Filed under: leadership, people, relationships | Tags: contemporary worship, david herndon, tables, worship leading
In my church I’m responsible for one of three worship services that take place each Sunday morning. Our service is a little more relaxed and casual than most, and for a very long time our chairs were in row form. This summer we had a few different things happening that caused the need to have tables set up, which is a little different for a worship service on Sunday morning. Now, I’m sure that there are churches all over the world who use tables during their worship service, but for me this was a little different.
My main job during worship is music. I like music. I like prayer and studying God’s word and fellowshipping with others, but music is my main connection to God. Honestly, a part of me could not wait for the summer to be over so that we could go back to normal – ditch the tables and go back to sitting in rows. My main motivation here is that I assume it feels awkward to stand at a table while you sing songs. I make this assumption because for me, it would be awkward to stand at a table while I sing songs. Surely everyone is as uncomfortable as I would be, right?
At the end of the summer several people started asking me, “Are we keeping the tables?” And several times I said, “No, we’re going back to rows.” I assume they asked because, like me, the didn’t want the tables anymore. Finally, one member spoke up a little more after my response – “Don’t get rid of the tables. I like the tables.” This almost baffled me because it went against everything I assumed. You like the tables? Why?
I listened as he shared, and then I went back to others who had asked about the tables before. I discovered they were asking because they too liked the tables. I discovered that when they sit at tables our members feel more connected to each other, which ultimately enhances their overall worship experience. Not to mention they have somewhere to rest their coffee cups. ”Isn’t it awkward when we stand up to sing?” I asked. ”Not really,” they replied, “after all, that’s only a small part of the service.”
And there was the rub. I was only viewing things from my perspective and my preference. And in my blindness I almost committed a huge disservice to the people I am called to minister to.
So the tables remain, only now they don’t feel so awkward to me. I don’t dislike the tables anymore. I embrace the tables. And each Sunday as I look out on the crowd as we sing songs to God, I can’t help but be overjoyed to know that people feel connected to Him and to each other and it has absolutely nothing to do with me.
Who knew a table could be so powerful?
Try to see things from other peoples’ perspectives today. It could change everything.
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