180
Pastoral Ministry
for the church above, for that loftier worship into which there can enter
nothing that is impure, unholy.—
Messages to Young People, 265
.
[175]
[176]
Worshipers should act as in the visible presence of God—
When the benediction is pronounced, all should still be quiet, as if
fearful of losing the peace of Christ. Let all pass out without jostling or
loud talking, feeling that they are in the presence of God, that His eye
is resting upon them, and that they must act as in His visible presence.
Let there be no stopping in the aisles to visit or gossip, thus blocking
them up so that others cannot pass out. The precincts of the church
should be invested with a sacred reverence. It should not be made a
place to meet old friends and visit and introduce common thoughts
and worldly business transactions. These should be left outside the
church. God and angels have been dishonored by the careless, noisy
laughing and shuffling of feet heard in some places.—
Testimonies for
the Church 5:493, 494
.
Formal Versus Informal
Make the worship service both interesting and attractive—
Our meetings should be made intensely interesting. They should
be pervaded with the very atmosphere of heaven. Let there be no long,
dry speeches and formal prayers merely for the sake of occupying the
time. All should be ready to act their part with promptness, and when
their duty is done, the meeting should be closed. Thus the interest will
be kept up to the last. This is offering to God acceptable worship. His
service should be made interesting and attractive and not be allowed
to degenerate into a dry form.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:609
.
The house of God the gate of heaven—To the humble, believing
soul, the house of God on earth is the gate of heaven. The song of
praise, the prayer, the words spoken by Christ’s representatives, are
God’s appointed agencies to prepare a people for the church above, for
that loftier worship into which there can enter nothing that defileth.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:491
.
The melody of song, poured forth from many hearts in clear, dis-
tinct utterance, is one of God’s instrumentalities in the work of saving
souls. All the service should be conducted with solemnity and awe, as
if in the visible presence of the Master of assemblies.—
Testimonies
for the Church 5:492, 493
.