It was a beautiful spring morning and people were trickling in just before the late service began at New Heights Christian Church. Josalyn, a relatively new Christian, caught sight of David as he walked through the back door of the church. They had dated three times, all within just the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately David had decided that Josalyn really wasn’t the person with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life, so he ended the relationship. Josalyn, on the other hand, had enjoyed their times together. She had begun to think that David would be a good catch. But now she was miffed. What a slug, she thought. I can’t believe he’s got the nerve to still come to church. She dramatically turned in her seat and faced the opposite direction.
Sonya and Bill sat just one row back but further over on the same side of the church as Josalyn. “Look at that dress Josalyn is wearing,” whispered Sonya with a tone of disgust. “No, better yet, don’t look. It is much too tight for her to be wearing to church. She needs to get a clue.”
“Where is she?” whispered Bill as he suddenly looked around.
“Never mind,” snapped his wife.
Elmer and Gloria sat in the very back pew on the left, the same place they had sat every Sunday for the past forty-seven years. “If that kid starts banging on those drums again, I’m leaving,” whispered Elmer, loudly enough for those around him to hear. “I’ve about had it with that music.” No one was quite sure if Elmer wanted others to hear, or if it was just because Gloria didn’t have her hearing aid turned up again.
Teenage friends, Ben and Sam, sat two-thirds of the way back on the right near the side door. They were uncharacteristically quiet this particular morning. Quiet, that is, until an overweight, elderly woman waddled down the main aisle. Ben nearly laughed out loud as Sam stood and began to imitate her walk. Fortunately, she didn’t see him, and a few sharp looks from those seated nearby put an end to the episode. Sam sat, but he and Ben continued their laughter. Worse, they murmured criticisms of others back and forth throughout the entire service.
Robert, a bank auditor by profession, sat alone on the opposite side. Robert—“Mr. Detail” his friends called him—knew that in the past two years, Pastor Perkins’ sermons had gone from twenty-three per cent Scripture to just fifteen per cent. The pastor still used Scripture, but he used fewer actual verses and spent more time expounding on the verses he used. No matter though. From Robert’s perspective an eight per cent drop in the amount of God’s Word used was inexcusable. He checked his stop watches one more time to be sure he was ready for the sermon. He wanted to make certain he had complete and accurate information for the voter’s meeting next Thursday night.
Just then Anne walked in with the baby in her arms and her other five straggling along behind. The shabby dress of all seven of them spoke volumes about their financial situation. Rhonda leaned toward her husband and whispered, “Why does Anne always wear that same old dress week after week? She needs to get herself a better job…or maybe a new husband. He must be a real jerk. Have you ever seen him? Just look at all those kids. Margaret Schultz told me that they...” Rhonda went on for quite some time. Her husband just kept nodding and smiling, though he paid little attention to anything she said. Ever.
One of the ushers that day was a tall, muscular, handsome man named Zach. As he escorted beautiful—and eligible—Cynthia to her seat, Zach gently put his hand on her shoulder and confided, “Be ready. The pastor is really long-winded this morning.” He shook his head as though in total disbelief. “The sermon took almost 26 minutes in the first service. I thought he’d never get done.” Cynthia smiled coyly at Zach and thanked him for the information as she sat down near the end of the pew.
“Why does Zach always escort Cynthia to her seat?” asked Jane as she watched. “He’s never once offered to escort me to my seat.”
Her husband Jim looked at her curiously. In a low voice he asked, “Do I really need to answer that question?” He paused, then continued, “You’re probably twenty years older than her, and…” Jim rolled his eyes as if stating the obvious, “she’s single.” Jim stared at his wife as though he was amazed that Jane didn’t understand this. “Besides,” he continued, “why would you want him to escort you to your seat?”
“I just…” Anything else Jane said was drowned out by the opening notes of the organ prelude.
As the music began, each of the members quickly glanced through the bulletin, checking the songs and other information about the service. They all dutifully noted the sermon title, “Love One Another,” but, interestingly, each person had the same reaction: Why can’t Pastor Perkins find something else to talk about? We have certainly heard that theme enough.
Here’s the question: As the Lord views this scene from His perspective, what does He think? Is this an atmosphere conducive to worship? If you were God, would you want to be in the midst of such bickering and rivalry? Would you condone such negative attitudes and gossip? Are these godly characteristics?
When the people looked at the sermon title, “Love One Another,” and thought, We have heard that theme enough, perhaps if they actually listened closely, they might have heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “Maybe you have heard it, but you have not done it.”
You see, from God’s vantage point, the too-often missing element of worship is love for one another.
===============================================================
This article is the opening segment of Tom Kraeuter’s new book, The Missing Element of Worship. If you enjoyed this short segment, you’ll love the rest of the book!
When it comes to the topic of worship, Tom is one of the most respected teachers in the body of Christ today. His Worship Seminars are held all across North America. For more information on any of Tom’s books or seminars, contact Training Resources, 8929 Old LeMay Ferry Road, Hillsboro, MO 63050, 636-789-4522, staff@training-resources.org, or www.WorshipSeminar.com