Up Front and Down Home

"What would it hurt if every now and again a minister sat with his family on a Sunday morning?"

Nearly every Sunday for more than three decades, I went to church with my wife and two sons.  But I usually didn't worship with them — not really. You see, I was the senior pastor. 

When my older son, Brad, was a child, one day he asked me, "Dad, how come you never sit with us in church like all the other dads do?"

My answer seems hollow now: "Because I'm the pastor and I have to lead the worship service."

I'm sure it was okay to him, but as I reflect on my years of ministry, I see that I missed sharing some meaningful times of worship with my family. How about you?

Oh, I know what you might say: "Come on, H.B., we're up-front people. Our job is to lead, to make it happen."

Is it? Or, perhaps, we allow expectations — "the system" — to take us away from the privilege of worshiping with those we love. I hope not. Would it hurt if every now and again you sat with your family on a Sunday morning? It would be wonderful for your family and would send a powerful signal to those in your congregation who look to you for leadership. 

Leading or just "being in charge" can be a far cry from actual worship. I remember often being in my appointed place on the platform, watching ushers talk as visitors searched for a place to sit. And then there were those empty pews that were ordinarily filled with happy faces. Where were the Joneses today? I'd wonder. Is someone sick? Have they goneto another church? Or, as I looked over the bulletin, I'd see that a certain person was going to sing. He had never hit the high note in his life. Why should I expect him to hit it that day?

Do you get the picture? That wasn't worship! I was consumed with what was happening around me rather than with what God was doing in me. So, I started occasionally to sit in the front row with my back to the congregation. Then I could concentrate on worship. When it was time to deliver the sermon, I did so with a clear mind — because I had not been distracted, but had truly participated in worship. And, just as important, I had worshiped with my family.

Please don't think I've lost my senses, but I encourage you to just sit with your family some weekend. Become one of those who is lost in the wonder of genuine worship. While you're at it, take a look at the family beside you. What's that smile you see? It's only a happy bunch of people enjoying the company of one they love very much — you!

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise" (Ps. 100:4) and, on an occasional Sunday, do it with your family.

Comments

[Michael Doerr]

Thank you for the reminder that we all need to worship--to make an offering to God of our praise, our prayers, our time. As a pastor, I treasure the times I get to be with my family as we worship together.