Look at the picture above. I want y’all to notice a couple things about this picture: notice how many folk are there and how few of seats are empty. Something I observed Sabbath at the Saddleback Church was that people were there early and how few people came in late. If folk wanted to be there, then they were there are on time! Not 10 minutes late or 20 or even 30, but on time! This observation obviously forced me to face the reality that this is not what happens in my church. Maybe not in your’s either? So why not? Is this an indictment against our members or against our worship services? Or maybe both?
Some questions to think on:
Do people not come on time because what takes place at the beginning of our worship services is not worth being there for? I have heard myself say, “everything is a part of worship so people need to be there.” That is a really DUMB statement! Just because we planned it, doesn’t make it worth anything and us planning something doesn’t make it divine worship either.
Do people not come on time because of their own Spiritual apathy? Church is not of priority enough in people’s lives for them to make sure they are on time, like they would be for work or school or a movie? Would this mean that the folk at Saddleback have their Spiritual priorities more in line than we do?
Do people not come on time because of the actual TIME we have our worship service? Saddlebacks service started at 4:30 p.m.. There is nothing sacred about the 11 o’clock hour yet we have made it a sacred cow that if anyone touches they are chastised and sent out to be shot. Should we rethink our start times for worship, would there be something that would be more conducive for families and more importantly for those we are trying to reach?
Do people not come on time because our worship services are to convoluted? Do we need to simplify and only focus on the necessary? I noticed that Saddlebacks service was very simple. 1 song, announcements, 2 songs, sermon, prayer, dismiss. It wasn’t that the service was short. Pastor Rick spoke still for 45-50 minutes, but the service seemed very simple.
I would love your honest and frank perspectives on this!
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Chad, I really like what you’re doing here…thanks! It’s awesome to have some "coverage" on the west coast and someone writing about cool things happening. You have a lot to share, and your observations are really good.It was quite interesting to read how "little" greeters they had, respective to their size. But, like you say, it’s because they can place them in strategic locations. Fascinating.
It is human nature. Our lives are packed with STUFF we are trying to accomplish. Life needs to be more simple so we can focus on the highest of priorities. I have the same frustration with employees and meetings. I often will positivly re-inforce the early arrivers with praise and prizes. It is disrespectful to arrive late. I resolve to be more timely in all things.Thanks for the nudge!
I like the series! I’ve been meaning to get over to Saddleback, but you are asking some very relevant questions. Many within our denomination see questioning institutional things like Divine Hour or the church litany as blasphemous, but if we would look at our church service as a missionary endeavor and put some more intentionality to our worship and meeting times, I don’t think we would be too far off what you’re seeing at Saddleback. Pray that we will regain the missionary spirit in the local church.
Hello Pastor Chad. Angela and Mark Eller attend your church. I am Angela’s ‘little Lutheran sister’ and visit occasionally. Your comments regarding Saddleback are somewhat similar to mine. YEs, they are very informal, almost too informal for my taste. They have a campus and I attended on a Saturday evening. IT’S HUGE AND RESEMBLES DISNELYLAND FOR EVANGELICALS. SincerelyMiriam Gaenicke
Miriam,Thanks for your comment! And I love Lutheran’s…y’all introduced the rest of us to GRACE! Praise the Lord and thank you. When you come to visit Angela please introduce yourself!Blessings,Chad