Joyless or Joyful

Hard candies are the infinity stones of church. You can hear that wrapper crinkling all over the sanctuary. Nosey Rosie turns around and gives you the stank eye for making noise in church. In a small Southern Baptist church, making noise would either get you pinched or switched. You might also be threatened with a switch when you got home. Children only. The rules did not apply to adults.

I have so many memories of getting bubble gum from the shirt pocket of one of the deacons—a stick of Juicy Fruit from Ms. Betty or Ms. Ruby. That gum was fossilized, buried deep in the dark crevices of a holy handbag, sometimes with a little dirt on it. But it sure was good.

Infants through age four were kept in the nursery. There was no such thing as children’s church when I was coming along. The sanctuary was where I went. I believe that’s where my love for old, traditional hymns—played on piano and organ—was born. Those country church choir songs just felt good, and I still love them today.

We used to have pinning services for perfect attendance. One teenager had seventeen years of perfect attendance. What an accomplishment. We had around 100 faithful attendees regularly. Of course, the Creasters came out for Easter and Christmas, but all in all, we had good crowds back then.

So what in the world happened?

Now there’s trash left in the sanctuary. People act like they’re sitting in the coffee house of He-Brews, social networking in a live session. I agree—it’s wonderful to have children in the sanctuary. But if they are screamers, please exit stage left to the nursery. A holy and sacred moment for someone in need can be ruined by Little Johnny’s fit of rage over an ink pen.

The women who work in church nurseries are the sweetest people you will ever meet. They are also the squishiest. I promise they will love your babies. Take a break. Get fed the daily bread. Have a Sunday reset.

Sing the old hymns and incorporate newer songs—biblically sound ones, of course—into the service. Be thankful, and don’t complain about the singers, musicians, or directors. If it’s not to your liking or doesn’t sound good, get up and volunteer for the choir. I’m sure they would welcome your Whitney Houston voice.

There are 52 Sundays and 52 Wednesdays in a year. You don’t have to wait for Easter, Christmas, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day to go.

Times have changed, and the church has been pushed to the back burner on the stove of life. Priorities are skewed, and it’s time for a reset. The things that worked years ago worked for a reason. People were faithful in worship, faithful in attendance, mindful of the sacred service, and they sang true hymns of praise.

The gospel hasn’t changed and never will. It does not conform to what we think it should be. Yet the way it’s delivered is being watered down to appease the easily offended.

Keeping It Real

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world. Instead, be transformed by the renewal of your mind. By testing, you may discern what is the will of God—what is good, acceptable, and perfect.

Deuteronomy 4:2
You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it. This ensures you keep the commandments of the Lord your God.

Keep It Clean

Ephesians 5:26–27
Christ loved the church to make it holy, cleansing it by the washing with water through the word, to present it to Himself as a radiant church—without stain or wrinkle.

Bring the Babies, Keep Them Quiet

1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

Sing It Loud

Ephesians 5:19–20
Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father.

Be There or Be Square

Hebrews 10:24–25
Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. Do not neglect meeting together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another as the Day draws near.