Church and Priorities

Q: Why do people not put church as a priority in their life?

Different people have different reasons for not wanting to engage in church or public worship. However, I haven't heard a good one yet. It's sort of like the excuses that one gives for not having their homework - "We had a ___ game to go to (or a camping trip or sleep over or ... whatever) on Sunday" or "We just couldn't get it together" or my favorite "It's my only day to sleep in" or even better yet "the kids didn't think it was fun" or "I don't get anything out of it." 

Attendance at public worship (or lack thereof) says something about the person and what kind of relationship they are trying to nurture with God. We prioritize activities based on what we think is important. If an individual's relationship with God is unimportant, then it becomes 2nd, 3rd, or even last on the list. This is very sad because it's the people like this that wonder why God is so "absent" after they have done nothing to nurture or build a relationship with God. 

Relationship is a two-fold thing. It requires engagement and interaction by all parties. I often tell people that you only get out of church (or relationship) what you are willing to put into it. If you are not engaged or don't participate in what the church community works so hard to offer, then you don't reap the full benefits of church.

I recently had a conversation with a woman who has come back to church after being away for many years. She attends nearly every Sunday and is engaged in activities. I want to share what she told me that will probably help those who are struggling with priorities. She said, "I never realized the depth of real love and understanding that comes from belonging to a church. I understand more about how we worship more than I did when I came only 2 or 3 times a year. I never realized or understood that going through Lent would make Easter mean that much more to me - and it did! The more I learn, the more I want to learn."

For me, that sums it up. That is why I am personally engaged. That's why I make it a priority. When I am in worship or in community at Church, as messy and stressful as it can be sometimes, I always feel a depth of love and peace. It is a place of activity and learning... it is a place of engagement and relationship... It's not perfect, it's a messy safe place to work things out.

Jesus says love God and love your neighbor. To me, my relationship with God is the first thing on my list. That is what I work on when I go to church and worship. It sets the tone of how I work on my relationship with my neighbor. If the relationship with God is missing, then the rest of the system will be, and usually is, out of sorts.

Note: It usually takes a few several hours to prepare just one hour of worship, it's not instant, nor does it happen spontaneously. It is a shame that many people don't think that their relationship with God is important enough to make it a priority and engage enough to completely enjoy the benefits.

Gestures for Prayer (Standing, Sitting, Kneeling)

Q: Why is it considered less joyous if we kneel during prayers and Eucharist? I find it easier to concentrate and be in the moment while kneeling.

I'm not sure it's considered less joyous, but each person experiences different things while praying using different postures. Over the years, the church has become less prescriptive about postures during the prayers. I even use the phrase (please stand, sit, or kneel as best helps you to pray). It is my intent to have you determine your own prayer posture so that you can concentrate and be "in the moment." 

That doesn't preclude us from learning that gestures and postures say different things. We all know about body language and how we can portray things to others by the way we stand or cross our arms or whatever. Prayer postures are much like that.

Kneeling is a sign of humility and reverence. I would say that kneeling is always a great posture for prayer. Sometimes it is uncomfortable. Especially if you have knee joint problems. Kneeling is often thought to be penitential or submissive. 

Standing is a sign of worth, dignity and respect. We are taught in our culture that we stand when someone important enters the room. Standing during prayer is often a sign of thankfulness and praise of Jesus who, through his death and resurrection, made us able and worthy to be reunited to God. Prayer B (starting on page 367 of the Book of Common Prayer) has the phrase "made us worthy to stand before you." It seems confusing to say that we lift our hearts up to the Lord as we are giving praise in celebration to fall on our knees... confusing, but sometimes appropriate during particularly penitential seasons like Lent. 

The Episcopal Church is full of gestures, as a kid we called them Episco-robics! Stand, Sit, Kneel, Stand, Kneel, Sit, Bow, Kneel, Stand, etc... Worship can be an incredible workout. I personally use these simple guidelines.

• Stand: to sing, proclaim, and pray during Easter (proclaim: such as reciting a creedal statement)
• Sit: to learn (during the lessons, readings, preaching, etc...)
• Kneel: to pray (especially in Lent) 

Fun fact to know and tell: The first council of Nicaea (from which we get the Nicene Creed) as early as 325 actually addressed standing during prayers at the liturgy, especially the consecration. This resulted in a church disciplinary canon. I don't think that anyone today will be arrested for kneeling during prayers at church. ;)