p. 7 | Tiresome Church Services by F. M. Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 5, 1912

Tiresome Church Services

By F. M. Wilcox

WHO is to blame when the church services are dull, uninteresting, and tiresome? This is the question raised by one of our readers. We suppose there might be a difference of opinion as to the true answer. From the viewpoint of the leader of the service, it might seem that the congregation was indifferent and unresponsive. The congregation might consider the leader dull and prosy. Possibly both pew and pulpit might be at fault in the matter, each contributing in some measure to the evil.

Much depends on the spirit with which one relates himself to the services of the church. A listless, indifferent attitude of mind, a critical, complaining spirit, a heart closed to divine influences,—one in this condition is not a very inspiring listener, to say the least. He would quite likely feel bored with the service, whether long or short. The preaching of an angel would appear prosy, and the harmonies of heaven prove disquieting. This class of people, if they would obtain help from the church service, and find in it a season of refreshing and blessing, must change their attitude. They need to seek God for his converting, reviving power in their hearts, and then attend the church service not to criticize and find fault, but to give and to receive help. With this attitude of mind, no matter how prosy the service, they will find some blessing to their souls.

There is another class of church attendants who bring to the service wearied bodies from the toil of the week, and, in consequence, dull minds. These find it difficult to arouse their perceptive faculties to the point where they can comprehend and grasp the thoughts presented by the leader of the service. The service is uninteresting, and its close brings relief to outraged nature crying for rest. This class as well have something to do in seeking to cooperate to make the church service a blessing. As far as possible they should find rest throughout the week, bringing to the Sabbath hour a mind at peace from business worries, and physical powers unwearied by excess of labor. The eating of a less amount of food on the Sabbath, when the physical powers are less actively engaged, will often contribute to clearer thought and greater mental activity.

There are other classes of churchgoers to whom the service does not largely appeal, who, by a change of mind or heart or habit or environment, would find that the difficulty after all was with themselves.

But we are constrained to believe that the fault is not wholly with the members of the congregation. Many times the leader is to blame, and his manner of conducting the service responsible for a prosy, wearisome meeting. Long sermons are usually prosy. Ordinarily a sermon forty-five minutes long is much more interesting and effective than one of an hour and a half. The reading of a short lesson, occupying ten minutes, accomplishes much more in reaching the heart than a lesson of half an hour. An exhortation of five or ten minutes by a church elder will prove a much better incentive to a live service than a rambling talk of thirty minutes. Many church elders and leaders make the mistake of trying to preach rather than to give point and inspiration and direction to the service.

The best service is secured by the spirit of mutual consideration and helpfulness. Earnestness and brevity and pointedness on the part of the leader, sympathetic interest and response on the part of the congregation,—this spirit of mutual labor and receptivity, with prayer for divine guidance, the exercise of Christian love and charity, will do much

to cover weaknesses and failures, and insure to all who thus engage in God's service the witness of the Spirit and the evidence of divine acceptance.

We should ever realize that in attending the church of God we have an appointment with our blessed Master, and go to meet not only with our brethren, but above all with the Lord Christ. He will keep his appointment. He will precede us to the place of meeting. He is the great leader of his church, and he will turn none away empty who seek him with sincerity of purpose. The service to others may appear dull, but to us his presence will make it as the gate to heaven.

F. M. W.