How is your church in this regard?
I've only been to a few churches over the years, but sometimes after a evening service it has been hard to even think clearly because of the din of chit-chat and socialising. I wonder have we understood church worship services slightly wrong in this regard and in regard to fellowship (koinonia).
I really cannot say I am an expert on Koinonia, because I haven't seen it modeled much in the churches I have been to, but when I found it modelled, afterwards its seemed almost extraordinary - I have always been a bit withdrawn in public gatherings but when i have experienced Koinonia, I forget my social awkwardness, and it hardly matters how well I have known the people I am speaking to or they me, but conversation seems to flow, its not like ordinary social get togethers. Now it could be that during times of depression or if I am not walking closely with the Lord I don't experience this to the same extent. It's been really difficult sometimes almost impossible to enter into the general conversation at the end of a service for me sometimes. But my experience of Koinonia is rare. I don't think it exists half the time in some churches - I have stood around deliberately after services and glanced at this and that and no one comes near. I don't know what is wrong?. I do make first moves even with strangers I greet people sitting across or behind when I go in even if its a church I am not familiar with.
Anyway that aside I just think a service of worship has a slightly different function to other sorts of meetings and too much chit-chat, or the praise band practicing creates a din when there might be folks needing personal ministry or prayer.
I think it would be better if christians, held most of their social chit chat and catching up until meeting in each others homes, house groups or at mid week meetings and such, it as it would facilitate personal ministry to take place following a church service.
I've only been to a few churches over the years, but sometimes after a evening service it has been hard to even think clearly because of the din of chit-chat and socialising. I wonder have we understood church worship services slightly wrong in this regard and in regard to fellowship (koinonia).
I really cannot say I am an expert on Koinonia, because I haven't seen it modeled much in the churches I have been to, but when I found it modelled, afterwards its seemed almost extraordinary - I have always been a bit withdrawn in public gatherings but when i have experienced Koinonia, I forget my social awkwardness, and it hardly matters how well I have known the people I am speaking to or they me, but conversation seems to flow, its not like ordinary social get togethers. Now it could be that during times of depression or if I am not walking closely with the Lord I don't experience this to the same extent. It's been really difficult sometimes almost impossible to enter into the general conversation at the end of a service for me sometimes. But my experience of Koinonia is rare. I don't think it exists half the time in some churches - I have stood around deliberately after services and glanced at this and that and no one comes near. I don't know what is wrong?. I do make first moves even with strangers I greet people sitting across or behind when I go in even if its a church I am not familiar with.
Anyway that aside I just think a service of worship has a slightly different function to other sorts of meetings and too much chit-chat, or the praise band practicing creates a din when there might be folks needing personal ministry or prayer.
I think it would be better if christians, held most of their social chit chat and catching up until meeting in each others homes, house groups or at mid week meetings and such, it as it would facilitate personal ministry to take place following a church service.
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