Have you heard that phrase before?
It can mean “to be overwhelmed with work or information, or to be inundated with an uncapped, unfiltered amount. To take a small amount from an enormous, hard-to-manage quantity.”
That’s how I used to feel on some Sundays after church.
There is an image of a clock on the Megatron-like screen looming over us, ticking down the minutes and seconds until the church service is to start.
There will be two services, so we must stay on time!
Then, just like clockwork, (pun intended) the announcements are made; then the music begins. It is often rhythmic but frantic at first. THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, repeating lyrics over and over, song after song. The final ‘worship song’ slowing to a quieter pace, readying us for a sermon or a lecture.
There is a screen at the back of the auditorium for the preacher to view. It is reflecting the preacher’s notes and a CLOCK ticking down the minutes and seconds. He must stay on time! We rapidly fill the blank spaces in the bulletin’s sermon notes section, occasionally peeking at our neighbors sheet for an answer we miss. Next, the concluding remarks, a quick invitation to repeat a prayer and on your way out pick up literature confirming your decision today. CLEAR OUT, the next audience is coming in just thirty minutes!
HURRY, HURRY, HURRY, and chat with others on the way out of the doors. Into you cars and leave. MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEXT SERVICE!
And then along comes the-not-so-“Pandemic”.
Research shows that, since the not-so-pandemic started, that 1 in 3 church-goers are not coming back to the ‘religious races’. Preferring instead to watch from home, or gathering in a homes in small groups, slow down the pace, but not forsaking the “GATHERING TOGETHER”.
They like to say “I like to know you name. I want you to know me. I want to get to know about you – to actually know you. I want your for a friend and I want you to be my friend.” You get it, right?
“Making your way in the world today Takes everything you got Taking a break from all your worries It sure would help a lot Wouldn’t you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go”
Where everybody knows your name And they’re always glad you came You want to be where you can see The troubles are all the same You want to be where everybody knows your name You want to go where people know The people are all the same You want to go where everybody knows your name
What do you think?
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young