It was a bit of a different meeting.
I had to speak out about late comers and what goes on in the time that we are together.
You see, to me this is a very serious business. We are talking about eternal issues here and as such I think they do deserve a bit more respect.
Now folk are starting to come later and later and then still want to walk around and chat.
We are supposed to get going by 07h00, but invariably we start at 7h10, and today we started at 7h20, which is a problem because some people are on tight schedules. It is also rude to those who make the effort to get there on time.
The most important aspect though is ‘What are we actualy getting together for?’
So, I told folk that we must start on time.
If you want to chat then come earlier. But also consider this: If you merely want to talk about the weather, the football, racing or your latest knitting prject, then rather go visit that person in their home if it is so important that you need to tell them as soon as you can.
I think that our conversation, coming into a meeting of the Church should be on spiritual issues.
Share what God has or has not done for you this past week.
Share what your needs are.
Enquire about the other persons spiritual journey that past week and seek opportunities for prayer.
I am also going ot start the meetings with a 5 minute period where we are to reflect upon our past week, clear up any outstanding issues with God and most importantly, ask God to come join the meeting!
If we are merely gathering to run thru a program of, Opening Prayer, sing a few songs, listen to a lecture, ask a few questions, eat breakfast, go home – well then quite frankly, go to a normal institutional meeting.
I want our meetings to be about meeting God – Because if God does not come in to the meeting then we might as well go home!
Yes, we will have a time for singing, however, you can only request a song if you are prepared to inform us as to why you want to sing a particular song – there must be some relevance to it and it can not be purely because it has a good beat to it!
I think this is crucial in any meeting of the Saints – God must be there, by invitation, and the meeting must be to learn more of God. To that end we also need to be asking God even more as to what format He wants todays meeting to run on.
So often we have a meeting but give no opportunity for God to speak – waste of time!
It is so easy to fall into a rut and I do not think that God is anything to do with ruts!
