original article by Col Marshall (adapted by Craig Tucker)

The ‘Pew Prayer’
Some years ago a pastor, Ray Ewers, instructed me in the
finer art of how to walk into church. To most people, this
might appear to be a rather basic accomplishment requiring
little or no instruction. Perhaps a family with five toddlers
would appreciate some advice, but most of us would never
give it a thought. Ray’s instruction was very brief: “Pray
about where you sit”.

Praying seemed like a great way to walk into church, better
than grumbling about the full car park or feeling annoyed
that they’ve sung that song again you so dislike. But of all
the things to pray about, why should I be concerned with
seating position? After all, I sit in my pew every week.
Ray’s advice was based on a particular view of church. He
saw church as a place where Christians go to work. Church
is a gathering of God’s people to hear his word and respond
in faith and obedience. In this gathering, we are in fellowship
with each other, through the blood of Jesus, and, because
of our fellowship, we seek to serve each other. We
use our gifts and abilities to strengthen one another and
build Christ’s church – ‘edification’ is the word often used to
describe what goes on in church. All believers are involved
in building the church. Because of this, we aren’t to see
ourselves merely as members of the “audience”, but as servants
of God’s people, eager to meet the needs of others
even if it means sacrificing our own.

The ‘Pew Prayer’ was a significant turning point in my understanding
of what church is all about. It changed my reasons
for going to church. The shift was made from being the
‘helpee’ to the helper, the served to the servant. Church is
where we seek spiritual food and encouragement in order to
become more godly; but church is also where we go in order
to feed other people and encourage them. In God’s
mercy, we become more Christ-like in the process, as like
him we deny ourselves for the sake of others.

There are numerous ways in which we can carry out the
ministry of the pew. Once we make the attitude shift from
passive pew sitters and receivers to active workers and givers,
there is no end to the difference we can make to others
and to the running of the meeting. All the suggestions below
are of the informal type – things we can do at our own initiative.
They are types of involvement that every congregation
member can have.

Before Preparation
The Bible indicates that our encouragement of others as we
gather together is not something that will just happen, but
requires careful consideration, planning and reflection (Heb
10:26). The minister should not be the only one preparing
for church!

We prepare by praying for the preacher, the musicians, the
service leader, the Bible readers and the newcomers. We
prepare by studying the Bible passages so that we maximise
this learning opportunity by being sensitised to the issues
and questions in the passages being taught. Such
preparation will not just benefit us. We are better equipped
to enter into discussion with others if we have looked at the
passage beforehand. An intelligent question, comment or
observation upon the sermon is an enormous motivating
factor for the preacher who, week by week, has to try and
engage the congregation’s minds and hearts in the Word of
God.

Newcomers
We enjoy meeting our friends at church, but we need to develop
a nose for new people. We need to sit with them and
help them feel comfortable in this strange place by introducing
ourselves and explaining what is going on. We should
greet the non-Christian friends of other members and introduce
our friends to others.

Think back to the last time you were a stranger at a church
meeting. How did it feel? What things did people do that
helped or hindered?

It’s all about genuine hospitality. The way we welcome and
look after people when they visit our homes should be a
model for the household of God. And genuine, relaxed hospitality
will slowly evaporate some of the prejudices held by
outsiders.

Arriving early
All of this requires that we arrive not on time, but early. That
may be the greatest miracle of all!

During Church
Be Involved
People in the pews have an enormous impact on those who
are teaching and leading by energetic listening. It is very
hard to preach enthusiastically to a sleepy, distracted, fidgety
group.

Our active listening will also infect others with enthusiasm
for learning, just as our fidgeting will discourage them. Newcomers
will also pick up that these ideas are worth listening
to if they see rows of regulars eagerly soaking up the Bible.
Look up the Bible, help those around you – if they don’t have
a Bible, or they need to find the crèche, help them yourself.
It is your meeting, not the minister’s. It’s all about being observant
and outward looking.

Similarly, those in the pew can be a great help to the singing
and leading of music. It is everyone’s responsibility to
share in the corporate singing of the congregation. The music
may be well chosen and played but if it is poorly sung it
is disheartening. Our enthusiasm and gusto in singing is of
great help to those around us and those leading the music,
even if we can barely hold a tune. Just pretend you’re under
the shower.

Logistics
Each member in the pew also has an important part to play
in the smooth running of the meeting. The devil will use anything
to distract people from hearing the Word of God. We
mustn’t rely on ushers to fix things. If the window needs to
be opened, get up and do it. If the microphones are not
right, signal to the speaker so the problem can be fixed before
they continue without being heard.

After Church
Discuss God’s Word
We have just heard the Word of God and we spend all of
morning tea talking about last night’s video. It isn’t right and
we know it, but many of us are just uncomfortable starting
up ‘spiritual’ conversations. If you get the ball rolling, others
pick it up. During the sermon, think up some comments or
issues to raise with others. Asking “What did you think of
the sermon?” will usually put your neighbour into a coma,
but making a specific comment may generate a fruitful conversation.
Even if the conversations don’t always get off the
ground, your enthusiasm for learning the Bible will be contagious
and non-Christians will see that church is not dull
and boring but fascinating and life shattering.

Give Feedback
Especially when you have been encouraged, let the person
who has read the Bible, sung, etc. know that their ministry
has been effective. You might be the only one to say anything!

Pray with others
Use the suppertime to meet others and find out their concerns
and pray quietly with them. This will look a bit weird to
newcomers but they will know that we love each other and
trust God’s providence.

Newcomers
Newcomers tend to leave fairly quickly so we have to move
fast by identifying the visitor in our pew and offering them
conversation immediately as the service ends. It’s all very
purposeful: making sure they are welcomed properly by
meeting you and your friends, maybe introduce them to the
minister and help them see how they can fit in the congregation.
You might need to be more familiar with what ages
are catered for in the crèche, etc… in order to be helpful
with the newcomer. You may have to postpone catching
your friends until after the newcomers have been cared for.

Plan to Stay late
Once you catch this vision of church you are always the last
to leave because the opportunities to minister don’t end until
the last person leaves. Ministry of the pew takes time.