The manner in which we worship God reflects the importance we place on our service to Him. Most Christians spend four to five hours per week in the worship service assembly. We realize that a Christian worships God daily through prayer, bible study, etc. However, the worship service assembly is a special time when saints assemble for the specific purpose of worshiping God. The first day of the week is a commanded time of worship. We also have many Biblical examples of the church meeting frequently throughout the week.

In John 4:24, we are told: "God is a spirit, and those who worship Him must worship him in spirit and truth." In I Corinthians 14:40, Paul says: "But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner." From these two passages, we conclude that the worship assembly is to be a time of reverential worship of God.

When we worship, it is important that we participate in the congregation's collective worship of God. We also need to make sure we do not allow ourselves to be a distraction to others while they attempt to worship God.

Whenever a large group of people gathers together, there are always going to be some problems. Many do things out of ignorance. Others are just rude and inconsiderate. I would like to take a few moments to discuss some common problems congregations experience during their worship service assemblies.

Infrequent Worshiper
Unfortunately, there are many, so-called, Christians who do not see the importance of attending the worship services regularly. These are the people who attend whenever they take a notion--when they have nothing better to do. Tragically, this type of worshiper never experiences the great joy that comes from worshiping God. This type of person goes through life spiritually unfulfilled, never knowing why!

To achieve anything worthwhile in life, a person must understand the importance of consistency. A child will never graduate from school if he attends only a quarter of the time. A worker will never hold down a job if he shows up for work one or two days a week. This same logic applies to a Christian and his worship. Faithful service to God demands consistent attendance at worship services!

Bored Worshiper
This is the type of person who does anything and everything to amuse himself during the worship. He whispers and laughs and has a good time with those who are around him. He may make faces and laugh at a baby who is sitting two rows ahead. He looks up to see if can count the number of lights hanging from the ceiling. Sometimes, he may even clip his fingernails during the sermon! If he is really bored, he settles down for a little nap.

A Christian who is easily bored during the worship has a serious problem. He should take some time to examine his spirituality. This type of person often blames others for his boredom. It is always the teacher's or preacher's fault. The real cause of his boredom is a lack of interest in spiritual things. This person lacks a serious approach to serving God!

Sleeping During Worship
I remember one worship service, when I was a small boy, when a man sat on the front row and snored through the entire service. Unfortunately, his snoring was comparable to a freight train zooming down the track at sixty miles per hour. On that day, most people got very little from the lesson.

I realize that, due to medications and work schedules, some people find it difficult to stay awake. Under these conditions, staying awake can be an agonizing experience. However, such people need to try to make whatever adjustments they can to make sure they are ready to worship God. On those days when they are unable to do so, they should try to keep in mind why they are at worship. Under some circumstances, droopy eyes may not be avoidable, but a person can try his best not to give in.

Young People
I have never understood why parents allow their teen-age children to sit on the back row and court, laugh, joke, and just have a good time. These parents often lament that if they try to do anything about the problem, the children will rebel and refuse to attend services at all. PARENTS WAKE UP! This situation is intolerable. Your tolerance only harms your child. It prevents others from worshipping God. Be firm and let your teenagers know that worship services is not the time to flirt with their boyfriends or girlfriends and not the time to make plans about what to do after services. If your child fails to comply, then make him or her sit with you for a month or two. That should get the message across!

Tardy Worshipers
You know who I am talking about. Each congregation has them. The people who are always five to ten minutes late for worship or Bible study. Being late can easily become a habit--a bad habit. I realize that all of us have extenuating circumstances that may occasionally cause us to be late to services. However, there are some who are always late. You can set your watch by them. A tardy worshiper defends his actions by saying, "At least I am at the services; that's better than not showing up at all." I wonder how many employers would agree with that logic on Monday? Chronic tardiness indicates a lack of preparation and prior thought. In Romans 12:1, Paul said: "Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Do you think one can comply with this passage and always be late for services?

These people do not realize that their late arrival distracts others. When children are late for Bible class, it presents a real problem for the teacher. The teacher will often waste valuable class time to inform the late arrival of what has been discussed prior to his or her arrival. This results in the other children becoming distracted and missing the overall objective of the class.

Getting your child to Bible class late can be discouraging to the child. Many children are embarrassed by always being late. Being late makes a child the focus of unwanted attention.

If you really love your child and care about his spiritual welfare, make sure that child is in Bible class on time! Being on time for services and Bible classes does not require a major sacrifice. It is so simple. Usually, all that is required is to begin getting ready at home ten to fifteen minutes earlier. This little effort will make a great deal of difference in your overall worship to God.

Leaving Early
Some Christians see nothing wrong with just getting up and leaving before the services are over. I realize that there may occasionally be some extraordinary circumstance that might require leaving early. Someone may have a medical or health reason. But leaving early should never become a rule. It is really tragic when Christians get up and leave early because they are anxious to watch their favorite team on local TV. I wonder how God feels when He is upstaged by a basketball or football game. I doubt that such actions would make God feel loved! I've even known members to complain if the services run a little over because they will have to wait longer in the buffet line for dinner! Where are our hearts brethren?

Misbehaving Children
Nothing can be a greater challenge than trying to worship in the public assembly when there are misbehaving children. Often, the announcements, remarks at the Lord's table, and sermon are drowned out by a small child's constant crying.

The denominational solution to the problem is to provide a staffed nursery. This seems to make everyone very happy. Mom and Dad can worship without having to wrestle junior, and junior has all kinds of fun playing with toys and other children. I see only one slight problem--what lesson is junior learning?

I have heard many say it is impossible to keep small children quiet for an hour during worship services. I must disagree! I've seen it done many times. The real problem is that many parents have very little control over their children. Some parents are hard-pressed to keep their children out of the cookie jar at home, let alone keep them quiet at a worship service. I wonder who is calling the shots?

Children should be taught that there are times when they must be quiet. And worship is one of those times. This lesson, if taught early, will instill in the child the understanding that worship service is a time for respectful worship to God. This can go a long way toward helping stave off problems later in the child's life. Allow me to share with you a few observations I have made of others and as a parent of three sons.

Chronic Crying of Small Children
Nothing can be more distracting than a small child who cries and wails during the worship service. Parents often begin the process of trying to quiet their child. The parent is sure the child will be quiet in a minute. What parents fail to consider is that a minute of crying can seem like an eternity to the preacher and the congregation. Your crying child may prevent a lost soul from hearing a crucial part of the lesson that may touch the heart and save the soul. Most congregations have cry rooms. Use them! If you notice that it is going to take more than a few moments to quiet your child, take him/her to the cry room and deal with the problem there. Some parents may respond, "I will be more of a distraction running back and forth to the cry room." Believe me, your trips to the cry room are much less distracting than five minutes of your child screaming at the top of his lungs.

Bible Class Behavior
Although this does not involve worship, it is still important that parents keep informed about how their children behave during these classes. If you have ever taught a Bible class, you know it can be a horrible experience when there are children who misbehave. Sadly, some parents just take the approach that it is up to the teacher to make their child behave. This is unfair to the teacher and to the other students.

Most teachers will just beg to be replaced for the next quarter. Make it a point periodically to check with your child's teacher about the child's class behavior. Let the teacher know you expect her to be candid about your child's behavior; and if there ever is a problem, to please come to you and let you know. Doing this will make things much easier for the teacher.

Most children begin attending classes when they are two years old. Parents can hardly wait for the day because this allows them to focus on their own Bible classes. It is expected that small children will go through an adjustment period. Some children can walk into class, while others feel very intimidated by this new experience. Each child is different, and they never mature at the same rate. With this in mind, parents need to be especially attentive to a two-year old who is just beginning to attend class. After several weeks, if the child is just not receptive to the idea of attending class, perhaps you should give him/her a few more months to achieve more maturity. Forcing children to attend when they are too young can be traumatic for the children. Rather than you and the teacher having to fight a battle at each class time, you may find that after another six months of growth, your child may be willing to go to class without a struggle.

Some parents make the mistake of attending class with their two-year old. In my humble opinion, if your child is unable to attend class without you, then he is probably not ready to attend. I suppose it's okay for the mother to attend the first couple of classes. Yet, in some cases the mother spends months in class with her child. This is unfair to the teacher and creates a distraction for the class. One thing that absolutely should never happen is the father attending class with his small child. Many women teachers feel very uncomfortable about having a man in the room while they are teaching.

It's Your Turn
I don't know how often I have seen mom and dad play this little game. There is nothing wrong with both parents sharing in the care and discipline of their children during the worship service. However, let's face it, there are times when no one will do but mommy. A child who needs consoling, or who is ill, usually wants his/her mother. I have observed many instances when a father who is struggling with a small child looks pleadingly at his wife, only to receive a cold stare that seems to say, "Listen Buster, I did my part, now it's your turn." This is childish, immature behavior. The worship service is no place for these petty feuds.

The Restroom Parade
Some children have their parents conned into believing they cannot go through a service without two trips to the restroom and one trip to the water fountain. Unless children have health problems, or are being toilet-trained, they can go through a service without a trip to the restroom or the water fountain. The secret--parents make sure your children take care of these needs before services begin and then stand firm!

In conclusion, I hope that these few observations help parents, children, and all of us as we attempt to worship our God with respect and the reverence He richly deserves. We need to remember why we come to worship. It is not to catch up on the latest gossip, to take a short nap, or to see what's been going on with the kids in church during the week! Our worship is to pay homage, honor, and glory to God. When we forget the main purpose for the worship services, these other things become problems. Make sure we all offer God reverential worship! (Edited --KG)