18. Why playing Tag at Church should be Encouraged

Last year I began attending two churches.  This was after years of not gracing churches except for weddings and funerals.  I had been invited to both of these churches by friends of mine. 

          One was a rather well put together affair with a band and entertaining preaching.  The other was a more humble presentation, but I heard Grace and Love being preached.  The first church was well attended, but we sat in the dark – as one would do at a concert.  The second church less well attended, but at least I got to see who was sitting next to me.  Also, I did not have an urge to pull a lighter from my pocket and hold it aloft in respect to the band.

          For someone that strongly dislikes church, love the fellowship but not the politics, it was odd indeed to be attending two at the same time - I alternated Sundays.  Then for no particular reason I felt that I should make a choice - you know two masters and all that.  But which church to choose?

          As a kid I strongly disliked churches.  They were boring, monotonous places that were more than a challenge than I thought was fair, for this ADD kid sitting next to his crazy-making parents.  As a child I wanted to throw myself into the centre aisle while screaming “God! Save me.” Not that I thought I needed saving, but just to liven things up.  It was only my fear of my crazy-making parents arranging a personal audience with God that kept me in my seat.

          During the time of two churches, music became an issue.  My friend with church number one was bothered by the music in his church.  His complaint was that the music was poorly performed, uninspiring, and amounted to the assertion that God is big.  (Sorry John).  In church number two the music was, um, well....made the music in church number one seem polished and professional. (Sorry Pastor Dan) 

          I felt an affinity for the smaller more humble gathering of Christians, and I also was skeptical of the edgy entertaining preaching of the first church.  Yet, the other church had my friend in it, and was closer to home.  But then I got the sign from God.           

          I was at church number two, and as the worship portion of the service was happening - the congregation being led in song by the pastor on guitar - the pastor's youngest kid walked up the centre aisle holding his hands over his ears.

          In that moment I knew that I was standing in the right church.

          The kids in my church form a rather noisy and rambunctious contingent.  Jesus loves kids.  I wonder whether our singing songs – I don't know if they can be called hymns - is as pleasing to the Lord as the laughter, giggling and chatter of children.  After all, though we adults are pleased to make a joyful noise to the Lord, the kids do this with less effort and more joyfully and I think with more integrity.

          On Sunday mornings, at some point in the service, generally between the singing and the announcements, we will be asked to welcome the people sitting next to us.  Usually they are the same people we welcomed last week; for we stick to sitting in the same seats like we bought season tickets for them.  Those who are new also know that they are being welcomed because we have been told to do so.

          Last weekend, the rambunctious contingent got playing a game of tag before the service.  As the worship team got a last minute warm up/rehearsal in, the kids raced down rows of chairs, ran around tables and such while swapping pokes, prods and slaps as being “It” changed from kid to kid.  I sat writing on my tablet as one of the kids came running up to me and touched me saying "You're it."

          I am not sure whether it was the addition of a large man, or if someone had come close to wiping out an innocent bystander, or if there was something else, but we were then told that playing tag was not appropriate.  Something about that this was church, I think.  I found the timing was suspicious - I join in and we get shut down.

          But the message seemed to be, “Hey, we getting ready to make a somewhat joyful if not discordant noise to the Lord, don’t distract us!”

          So my question is....why is it not appropriate to play tag in church? Do you really think it is better to sing songs? Would it not be better to have a game of musical chairs than the halftime stretch, that way you wind up with different neighbours.  A game of tag would raise a joyful noise to the Lord.

          I know this may rub some people the wrong way – but all religion is made up.  I am not debating the divinity of God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit, but what we do on Sunday mornings is what we have decided to do. 

          What if next Sunday church consisted of a large water slide down the side of a hill?  You know the ones where you get the roll of plastic and let it run down hill, then pour soap and water on it.  What if baptism consisted of a slide down that and into a pool?

          I know that this does not sound very reverent.  Um, sort of like Jesus.  But it would be fun, and it would be joyful.  For those of us who claim to have found the joy of the Lord, church still remains a rather stifled affair.  Not being very musical myself, the entire dancing, raising my hands up in the air and singing at the top of my lungs might be a bit much.  But, I am always up for a game of tag.