Bulletin Articles
In Defense of Simplicity
IN DEFENSE OF SIMPLICITY
My recent trip to Tennessee reminded me about the beauty of simplicity. In the first century, people simply obeyed the gospel and became Christians (Acts 2). Their worship was simple. They gathered to sing (Ep.5:19), pray (Ac.12:5), give (1Cor.16:2), commune (1Cor.10:16), and study (Ac.20:7). Their worship was not a “performance,” designed to impress members or visitors. Instead, there was a real simplicity to what they did. In those days, there were no church buildings, no power-points for songs and sermons, no individually wrapped communion sets, and no “pre-worship meetings.” While such things are not wrong, each one adds a layer of complexity to worship.
I was reminded of that simplicity as we worshipped with the church in Lafayette, TN. Even though we did all God required of us, there was NO “air of formality” to the process. Just simple country folk gathering to do what brethren have done for centuries. It was a very “relaxed” atmosphere. In fact, I think I was the only one with a suit and tie! Indeed, it took me back to my days in Kentucky, when any male member who wanted to lead a song during worship was allowed to lead one (or two!) – even if it meant singing for twenty or thirty minutes before the opening prayer. Imagine that! Just worshiping God, with no timetable!
In view of this, I ask you to carefully study Acts 20:7-11. These disciples gathered to worship, and were blessed to have the apostle Paul as their “guest speaker” (v.7). There is a clear inference that Paul’s sermon went a little long (Oh, my!). Then, there was an interruption, caused by a man who dozed off, fell from a third story window, and died (v.8-9). The “services” (?) were stopped to attend to the needs of this man, who was resurrected by the apostle Paul. After that, he ate a meal (v.10-11). Finally, services resumed, and Paul “talked a long while, even till daybreak.”
Now just think about that very unusual situation. If something like that happened today, what would we do? Would we be in a panic? Would we dismiss services – or would we just put them on hold until everything is taken care of? Would we be critical of the man who fell asleep, and tell Paul to just “leave him dead” because that’s what he deserves for falling asleep? Would we be critical of Paul for preaching so long? The point I am making is that today, brethren can be a little “uptight” about such things. Long sermon, someone who fell asleep, interrupting our “order of services,” someone who “ate in the meetinghouse” – and then, to top it all off, the brethren turned their gathering into an “all-night worship service.” With tongue firmly planted in cheek, I say, “Sacrilege!”
Yes, I do realize that some of these things were simply matters of judgment regarding what to do in an unexpected situation. But I also wonder if we don’t miss something in our never-ending quest to have the “perfect” worship service. You know what I mean: everybody on time, meticulously dressed, perfect performance, perfect timing for each act of worship, as well as the perfect timing for the whole service, perfect sermon, perfect slideshow – and most importantly, no unexpected issues! I wonder if, in our quest for a perfect performance, we lose something of the genuine sincerity needed to worship acceptably (Jn.4:24, “worship in spirit”).
I hasten to add that the “simplicity” which I’m defending is not so much a “country church versus city church” thing, but a “big church verses small church” thing. In other words, the “simplicity” gets lost in bigger churches – for the bigger a church gets, the more “formal” it gets. And, in my view, such formality can “suffocate” true worship!
I do not know what the answer is; perhaps there is no answer. Perhaps the increasing need for formality is just an inevitable by-product of larger churches. But it sure made me feel better to rant about it for a while! Thank you for reading my rant, and considering what I’ve said here. To be clear, I’m NOT arguing for disorderly worship (1Cor.14:40) – just a little less “stuffiness.” Brethren, do not to let your desire for a “flawless performance” take precedence over genuine, heartfelt worship – for our Father is seeking the latter (Jn.4:23).
--Lanny Smith
