04.07.08
We never start church on time
Our Sunday morning service starts at 11 AM. Well, it’s supposed to start at 11 AM. Yesterday I looked at the clock and around 11:30 we were sort of starting to think about getting things started. I used to get kind of annoyed by this. Italians are definitely less punctual than Americans, but not excessively so. Why is it that every week it was such a struggle to start at 11 AM?
And yesterday, I got it. As people arrive and start kissing and hugging and greeting one another, the noise level in the room grows. There’s laughter. There’s catching up. Yesterday there was even some crying as though people couldn’t wait to get in the door to unload. This place, or more accurately, these people, are a refuge from the day to day grind. So in a way “church” does start at 11:00. The part of church where people take care of each other. The singing and the preaching …. well, we get around to it eventually. It doesn’t make us lazy or sloppy or mean we don’t know how to tell time. I think it means we know what is important and what people really need more of.
John said,
04.07.08 at 6:24 am
Great post, as always I enjoy the Brian take on it. I can see the front row blue hairs having a hissy already! If church starts late that means lunch comes late preacher! I personally love the mingling and as the Roterts know I have a phobia of crowds, they give me panick attacks. I am not kidding. But if I know the crowd I am far better off and relaxed, so I mingle and ask questions. But, sometimes in my intial nervousness I ask the dumbest questions like, “Martha, you didn’t make it to the salon this week did you?” or “Joe, was that your truck I saw pulled over yesterday and who was that lady in the passanger seat?”
Sheyenne said,
04.08.08 at 3:22 pm
I think you Italians may be on to something…. I wish our church was MORE like that! Hmmm…. church… a refuge? a place to unload and find peace? What a concept.
How’s the fam?
jp said,
04.13.08 at 1:34 am
Wow, your last three posts or so are showing the pastoral side of Brian - keep it up! I’m so glad you have seen this and you worded it so well here. Bravo.
Jason said,
04.18.08 at 6:46 am
Amen. The situation you’re describing reminds me of something I read once…I think it was called “Acts”.
David Knapp said,
05.05.08 at 8:40 am
Well said! I like that the service is more about being a family than checking items off the list. One of the items at the service I attend is shaking hands at about 15 minutes into the service. It seems so mechanical. If we took the time before the service “starts” it is just much more personal.