By Pastor Cliff Peppers

The question of Family Home Worship - and how we can “best” do worship – is as relevant to those of us who are now “kidless” as it is to those with family room full of mini-worshippers.

Because we have no children to manage/model Christian worship, it may actually be more difficult for us empty nesters and also singles to struggle through a live-streamed church broadcast, because we have only ourselves to be concerned with. As I discovered this last week, It is very easy to become a bit too comfortable and complacent during the service.

In the last three weeks of livestreamed services – Sue and I intentionally get up and dress in preparation for the service. Although we are not attired as we would be if we were actually gathering at church, still, we dress in a way that, for us, encourages our worship together, even at home - sort of “business casual.”

We sit next to each on the couch (or our church pewJ) just as we would in church. In marriage we are one-flesh in Christ and being right next to Sue encourages my heart to be entwined with hers as we worship and pray together. Sometimes we even hold hands (oh no!). Being close also allows us to share Bibles and occasionally our thoughts, too.

Yes, we sing out loud together. It’s a little terrifying since we don’t have all of you around us – but it is sweet to just worship in song no matter the sound. We thank God for Psalm 100 that speaks of making a “joyful noise.” That we can do!

Oh yes, we are a little rebellious at times. Coffee is allowed in our “home sanctuary” of which we take grateful advantage of. We can’t make that a habit though. We will be back in church soon, Lord willing.

My encouragement for us all is to not become too complacent, too informal, in the comfort of our homes. This last week I found myself getting up during the service to get another cup of coffee and realized that, although I was hearing the sermon – I was no longer worshipping. My focus took a detour from worship to an external and all-together unnecessary task. Worship is more than hearing – which involves focusing our gaze solely on Christ, with meditation and reverence for God and truth of His word.