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Blogs by Stephanie S. Sawyer
The Pew: an Imprint 10/15/2007 10:40:40 AM
The character of a congregation plays itself out before the church service. What would Jesus say about various church members insisting on sitting in 'their spot', preferential places in the congregation, week after week for every event in the church calendar? The partiality has gone so far as to cause gossip and disdain to other members who unknowingly sit in the reserved-by-member pew. Such is the case with my local church, and I have had it with the partiality, quite the opposite of the reason I go to church.
There seems to be among several of the front pews an observance of "This is So and So's spot." On numerous occasions, I have entered the church a few minutes in advance for quiet meditation, only to hear myself gossiped about a few minutes with hushed gawks because So and So did not get "My seat". The gossip continues with noises of the tongue and eye stares.
I am not one to play games so I stay where I am attempting to ignore this ridiculing partiality. Yet, the spirit of the congregation is evident. "What's mine is mine, and don't get near it."
What would Jesus say to this?
He would tell me to forgive.
I go to church to pray, to worship God, to learn more about Him, and hopefully, to be in a community of believers where I can further live out my Christian convictions. I believe we are meant to be a part of each other's lives deeply connected with each other as family in Christ.
Partiality does not lend itself to that.
Prefering each other does.
Service is something I feel strongly about. It's time I look for a congregation that also values that core commitment.
