WHAT SOUND DOES THE CHURCH MAKE?

Who can hear us?

Pastor Larry Wade, Urbana Yoke Parish (UYP), Urbana, Indiana, is making The Opening Door the theme for 2022.  This got me to thinking about the sounds our church makes. 

Our church has a bell.  How many people can hear it?  Does the bell proclaim the beginning of Sunday worship?  Or does the bell hang there quietly as if it is just another day?

UYP is very noisy before and after church.  The congregation enjoys each other and they chatter and chatter and chatter right up to the time church starts.  They resume this fellowship at the close of service.  How far does that sound carry?  Can neighbors hear the joy of being part of a church family?  Or do closed doors muffle the sound of fellowship?

Microphones carry the sound of the message to all attending church.  Those in the back and far corner can hear and ponder God’s word.  If a person was standing outside, could they hear?  Or do closed doors stop the message from entering their heart?

The service is recorded and posted on our website and watching the video is wonderful for those who cannot attend.  They can see and hear the service.  Can their neighbors hear the Good News?  Or do the home’s walls and closed doors confine the sound, the joy, and the message?

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What would happen if others could hear the sounds a church makes?

What would happen if someone walking by heard the bell?  Would they be reminded it is time to worship?

What would happen if the doors were open and others could see the fellowship?  Would they want to discover what makes those people chatter like that?

What would happen if the doors were open?  Would a neighbor or someone going by come in and listen to the music, the prayers, and the Word of God?

What would happen if the doors were open?  What would happen if we — you, me, us, them — did not allow the walls and doors of the church to confine our worship to Sunday morning?  What would happen if we — you, me, us, them — took the joy, the fellowship, and God’s Word right out the door with us and allowed all we meet to see Jesus come alive in us?

What would happen?  Souls would be saved!