A Surprise For My Pastor

Sometimes people can be very stubborn.  A few months ago, our Pastor nicely asked the people who attend our 8:15 a.m. service to sit in the middle section because we are so spread out.  We have a fairly large sanctuary and only about 50 people in the early service who sit all over.  My husband and I used to sit on the right side near the doors, but moved to the center the week after he asked and have sat there since.

8:15 service on Dec. 4, 2011

I don't understand why people refuse to move.  This seems like such a little request to me and yet, very few have cooperated.  I would think this would make him feel so discouraged and unappreciated.  Isn't it sad how people get so set in their ways that they refuse to budge?  I felt like standing by the door and reminding people that the Pastor would like for us to sit in the center and so I think it would be a nice surprise for him if we all did it today.  Do you think they would?

I decided to go ahead and do it last Sunday.  I wrote up a little note and handed to the people as they arrived. Here is what it said:

LET'S SURPRISE PASTOR DAN TODAY


Several months ago he asked us to sit in the center section at the 8:15 service so let's all do it today. He'd be shocked and encouraged, don't you think? It'll be fun o see his reaction and would be a cool surprise that doesn't cost us anything! --Karen Zemek

8:15 service on Dec. 11, 2011

I was thrilled to see the people agreed with me and cooperated.  The ushers were surprised too! The Pastor was surprised and kind of shocked.  He said he felt like "Simeon when he was told he wouldn't die until he saw the Lord's Christ.  Now I've seen the church come together to the center and I can die a happy Pastor."  Unfortunately, one guy showed him the note, duh, it is a "surprise." He wasn't supposed to know what was going on and who was the instigator. Oh well, I could tell when the choir came in at the end, they were surprised too and wondering what happened!

It was actually nice sitting in a closer group. The singing sounded much better and people were in a good mood and friendly. It was just a very cool and fun simple thing to do. Now, of course the next question is will people continue to sit in the center or go back to their old patterns. I hope at least some will return next week. It's not a hardship, just a matter of making a little adjustment and getting used to a different view..

Who can you encourage today?

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