Are chronically late people seeking attention?
Question:
Dear Minister,
Have you ever encountered members who want to be noticed or seen by others? For example, I know a husband and wife who almost always come in after class on Sunday mornings and walk in when everyone else is seated and the announcements have started. They always sit down in the front, too. It's almost like they do it on purpose. Have you ever encountered this, or am I just being paranoid?
Thank you.
Answer:
You and I are not mind-readers. We cannot know what motivates people unless we ask and they tell us. Perhaps they are choosing to come in late to be seen by others. But they may not see themselves as late if they arrive before worship actually starts. They may not think the announcements are important.
They may sit up front to be noticed, or they may have chosen that spot because they have difficulty hearing or seeing. Personally, I would rather more sat up front than crowding the back pews.
It is best to give people the benefit of the doubt instead of assigning ill motives to their actions.
"Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:13-18).
