Conducting the Sabbath Services

THE Sabbath services are among the most important occasions that arise during a week. They afford precious opportunities for Bible study, fellowship, and worship, and everything possible should be done to make these services as attractive and helpful as possible. Still, all too frequently they leave much to be desired. . .

THE Sabbath services are among the most important occasions that arise during a week. They afford precious opportunities for Bible study, fellowship, and worship, and everything possible should be done to make these services as attractive and helpful as possible. Still, all too frequently they leave much to be desired. Speaking particularly of the worship service, Mrs. White has said, "We do not obtain a hundredth part of the blessing we should obtain from assembling together to worship God." Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 362.

This is a very serious indictment. The pastor is primarily responsible for the way these services are conducted, but there are many times when he is meeting with another church in the district and cannot be present; then the local elder becomes the responsible leader. This is a function which should be taken very much to heart. Please, brother elder, do what you can in counsel with the pastor to see mat the Sabbath school, the lay activities service, and the worship service are conducted in such a way as to be pleasing to God and the greatest possible blessing to all who attend.

Not long ago on a Monday morning a young lady spoke to me in great distress of the experience that had come to her the Sabbath just past. She had gone to spend the weekend with some non-Adventist relatives with the ardent hope that they would attend the local Seventh-day Adventist church with her on the Sabbath. They did, and that is what caused the dis tress. The services, from beginning to end, had been conducted in such a loose, irreverent manner as to cause nothing but embarrassment. She had hoped that by at tending once they would be encouraged to attend again. Now she didn't have the heart to even suggest that they return.

A very dear brother whom I had had the pleasure of helping to lead into the church had a similar experience. He and his wife had gone back to be with his family in their hometown where they had lived before becoming Adventists. On Sabbath they attended the church with the thought that after they had become acquainted, they would invite his family to go with them on a future Sabbath. Reporting to me on the cold reception he and his wife received and the irreverent and meaning less way in which the service was con ducted, he said, "I certainly will never invite those dear ones of mine to attend there until some changes are made."

These are not isolated examples. How the angels must weep at the careless way some of our services are conducted. We will never know how many guests are led by the spirit of the Lord to our services, only to leave disheartened, perhaps never to return.

Time for a Change

One of the greatest contributions the local elder can make toward the church is to use his influence and office to help bring about any necessary changes. Take a pad with you to the services next Sabbath. Be at the church a half hour before Sabbath school begins. Observe carefully what happens. Write down suggestions that will improve the atmosphere and effectiveness of the program, especially keeping in mind the strangers who may be present. Here are some of the things you might well consider:

1. Is the physical appearance of the church, both within and without, some thing to be proud of? Are magazines, books, and supplies properly stored away or are they lying around on the back pews? Are the chairs and hymnals, flowers or plants, all neatly arranged and in their proper places?

2. Are folks properly welcomed and received as they enter the church? Does the host or hostess present a pleasing and winning appearance?

3. Does the Sabbath school begin on time? Are visitors welcomed? Is the program properly organized and conducted? If a microphone is used, is it turned on and the volume adjusted? Is a responsible person looking after lighting and heating so as to assure everyone's comfort?

4. Is there a homey, friendly atmosphere, and at the same time a sense of reverence?

5. When the Sabbath school separates for its various classes does the superintendent explain carefully about the classes or are strangers left confused, wondering where they are to go?

6. Are guests kept in mind in the way the lay activities service is conducted and the announcements made?

7. Can the participants be heard?

8. Is the singing done in the true spirit of praise and dedication?

9. Do those on the rostrum present a neat and alert appearance?

10. Following the worship service is there an orderly departure from the interior of the sanctuary, with the visiting left for the foyer or outside?

These are just a few of the factors that go into making a Sabbath morning at the church an enjoyable and truly spiritually uplifting experience. But you ask, Is it my job as local elder to look after all of that? Am I to run the Sabbath school superintendent's program? Am I to do the deacon's work? Am I the janitor?

An Important Responsibility

No, of course not. But along with the pastor, you are to have a concern for the over-all program. In the absence of the pastor you have a double responsibility to see that everything functions well. Attendance at every service should be a meaningful experience. A visitor dropping in unexpectedly should go away with a desire to return again and again.

This doesn't mean that every officer or participant needs a college degree, or must have a professional bearing, or be trained in public speaking. Not at all. But it does mean that each person should be so in love with his church and be so eager to have even the smallest functions accomplished in the best possible way that he will strive earnestly with the help of God to do his best. He will be punctual, neat, friendly, and dependable. He will take seriously every assignment, great or small. He will do what he can to generate the true spirit of Christian brotherhood.

In all of this the elder can help by first setting a good example, and then by encouraging such an attitude and spirit on the part of others. The pastor will be most appreciative of your support in this needy area. No matter how well things are now being done, there is always room for improvement. Next Sabbath and every Sabbath thereafter, keep your ears and eyes open to what some of these improvements might be. Discuss them with the pas tor and give him your assurance that when he is away the entire program will run as smoothly as when he is present.

My prayer: Dear Lord. I thank Thee for the church and far the wonderful privilege of worship and Christian fellow ship. Forgive us where we have taken these blessings too much for granted and have become complacent or careless in the way we have met with Thee in Thy house. Help us to do better. May each service be conducted in such a way as to be a genuine spiritual blessing to all present. Give me wisdom to know how I can best be used of Thee to help make this a reality. Amen.


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August 1971

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