03.22. Decently and in Order
Decently and in Order The Public Meetings of the Assembly In discussing the conduct of public meetings of the church, the Apostle Paul ends with this admonition: "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). The NIV says to let them be done in a "fitting and orderly way." The NASB renders it, "properly and in an orderly manner."
Whatever the version, the meaning seems clear. The Spirit of God desires that our public meetings be such as to inspire a sense that “God is truly among you” (1 Corinthians 14:25). We need to consider the one who occupies the place of the uninformed" (NKJV 1 Corinthians 14:16), not just the initiated ones. Certainly we do not wish unbelievers to come in, observe our services and say, "You are out of your mind" (1 Corinthians 14:23). It is to be desired that "all things be done for edification" (1 Corinthians 14:26), not confusion or boredom.
It may not be apparent to us who are familiar with the ways in which we conduct public meetings of the church that others sometimes do not find things being done "decently and in order." They think that we appear to be disorganized, haphazard, and casual to the point of disrespect to the Lord and Savior we seek to honor. If we have as our goal the retention of those who visit our meetings, especially those who are serious about God, then we ought to consider how to improve things. In most instances, we cannot think of a Scripture that forbids such changes as we would suggest. However, 1 Corinthians 14:40 would seem to support the need for upgrading in a serious way how we do things.
Many disastrous occurrences or arrangements seem to be the product of a mindset which regards unplanned disorder and uncritical repetition as being somehow a matter of leaving it all to the Spirit. It. does not seem fair to blame God for the kind of things sometimes taking place. Another mistake is to assume that, in the name of giving opportunity for the development of gift, all the males of’ the assembly be given a turn at almost everything. This really ignores whether there is any indication that they have such gift. If we take seriously 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 and like passages, it should he evident that not all brethren are public preachers. song-leaders or chairmen by divinely-given aptitude. Perhaps they could better serve in the areas of helps, service, mercy and hospitality-where there is a great lack. In the interest of improving our public meetings. we offer the following checklist, which is only a partial one, for starters. Much could be said beyond these few suggestions.
Meetings
People come to church to sense the presence of God. Is this what is conveyed in your service? Or is it more like a luncheon club or public social hour? At times we sound like a convention of magpies.
Whether or not you consider the service to be devoted to "worship" -- there needs to be an atmosphere of reverence for God and awareness of Him when Scriptures are read or expounded and when prayer is made. A reverential atmosphere is maintained when we hold latecomers at the door during these parts of the service.
Get your audience in their seats and quiet (hopefully) at the starting time. Encourage this in your bulletin. Pre-service music may help. Example by “regulars" is important. Good ushering is essential.
Discourage wandering up and down the aisles during preaching and praying. Seat late comers at the rear, parents with small children, or those needing to visit the restroom frequently, to sit it the back, not at the front or in the middle of a row. The church service is not a bus terminal. It is amazing how wanderlust and physical "urgency" assault people in one brief hour on Sunday.
Prayer -- Scripture Reading
Pray to God as though He has heard your prayer and make it one that needs His favorable response. Remember that it was the Pharisee who "prayed thus with himself" (Luke 18:11). Make sure listeners can hear and join in thought. Be brief in prayer. Jesus condemned long public prayers, especially if they were to impress others.
Public Scripture readings also should be brief. People cannot retain and focus on too many thoughts or verses. Identify the main thought you are seeking to emphasize and relate it to the sermon to be preached.
Read the Word slowly, reverently, distinctly, with proper emphasis. The reader should look up at times to make eye contact with the audience. Have the people stand and listen with respect (Nehemiah 8:5). The effect can be electric.
Announcements
These should be distinct, easily heard, enthusiastic, warm, friendly. The announcer should wear a coat and tie. He should look at his audience when talking -- not at his notes
Know in advance the details, proper pronunciation of names, correct times, written on a single sheet -- NO last minute slips of paper, with indecipherable scribbling, should be accepted en route to the platform. Be brief -- brief -- brief! Use "handouts" at the door for details. Signup sheets should be made available after the service, not during it.
Don’t trivialize the service by trivial announcements.
Don’t repeat previous announcements of routine meeting times. Don’t read announcements already in the church bulletin. Refer the listeners to the bulletin.
Avoid jargon and in house’ phrases, referring to speakers as "Bill" or "Joe" when they are unknown to the visitors.
Introduce the speaker properly with warm enthusiasm. Use his full name, say something about him and his subject of ministry or sermon title. It is a discourtesy not to present a speaker properly to his audience.
Never use slang, such as referring to men as “guys” or inviting visitors to “hang around” after a meeting. or using other undignified language. Speak with what is called "class” or good platform manners.
Ushers
Choose warm, friendly people who can greet visitors or others in a gracious way, making them feel welcome. Don’t just assign people to handouts hymnbooks or bulletins. People sense when they are receiving a plastic smile and a mechanical handshake or greeting.
Guide people to their seats (true ushering), filling the front sections first. Rope off the back areas for late comers.
Wear a coat and tie--not casual dress.
Train those ushering in special sessions to emphasize how to improve their function. Have a regular, dependable crew who know what they are doing.
Music The song-leader should be the most gifted person for this role. Variety here is not “the spice of life” but apt to be "the joke of the week."
Hymns should never be picked out at the last minute, any more than the song-leader. Match the hymns with the message, where possible. Be sure the audience knows the hymns, or arrange to teach them one at a time. Please do not ask for favorites from the audience. Consider the effect when either the songleader or the audience does not know the song.
Use a fresh, contemporary, Scriptural, inspiring hymn or chorus from time to time. That will require a survey and screening process beforehand.
Coordinate hymns ahead of time with your accompanist (where used) so that there is no mix-up. Be careful in selecting soloists or groups for "special music." Not all of it is good. The service is not the community "amateur hour." Make sure dress is neat and appropriate. Verify arrangements in advance; inquire on needed sound equipment.
Reduce the "between hymns chatter" or commentary. Stick to the main task. The song-leader is not chosen to be a “funny man”, cheerleader, or preacher. Bring reverence as well as spiritual vitality to our singing. The Scottish people excel at this as they sing the Psalms. When preaching time must be abbreviated because of too many hymns or too many stanzas, there Is a miscarriage in proper emphasis. Fit the music into its agreed time frame.
Visitors It says something when visitors come once and never return. What it says is not good!
Warmth, friendliness, love, and a welcoming atmosphere are the chief characteristics noted by visitors. This often is more important than the sermon itself.
Please get visitors’ names, addresses, phone numbers, and the "contact" through whom they happened to visit. Make sure they are introduced to others. See that friendly people talk to them after the service.
Keep records of all visitors. Send a warm welcome letter and something about the assembly that is oriented to their needs or interest.
Call them on the telephone the same week they came. Visit in person as soon as possible. Invite them to a meal. Have a hospitality program for new comers, sporadic attendees and even neglected people in the assembly. Is your assembly a "private club" or is it genuinely open to newcomers? How do you show this? Have care for infants and smaller children at services. Let teams be varied so that all can hear the Word some of the time. Why let crying, restless children disturb the meeting for all? If mothers insist on bringing their children, seat them at the rear and encourage taking them out when they disturb the meeting. Is your building neat and well-maintained? Are your restrooms neat and clean? Is there an adequate, highly-visible, attractive sign out front which is lighted at night? Is the yard well maintained? Is the parking adequate? Can the members park away from the chapel and leave the near places for visitors? In Summary Have the people who are the most fitted for a particular job be the ones who do it. This is Scriptural. Give instructions, using written materials such as this to emphasize the proper way to do things. Seek constantly to upgrade all of your functions. Nothing is too good in the service of the King. Pray and plan ahead. This can be more “of the Spirit” than last minute “confusion worse confounded.” Glorify God in your public services. That should be your first priority.
O. J. Gibson