Two Sundays in a row now, the male half of my home church's ministry team had led worship, but I'm not convinced a proper act of worship on either occasion. Yes, we had all the components - hymns, prayers, bible readings, children's address, a "sermon" - yet I didn't feel I was worshiping God, but listening to reports and rants. Let me explain...
Last Sunday, the minister told us of things which had happened at General Assembly. Yes, it's good congregations are told what goes on there and made aware of the (potential) impact on them, whether short or long term. But there are much better and more appropriate channels to do that. A post on the church website and an article for the magazine, for example.
Yesterday, he talked about the Israeli attack on the aid flotilla. It almost felt as though he "twisted" the lectionary to talk about this issue. Again, I feel passionately about this subject, so it's not apathy or lack of understanding which may have clouded my view. With this matter, I just don't feel he approached the matter very well, which made the service seem disjointed. Usually the children's address is a good opener and link into the rest of the service. Yesterday, that was not the case.
Tellingly, Spot asked what I'd got out of the service. I told him the hymns were good, but nothing really. Not a good sign. Worse, though, Spot actually fell asleep during the service. That's really not like him, especially as he was also running the projector.
Now, I wonder if I should approach the minister about this? I know there's got to be a way where he can challenge and inform the congregation about important matters, locally, nationally and internationally, but still led worship rather than just rant or inform. Maybe I should persuade him to set up a blog for matters like this, with a link from the church website? One thing I do know is he likes constructive criticism and will listen to it. I just hope it's not just Spot and I who feel like this and, if I do talk to the minister about this, I am speaking for the congregation.
In my defence, it was a roasting day, and despite this someone had decided that the heating was absolutely essential (why???). Couple that to a bad night and a dose of anti-histamines, and I was in no state to stay awake!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I didn't doze of through the sermon itself - I'd ran off to find some paper towels!