Surprise!

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

Acts 3:5   So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

I have preached a few times on this verse, each time encouraging the congregation to come “expecting” to receive something, but for the last few years I have spent more time sitting in the pews, than behind the pulpit.  You could say that I have a whole new perspective of “expecting” something.

If you are like me, you grew up watching Gomer Pyle and hearing him say “Surprise, Surprise, Surprise.”  I would suggest that church leadership adopt this “Surprise” saying as well.  I have attended several churches the last few years.  The churches have been of several denominations and all vary in size, but the one thing that sticks out is that they all are predictable.  Each church has their own rehearsed service down.  They know how to have “church.”  There are no surprises, nothing to “expect”, in fact nothing rarely happens. And if something did happen would anyone recognize it as a move of God or just a distraction?

Could it be that this predictability and lack of “surprise” could be a reason why people consider church boring and a factor in declining church attendance?

Surprise me!  When was the last time something exciting happened at church that caused you to want to tell someone else?  At least something good, that is. 

A pastor friend of mine made a change in his church that surprised me.  He changed up the order of their services and had the praise and worship very last.  It caused a stir in the peoples heart to come expecting something other than the norm.

So here is my admonition church leadership… “Surprise me” or should I expect the same old service week after week?

For another view on this subject check out: To the Polished, Predictable Church Surprise Me by Thom Schultz.
http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/156279-to-the-polished-predictable-church-surprise-me.html