How to Go to Church: Get There Early

Also, a great Bible preacher is retiring.

I begin this in an odd way by telling you of a time I, for good reason, did not follow the advice I am about to give you.

There was this very large weeknight singles Bible study hosted at Prestonwood Baptist Church years ago, before they built the “Baptidome” in Plano, Texas. I went to hear excellent teaching and to meet girls and not necessarily in that order. But I was going through bouts of depression, so the loud happy-clappy music at the beginning annoyed me. Proverbs 25:20 is true, people! So I began making a point to show up late to miss some of that.

But I always got there well before the teaching began. Why? The teacher was Tommy Nelson, who is still one of the best Bible preachers alive. I ended up going to his church, Denton Bible Church. Although I am a different flavor of Christian now, I owe a lot to him and to DBC. I thank God for leading me there and for teaching me through Tommy Nelson.

I mention this because he just announced that he is retiring this coming May after leading Denton Bible for about fifty years. So a bonus tip: if you have opportunity to hear Tommy Nelson teach there or elsewhere in the coming months, go hear.

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Many at this time of year go to church. And it might be an unfamiliar church because they don’t go to church often or because they are out of town for Christmas. So this past Friday I podcasted some tips on how to go to church.

I now want to focus a bit more on one of those tips — arrive early.

As I mentioned, a practical reason to arrive early is to get oriented. Read the bulletin. Allow others to help get you oriented. If you have small children, find out what options you have, perhaps with a cry room, a nursery, or just a space where you can quiet an unhappy child. If you see pride flags or banners, you may then leave before the service.

You can also observe what is the etiquette at that church. One important aspect of church etiquette is whether conversation is appropriate in the sanctuary or worship area, during and before the service. I will let you know that at most traditional churches, it is not appropriate, certainly not prolonged conversation.

(Before I commence to rant, I’ll say I know of good churches where it’s like a big family reunion beforehand. In some places, even the service might be something of a cacophony. I respect that but I much prefer reverent quiet before a service.)

I remember visiting a favorite and otherwise excellent Anglican church. This older man — I think he was a regular there at the time — yakked loudly in the sanctuary even while the excellent organist was playing before the service. That even though quiet was clearly the custom there — he was the only one talking with any volume, and times when I visited and he wasn’t there, it was quiet before services. I had to restrain myself from asking him to cease, and if I were a member there I probably would have asked him.

You might think I am nitpicking. I am not. People who sit down early for a service often are praying or meditating or just trying to get their mind right. They might also be trying to enjoy any pre-service music. (I was trying to do all of the above at that Anglican church.) Show them some common courtesy and be quiet.

Also show God some respect. “The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.” (Habakkuk 2:20)

I recommend that you also spend time quietly praying and getting your mind right before the service. One of the themes of Advent is waiting and preparing for God. So this is a good time to show up early for services and practice waiting and preparing. Wouldn’t you prepare before meeting an earthly king? Wouldn’t part of that preparation be arriving early? Then do likewise for the King of Kings.

Speaking of meeting the King, if you are visiting a church and wish to receive communion, you need to arrive early and find out what the policy is there. Even among Anglican parishes, that can differ. Most Anglican parishes, if you are baptized and aren’t an unrepentant axe murderer, whether you receive is between you and God. But I know of parishes where you should let the priest know before the service of your desire to receive. Some let you know the custom in their bulletins. Anyway, if you desire to receive at a new church, you need to get there early and find out what the custom is.

Now at Roman Catholic churches, you almost always have to be Roman Catholic to receive. I think the Orthodox have a similar rule. But at almost all traditional churches that I know of, there is always the option of receiving a blessing instead of the Sacrament. Just cross your arms in an X over your chest at the communion rail or ask for a blessing.

And for the sake of not inviting the judgement of God to rain down upon you, do not show up very late to the service and presume it’s still okay to receive the Body and the Blood. I can really rant about that and probably will another day. A common rule is those who show up after the reading of the Scriptures should not present themselves at the altar rail to receive. And that makes sense. Someone who can’t be bothered to show up early enough to hear the word of Christ should not presume to receive the Body of Christ.

Wow, I was not expecting to be such a hard man about this subject! I freely admit I do have my pet peeves. But one more happier reason to show up early: enjoy the atmosphere and let it prepare you for worship. There might be inspiring religious art and architecture. There might be a good organist playing before the service begins. Show up early so you can take in and enjoy “the beauty of holiness.”

But let me add that almost all churches are understanding if you show up a bit late. There’s traffic. There’s getting small children ready. And just stuff happens. Do try to show up on time or early but if you fail, don’t beat yourself up. Go to church and worship the King who once was the newborn King. And Mary and Joseph got to Bethlehem too late to get a room as I recall.

Have a blessed remainder of Advent and a Happy Christmas.