2. It protects the church’s worship experience.
Our sacrifice of praise, if it is to be pleasing to God, must rise before Him in unity and love. We must cherish not only our time together, but the gift of joy, peace and love it brings with it.
I’m not suggesting people who complain are intentionally trying to hurt the unity of the church. I’m saying I don’t bring up our income taxes or any issues I have with my wife on date night.
There is a time for everything. If you have concerns, Sunday morning at 10 a.m. right as church is starting ain’t it.
3. It protects first-time or short-time guests.
It protects them from overhearing complaints or breathing in the foul air of dissension on a morning when unity, love and passion for God should be most evident.
Some time ago, I had to remove a pair of greeters (the kind that hand you a bulletin and say “Hi” as you arrive) before church because they were griping loudly about a perceived lack of cleanliness of the facility as people arrived for worship.
People arriving actually had to walk between them to get on site. They were loud and not ignorable to everyone arriving. I warned them kindly but firmly. They wouldn’t stop.
So, we replaced them. They later apologized and both went on to become excellent greeters.
4. It preserves the staff’s focus and frame of heart for the morning.
When the preacher, worship leader, elder, or whomever is pulled off-focus or newly discouraged from a complaint session (whether gentle or coarse), the impact will be felt. You would be amazed at the things people say to preachers right before they preach, worship leaders right before the first strum or hum.
If you have a complaint, you should know that you are highly unlikely to get a good hearing for your complaint on Sunday anyway. It would be much, much better to wait until people aren’t rushing around and can actually listen.
5. It vets complaints and thus helps people control their emotions and tongues.
Some people feel as though it is a virtue to say what’s on their mind—right then. It’s really not. Saying what’s on your mind is a virtue when you really need to do it. But, that’s not usually Sundays. If you are still mad about it on Monday, reach out. That will let you know whether or not it really bothers you and will respect the church’s gatherings. Don’t take hostages on Sunday morning. No drive-by or hit-and-run verbal attacks that discourage others. Half of complaints would never be uttered if people weren’t able to do it Sundays.
Imagine what Sundays could be like if the church, from leaders to guests, could punt concerns until Monday—focusing instead on encouragement and welcoming the outsider. What a difference that might make in our weekend gatherings.
Concerns aren’t unimportant. Sometimes, they just aren’t that important.
