Our little ones, especially our grandchildren, are almost irresistible! At times, they demand our attention and care, even during worship. May God bless young parents, especially our devoted young mothers, who are during their best to worship while attempting to “subdue” a restless child and train a soul for heaven! Those things we understand. But, do visitors see me focused on everything except God and his word? Do they see me distracting others? Do they see me not paying attention to the gospel, but idly looking around at every other person in the auditorium? If so, what impression does this make on their soul? It cannot be a good one.
Do they see young folks getting up, walking around, going to the drinking fountain, and the bathroom? Obviously, we know there are times when one must exit during a service. Aging joints and aching backs force some to getup and move around. Again, the Lord knows and patient brethren understand. However, at an early age, youngsters need to be taught to get a drink and go to the rest room during the break between services. Unless there is a particular health problem, most youngsters can sit for an hour without a drink and without having to get up and go to the bathroom. They need to be trained to do so.
Our young mothers do not disturb services when they take their little children out. Indeed, they may do so if they do not! So, we are not discussing little ones who need to be disciplined or who need extra care. We are speaking of those who wander in and out of services because they have not been taught to sit up, pay attention, and act like a young lady or a young man. Are children allowed to get up and get a drink and go to the bathroom during a wedding or a funeral service? No, because we know it is not polite and that it will disturb the ceremony. Then, why not have the same respect for the worship of our Lord and for the study of his word?