Sunday, April 15, 2007

Bottom Line

"I'm sorry, our nursery is at capacity. Here is a coloring book and some crayons, you'll need to take your son to service or wait for a spot to open up." This is how we were greeted at church as we attempted to register Jennifer's youngest son, Christian, for the nursery. The first time this happened, a few months ago, I'm thinking, "This is a fluke. This doesn't happen at Southeast." Wrong. I've come to find out this is a serious problem that ALL churches, regardless of size or location, are facing. More volunteer needs than volunteers to meet those needs.

And I have to be honest with you. I became increasingly frustrated Saturday night as I sat in worship with a 13 month old child (I don't know why he can't stay engaged during a 60 minute worship service. I mean Dave Stone is preaching for goodness sake. Doesn't he recognize good preaching when he hears it. What's wrong with the boy!), knowing that he was turned away because the vast majority of people choose to worship weekly but choose not to serve. They have no problem taking, but struggle giving of their time and energy.

Here's my wild and crazy thought. If all the parents who attend church on Sunday morning would work the nursery on Saturday night - problem solved. And vice versa - if all the Saturday worshipers, volunteered on Sunday, the body of Christ is blessed immensely!

Bottom line (pun intended): If you've committed your life to Jesus Christ and you attend His church regularly and yet you're NOT serving on a REGULAR basis, get off your bottom and do something in the name of the Lord. You're cheating the Lord and you're cheating others who could be blessed by your service.

Sorry if I sound a bit peeved. You should've talked to me last night:)

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

"And all God's people say AMEN"! People young, middle and old alike are too busy with all the world has to offer that most Sat. or Sunday worship hours they mentally fall into the pew and "Praise ME Lord, I made it here for you".

If our desire is truly to be like Jesus, His words were pretty straightforward...."just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.....Matt.20:28

Anonymous said...

And this goes for Antioch also! it is always same people who work in the nursery and toddler village...I think the parents whos children or in either toddler village or the nursery should volunteer at least once a month and give us regulars a chance to attend services..what do you think?
But then again, excuse me for saying this, but too many young children in service on Sunday especially with it being Evans first sermon...all you heard was parents going "shhhhhh"...and some of these were older children who should have been taught better..and KNOWN BETTER!

Anonymous said...

Can't we all just get along?

Candie said...

I think...no I know I'm as guilty as anyone else...not giving more time to the Lord's work. Sometimes I have all good intentions to serve, yet life (or rather I allow it to) gets in the way. Thanks for posting something about this Chad because what happened to you and others that evening is NOT what should happen ....EVER! Makes me think of how I can serve in a better way. Also, a special thank you to those who do take the time to serve the Lord in areas that are so incredibly needed. Please know that you are loved for what you do by the members of your congragation and especially blessed by God to have the ability to do so. Please pray for me that I may extend myself more toward helping God's church and God's people.

Anonymous said...

AS AN OLDER PERSON THAT HAS DONE
MY DUTY AS A TEACHER, NURSERY WORKER,AND BIBLE SCHOOL,I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF THE YOUNG PERSONS THAT
HAS THE CHILDREN SHOULD BE THE NURSERY WORKERS. HAVE A SCHEDULE SET UP AND LET THEM WORK IT. ALSO,
I THINK THAT KIDS ARE LEFT IN THE NURSERY TOO LONG AND SHOULD BE IN
THE MAIN SERVICE AND TAUGHT TO BE QUIET.NO COOKIES, COLORING BOOKS, TOYS EITHER.
THERE IS NO REVERENCE TODAY!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Just because we have served when we are young doesn't mean when we get older we should just stop helping out in God house. Everyone should be welling to work and serve the Lord in any way they can.

Anonymous said...

Good observations, Chad, I'm going to quote you on my blog. I think this illustrates a danger in us marketing the church as a consumer destination instead of as a life of discipleship. And sadly, Southeast is one of the few churches that gets it right in most cases! I can see the day when churches simply hire nursery workers to make for better "customer service".

Anonymous said...

I have a better one too add here, one Sunday while working in the nursery a lady bought her child in, I dont' her name ( too bad) but I said why dont you come down and work the nursery some sunday and her remark to me was Quote! I have him all week, someone else can take him on Sunday....Oh Well.

Lonnie said...

Anyone want to work the Toddlers or Nursery Ministry April 29th :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like AMCC need's Dr. Phil.

Anonymous said...

They don't need Dr.Phil..They have Lonnie Love

Anonymous said...

AMCC needs Dr. Phil??? I thought this happened at another church.

Anonymous said...

I can appreciate the idea of teaching children to behave and be reverent, but there are some ages that no matter the effort of the parents, developmentally speaking, it is not fair to expect a small child or a baby to sit still for the whole length of a worship service. Most of the parent's attention would be on the child and not on worshipping. I think every parent deserves one hour of uninterupted corporate worship in a week (if they are willing to do their part to serve the kingdom at some other time on a regular basis.) Ask Chad how easy it is to deliver a sermon with even a couple of disruptive small children in the sanctuary. :) In other words there are many far-reaching consequences of people not willing to serve and do their part.

Anonymous said...

Forget about Dr. Phil, call Jerry Springer make it really interesting......:)

Anonymous said...

The small child or baby can be cared for during worship. If the child isn't able to be calmed for the moment it is the caregivers response to step out and calm the child and return. It is the caregivers God commanded responsibility to keep their mind focused on coming back into focus as much as possible on worship. To say parents "deserve"their hour, is very selfish not Christ-like. Worship is sooo not about US! When Jesus the prophets and apostles preached I am sure there were enormous numbers of children in the audience. Let us all focus on what really is important to God. Worship in Spirit and in Truth. The caregiver can attend to the child and consistently re-focus back on worship.

Anonymous said...

I have a two year old son and I love him more than anything, but this does not mean I have the gift of dealing with a group of children. I have tried and will volunteer in a pinch. The day a church tells me that I HAVE to work the nursery because my child attends the nursery is the day I decide not to come back.

I would also like to stick up for the young ones. I have attended services where the children are well behaved while the women are chatty or filing their nails and the men are "resting their eyes" or "concentrating with their eyes closed."

Sorry...touchy subject.