From the Outside Looking In

Scripture:
I Corinthians 14:40 — “But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.”

Observation:
In I Corinthians 8-14, Paul addresses a wide range of issues from eating of meat sacrificed to idols, to women being required to wear a head covering. And even the controversy in Chapter 14 with questions regarding which spiritual gift was more important to express in worship. But one thing that remains the same is that he is addressing the church as a whole. He is not just talking to the leaders, nor was he just referring to the members. He was addressing the church as a whole entity, especially when it comes to verse 40. Paul instructs them that whatever is done in a church meeting should be done in an orderly, meaningful way that builds up the body. This verse is referring to doing things in an appropriate, orderly manner without confusion or discord. The word used here comes from a military term meaning order and regularity. Much confusion and questions can arise when a church begins to analyze the various modes of worship and customs in the church. Difficulties can raise tension, so Paul laid out a plain and simple rule for all to follow.
 
Application:
This short yet meaningful verse has so much to teach churches and individuals. About six weeks ago I had a chance to attend a children’s ministry conference on the outskirts of Dallas, Texas. Throughout the week one of the things that really stood out to me and the others who attended with me was how everything had been done in an orderly and proper fashion. One of their core values they discussed during the conference was doing things with excellence. While there, one of the pastors asked the following question, “What is the best thing the church has to offer the world”? Well, this is a no-brainer, isn’t it? Christ is the best things we have to offer the world. The pastor continued by saying that if Christ is the best thing we have to offer the world, then why wouldn’t we “do church” with excellence every single Sunday. This was what Paul was telling the church of Corinth. He was telling them to have everything in order and properly functioning so that when others looked at their church body, they saw something they wanted to be a part of. Not something with discord or confusion.  I think this applies to the entire church body whether staff, servant leader, member, or elder. Many probably look at our church as a whole and say, “Oh, we do things with excellence”. I would agree, but I wonder what a visitor would say. I began to think about this several weeks ago when my sister-in-law called me very distressed over a visit to a church in another city. Their family has recently moved and has been looking for a church home. One Sunday several weeks ago they decided to visit this one specific church, when they arrived the following occurred. No one greeted them. No one helped them with directions on where to go. There were no clear signs directing them where to drop off their children. There were many people standing around but no one designated to help them. Feeling overwhelmed and unaccepted, my sister-in-law and family turned, walked out of the church, and drove home. When she called to share with me her frustrations, I could not help to think how easily this can happen to us if things are not done with order and excellence. When we do things with excellence, those who come looking to experience God will find Him and we will get to be a part of leading them to Him rather than distracting them from Him.
 
Prayer:
God, help us to be a church body that gives You our very best. Show us ways we can draw others to you through doing things more orderly and properly. Help us to never forget that the best thing we have to offer the world is You.

— Emily Suggs, children’s minister, Madison/Ridgeland campus