Articles
In Defense of Removing Your Auditorium Clock
In Defense of Removing Your Auditorium Clock
Brian Ketchem
It is a joke that is as old as time (ha. ha.). The preacher is forever locked in an epic struggle with the clock at the back of the auditorium. Week in and week out, ministers combat the second-counting membership in an effort to get out on time. I understand, in part, why this is the case, especially in America; our culture is tightly bound to our clocks.
It may not surprise you that this is a highly cultural subject. People are less concerned about the clock in other places in the world. Some island countries have a reputation for being incredibly lax regarding any agreed meeting time. It makes me wonder how the first century was. And whenever we talk about time, church services, and the first century, one example immediately comes to mind. "And Paul continued his speech until midnight." (Acts 20:7).
While we might joke and laugh, but I want to tell you about a time when I wish the preacher would have gone to the proverbial midnight. We recently had our lectureship. On Sunday morning, during our worship hour, Dan Winkler spoke. He talked about our worship. He spoke about how our worship is a time to return to God our feelings about him and what he has done. He spoke about how worship is an expression of our heart turned towards God. He told us in no uncertain terms how worship is not about us and has everything to do with the almighty creator who is blessed forever, amen! At about this point, he said, "When you realize this is a time where you can express your feelings to God, why do you even want. to. leave."
Dan could have gone on as long as he wanted if I was in charge. He carefully explained God's word to me. We sang to God, we prayed to God, we took of the Lord's supper in remembrance of God. I am able to express myself to God every week, yet what has sometimes become of this meeting is an absolute travesty; we try to limit it to an hour.
Now, before I get too high and mighty, I have to admit I have been in sermons and services that I wish were over. But that attitude is on me. It's my fault that I didn't get my mind right before I came on Sunday morning. It's my fault if I am not engaged. I need to be more careful and diligent about what I bring before God because it is the one time a week that I will get to stand with my family and tell God how I feel about him. And, if I bring the right attitude into worship this Sunday, I won't ever need the auditorium clock again.
