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Dear Friends,

MINISTRY OF THE PEW (PART ONE — BEFORE THE SERVICE)

I once walked into a church in no mood for any real engagement with God but I was met by a man near the door who was so gracious and godly that everything changed. I sat down deeply impacted by that welcome and never forgot it. On other occasions I’ve been to visit a church and the people around have been so self-absorbed and unfriendly that it was all I could manage to stay pleasant and faithful. [“What else is new?” you say!]

Do you realise that you can make (or maybe break) someone’s readiness for ‘worship’ and fellowship? The ministry of truth and love is not confined to the platform but is hugely influential from the pew [the seats!]. For the next three Sundays we are going to think through, for 3 minutes, what it means to serve people before, during and after the service — from the pew.

Before Church

1. You can prepare for a great effect

(a) Why not make time to read the sermon passage before you come? You can then see the tricky parts or work out a question you want answered or an issue you will raise over coffee.

(b) Pray before you arrive for the preacher, the congregation and for yourself to be used by God in some helpful way. Is there someone you want to specially look out for, encourage or get news from?

2. You can use the preaching programme to help you invite

(a) Imagine if we were all inviting people to see the local church ‘just once’? We try to plan (with things done well and clearly) so you can invite friends.

(b) Is there someone you could bring and is there a sermon issue coming that would be helpful?

3. Punctuality [yes — a shocking thought, I know!]

(a) Serve the congregation by aiming for ‘ten to’ not ‘ten past’ and don’t travel with the ‘perfect run’ in mind! There are people — especially visitors — with no-one to speak to before the service, so wander around and greet them.

(b) Did you know there are short prayer meetings in the vestry (side room) before each service? Join us!

4. Seating

(a) Is there someone sitting on their own whom I could say “hi” to — and maybe sit with? Are there people around to welcome as I sit down? [Don’t ignore the new faces.]

(b) Please don’t block a seat by sitting on the end, but welcome others — this could be the key moment where they decide that “God is really among you” (1 Corinthians 14:25).

Over to you!

Yours in fellowship,

Simon Manchester

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