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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1987-05-20, Page 25From the Minister's Study THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1987. PAGE 25. Some thoughts on the uncomfortable pew BY JAMES H. CARNE, PASTOR HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH, AUBURN Much has been said about “The Comfortable Pew” but little men­ tion has been made of the fact that there is also an uncomfortable pew. In neither cases is the comfort quality of the pew in question, of course. (Most pews are physically uncomfortable!) The people who occupy the comfortable pew have been char­ acterized by boredom, indiffer­ ence and staidness. Equally recog­ nizable are the unwilling occu- Auburn UCW meeting has Mother's Day theme A “Mother’s Day” theme was usedwhenUnitll of the Auburn U.C.W. met at Mrs. Tom Jardins for the May meeting. Devotions included “The Parable of the Two Mothers”, poems by Helen Stein­ er Rice, and a quiz on Bible Mothers. The meditation was “Mother’s Day in Glory” and told how Business Directory Fast Efficient24 Hour Service TURN YOUR SCRAP INTO CASH!! WANTED CARS & TRUCKS ALL MODELS & MAKES DELIVER IN YARD OR WILL PICK-UP McCreery Auto Wreckers Highway No. 86 9 miles West of Listowel. pants of the uncomfortable pew. There is something to be said about being comfortable in church. A person whose natural habitat on a Sunday is the house of God is recognizable immediately: he knows the hymns and joins lustily in the singing; he is not intimidated by a fervent “Hallelujah,” or “praise the Lord;” he enters personally into prayer. By con­ trast, the person who feels out of place in church sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb. He is ill-at-ease and in a number of ways demonstrates that he is out of his element. One wonders why he is Hannah gave the example of love, influence and sacrifice, as she dedicated her son Samuel to the Lord. Mrs. Lapp gave an interest­ ing paper on Bible Translations. Leader Mrs. Jack Vincent conduc­ ted the business. Lunch followed forasocialhour. The convenors were Mrs. Tom Cunningham and Mrs. Tom Jardin. there in the first place. Generally, itis not ofhis owndoing. Heis there because there are some experien­ ces in life that require one to be in church; weddings, funerals, infant baptisms and dedications. It always seems a tragedy when one is caught in the bind of having to be in church under those circumstances when he would rather be anywhere else. Some have come requesting the facilities and services of the church for a wedding. How unfortunate when the lack of familiarity pertains not only to the church but to the whole matter of the spiritual side of marriage. Then, there has been the awkwardness of parents who have wanted their baby “done”. When it is explained that, in order for the rite to mean anything, commit­ ment to Christ and to spiritual things on the part of the parents is required, there is often an expres­ sion of pain that recognizes the dilemma of not being able to qualify, on the one hand, and the expectation of relatives for a bountiful meal in celebration, on the other. And, what about the person who has avoided, rather successfully, the whole question of BLAKE Septic Tank Service CALL RAY 887-9186or 887-6800 death, but who is now confronted with the need to make funeral arrangements for a loved one and has no idea of a pastor on whom he might call? Ah, there are worse things than feeling familiar with the things of God and being comfortable in church! The fact is that there are some things with which one is stuck. Religious and spiritual realities will not simply go away because they are ignored. Sooner or later one is caught in the bind of having to go to church, and, ultimately, if Blyth Christian Reformed Church HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH Rev. Roger Gelwicks WorshipServices 10:00a.m. and 2:30p.m. Sunday School 11:00a.m. The Church of the “Back to God Hour” and “Faith 20” Back to God Hour 10:30a.m. CKNX, Sunday Faith 20 5:00 a.m. weekdays, Global T. V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME 291-4159 or 335-3314 the Bible is true, all of us will be called to stand before the judge­ ment bar of God. If one is uncomfortable simply in church, how can he hope to feel then? If you are not accustomed to being in the house of God, and spiritual things make you nervous, let me encourage you to seek out a pastor to whom you can state simply your concerns and let him/her help you to know the Saviour, sothatyou can come to His house with gladness and so vacate your uncomfortable pew. 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