In God’s House

Worshiping and serving in the Decatur SDA church has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. The members are earnest and want to do God’s will, seeking for revival. With a true revival comes reformation, a return to primitive godliness. Encouraging and praying for one another and holding each other “accountable” is all part of the process.

I would like to share with my church family some thoughts I have had about reverence in the church, the place we come to meet with God and worship together. I have attended the SDA church all my life, and I have seen some changes during the last 50 years. I know that time brings changes, but right remains right and wrong remains wrong. A casualness seems to have crept in, relaxed standards, if you will. I remember when we could not walk into the sanctuary whenever we pleased. If we were not sitting when the service began, we waited behind closed doors until a deacon would open the door and point us to empty seats. Never would we enter when someone up front was speaking or during prayer. It would be while people were standing and singing, or between speakers. There was order and a sense of solemnity in the church. This was done during Sabbath School too. We learned to be on time, or miss part of the service, and be embarrassed too.

Another thing that I have noticed is that food and drink have found their way into the church. As a child, when I left my Sabbath School class, my mother ushered me into the bathroom and had me stop at the water fountain, because once we were seated in church, I knew there was no leaving. Never was food given to me. It is only a 1-1/2 hour service. Surely young and old can go that long without food and water. More and more people are taking their water bottles into religious services. Imagine everyone with a water bottle, drinking at different times all through the service. How distracting from the message would that be?? May I make a suggestion? Drink 2 glasses of water when you get up in the morning. Drink another 1-2 glasses before leaving home, or on your way to church (at least 1 hour after breakfast), bring a water bottle with you and leave it in your car, or in the foyer. Between Sabbath School and church you could drink from your water bottle. If needed you can drink more right after church, it is usually at least ½ hour before you will be eating dinner. It takes planning, but with repetition it can become a good habit. Consider this. My friend was recently in a courtroom, and a sign outside the door warned those who entered not to bring any food or beverages into the room. Specific areas of dress were also outlined (no sleeveless or short skirts…).

Coming to worship God is a privilege and highlight of the week. Wearing our best to honor and respect Him is our duty and joy. Not to draw attention to ourselves, expensive clothes are not necessary, just our best, for Jesus. be pure within and without.

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Last modified: 04/25/05