Get me to the church on time – or not...

“The trouble with punctuality is that nobody’s there to appreciate it.”

Does your church have a problem with punctuality? If it does, does it really matter if people don’t arrive in time for the beginning of the service? After all, there is no direct command in the Bible to “be punctual” or “be on time”, and it is not one of the nine “fruit of the Spirit” qualities in Galatians 5:22,23. Perhaps it is not very important after all, and we should all be quite relaxed about people arriving late.

In everyday life, sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t matter. It matters with work and with school; but with some social occasions it does not matter so much and may even be helpful to be a little late. Is the church that kind of social occasion where it does not really matter if you are a bit late?

I’m convinced the church service is more than just another social occasion, so it does matter, more than we may realise, and is even connected to the fruit of the Spirit (more later). So I would like to make a case for getting to church on time.

Can I persuade you to consider making a habit not only of getting to church regularly (Heb.10:25), but of getting to church in good time? Not just on time but in good time, at least ten minutes before the service starts.

Here’s why (and many of them are benefits for you):

• It is less stressful (than last minute or late), for you, and also for the rest of us.

• You might be able to grab a cup of coffee before the service.

• You can settle in gently and prepare your heart and mind for the service.

• You can pray beforehand – alone or with others.

• You get to hear the songs before the service (especially useful with new songs).

• You can welcome others in or just say hello (because you have time to do that).

• You can be around to help with anything (there are always things to do before the service begins and it may have the added benefit of making you feel more involved).

• You encourage others just by being there in good time.

• It says, this is important to me and these people are important to me and I want to make the most of this service.

• You make it easier for visitors so they don’t have to feel awkward walking into a fairly empty space.

• You won’t have to apologise again for being late! (Do you find yourself saying, a lot of times, “I’m sorry I’m late.”? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be done with that? Instead, others get to say to you “Hey, you’re here, in such good time, it’s great to see you”, instead of pretending it’s “ok” that you’re late again)

• It will be appreciated – and that’s a win-win situation and a nice way to prepare for a service.

It can also be argued, most importantly, that it is one expression of love for the church and for the Lord that you make such an effort – if only to offer help with the things that need doing before the service.

What does it take? Usually no more than getting up a bit earlier, setting out a bit earlier; giving yourself plenty of time, allowing for possible setbacks along the way.

If your work boss said to you: “Tomorrow, why not come in for 10.30, but don’t be late”? You’d probably reply, “No problem, that’s easy.”

Of course, there will be times when it will not be possible or very difficult to get to church in good time or even on time, but for most people most of the time it should be possible to be on time and even in good time.

So, though it’s not exactly one of the fruit of the Spirit qualities, it could be said that it’s one way the fruit of the Spirit works out: “love”, “kindness”, “faithfulness” (or reliability), and even “self-control” because you need to get up a little earlier. Being at church in good time may be a very practical expression of the fruit of the Spirit and a very down-to-earth way of keeping in step with Him (Gal. 5:25). It might also produce some more “joy” and “peace” for us all! I rest my case!