Return of the Real Live Preacher

Real Live Preacher is back online after a month hiatus, and he has some great thoughts on worship. I'd encourage you to check the whole thing out, but here's a little snippet to whet your appetite...

Church can be a little messy when the children take up the offering. I remember when a little girl named Natalie did this for the first time. Instead of handing the plate to the person at the end of the aisle, she went into the aisle itself and stood in front of each person, waiting for them to make a donation. The third person along didn’t have anything to give. Natalie stood there looking at him. He shrugged and shook his head. She looked down at her plate, then back at him with a puzzled expression. Finally someone from the row behind handed him a dollar, and he dropped it in.

Natalie’s mother, somewhat anxious and embarrassed, stood up and got her daughter’s attention by whispering and waving. She jerked her head sideways and made little “scoot along” gestures, but Natalie had no idea what she was talking about, so she continued to stand in front of every person and wait for them to give something.

There was some tittering and quiet laughter, then a general panic as people started clawing through their purses and pockets looking for spare change and bills. Those who had extra shared with those who had none, rather like the early church in the second chapter of Acts. In the end everyone managed to find something to drop in the plate.

Click here for the rest of the article...

The point which he goes on to develop is that children introduce an element of disorder into the worship, but that disorder can actually bring a greater authenticity to the whole experience. Great comments, definitely worth reading on this fine Sunday afternoon...