The Space In Between

I have discovered that some Christians do not know what to do with even the shortest bits of silence in a corporate worship service. Some Christians wonder what will happen when someone coughs or a child cries or someone unwraps a candy in the midst of a "time of silence." Others feel uncomfortable when there are seconds of silence between songs while the musicians turn the pages of their music or get ready to count off for a new song. What about those who feel uncomfortable with a lack of silence in corporate worship?

In a recent article in EFCA Today called "Wind in Our Sails: The Holy Spirit in Corproate Worship" pastor Kevin Navarro wrote, "...some people teach that you must sing a set of worship choruses with no dead space or awkward transitions, so that people can 'get into the presence of God' more easily than with a start/stop approach. This is simply too formulaic." Amen! I believe that God can speak to us in an extended music set without any pauses, but I also believe that God also speaks to His people in quiet places and in quiet ways. Just read the account of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:9-18.

We should not be afraid of silence in our corporate worship gatherings. Whether the silence is merely pragmatic or programmed to facilitate a profound encounter with the Almighty, we should embrace silence and practice it together. Perhaps such times of silence would enable us together to hear that "still small voice" of God.