Good question: Do you ever get to worship?

As we sat there talking about the youth of our church and the events to follow, Bryan brought up Sunday morning and what a good service we had at Farm­ville. He is our youth coordinator at the time and a good one.

As we exchanged thoughts he asked me perhaps one of the most thought-provoking questions I have been asked in a long time. I share it as I believe it has substance for staff members and lay people in any church.

“Do you ever get to worship? You seem to be so busy on Sunday morning.”

As director of education at Farm­ville Baptist Church in Opelika, thoughts of the previous Sunday morning and my busy work raced through my mind. To this young man I had given the impression that I got everything done, but was I in the frame of mind to worship?

I was impressed by the fact that he cared and most of all that worship to him on Sunday morning was fellowship with God and he wished that for me.

For staff members of a church, Sunday is perhaps the hardest day. I say this with all respect, as the following remarks come not just from me but from staff people I have been associated with all my life, having been married to a pastor for 48 years.

From the time you enter the doors of the church, one is consumed with preparation for a good day. I am sure most staff members spend time with the Lord all week long and especially on Sunday morning before the services. If not, I do not see how one makes it through the day. There is excitement about what God is going to do, the people you will come in contact with, what has gone on in their lives during the week, looking around for those not present and wondering about the circumstances that kept them away.

Life is full of learning, and I hope I continue to learn until God calls me home. So much of what we learn we glean from books, but I have found in my own life that people are walking textbooks.

So I have listened, watched and at this point in my life, find a sense of peace in knowing that when you do all you can do, that is all you can do.

Some staff people wait until the last minute to get things done. This works for them. Others end up a basket case and worship is hard, not only for them but for the lives they touch on Sunday morning. Bryan made me wonder if I caused others to be stressed out by my demeanor. I never wait until the last minute but perhaps I need a calmer spirit.

Members of a congregation should not wait until Sunday morning to bombard staff members with things that could be handled through the week by a phone call or a visit to the church. Sunday morning is not the time to discuss in-depth problems about Sunday School classes, committees, etc. Remember, that staff person is trying to minister to the whole church in a short time span. You are important, but a conversation cannot be given justice standing in the hall on Sunday morning.

Wait until Monday

Complaints are not in order on Sunday morning. Remember, that staff person does want to worship. If a member of the church wants to vent problems, wait until Monday morning and call the church office.

The same is true of staff people not discussing with teachers and other workers problems related to their areas of work on Sundays. One teacher from a church shared that the education director always found something to complain about on Sunday. By the time the teacher was to start teaching, his spirit was crushed.

Yes, Bryan, I do get the chance to worship on Sunday. A lot of wonderful people help to make it so — good preaching, good music and people who love one another and love the Lord.

But you have made me think and I hope others reading this will do likewise.

Staff and members alike set the tone of worship. I am at a church to do a job but I am there to help point others to God by my actions, to be kind and to be compassionate.

Thank you, Bryan Gill, that you cared about my spiritual life and as a young man were bold enough to confront me with the question, “Do you ever get to worship?” I do and will even more, thanks to you.