Joy Comes When Others Care

At the Church where I attend services on Sunday we have seen a fundamental shift in thinking. No one talked about it before hand, and it would seem no one is talking about it now. But being a rather questioning guy, I seldom let the Pastor get by with making a change which I do not challenge.

We have always had our “Welcome Time” (when people greet each other and our guests) early on in the service ostensibly to get that part out of the way so we could get on to the “more serious” stuff. Then, suddenly, one Sunday, the Worship Folder announces that Welcome Time has been moved to much later in the service and is followed by the offering and Prayer Time/Care Time.

Since I missed the verbal explanation (or it never came, one or the other) I finally asked the “guy in charge” why would we do that. So he begin to give me this “song and dance” about how much it means to people to be greeted by others with enthusiasm, genuine care, and happy, carefree excitement that we have all gathered in this place to Worship, learn, grow, and share our lives. He said he thinks it may be an important part of the Worship experience. . .far more than an exercise to make sure no one feels unimportant. He said Worship is partly about our “serving” the Lord God of Heaven, and there are few better ways to serve than caring about the Savior’s sheep. The sheep have gathered so that the under-Shepherd can by the exposition of Truth protect them from the Enemy, feed them with the living bread, and give opportunity for the Spirit to use that Truth delivered to build them up in the faith, continue the maturation process, and keep them moving toward conformity to the Savior. What better time is there than just before that message is delivered to tell people how excited we are to see them involved, how happy we are to be together, and with joy collectively receive the knowledge that we are vital to this hour’s experience.

We come together for several things, obviously. One that is not less important is helping to make each other know we are family. . .the family of God.