And there is much to be said for the concept of silence. We live in a noisy world, and in many respects, we seem to have become so accustomed to the noise we fear the silence. We become uncomfortable when the noise ceases and look for ways to fill the void. So we should carve out times to be quiet and listen for his voice. Sunday morning worship can be a good time to do this, but asking congregants to refrain from conversation while musicians play, however softly and reverently, doesn't exactly accomplish the goal.
Church services are more than worship.
They are the way we fulfill the admonition to not neglect the gathering of ourselves together and to encourage each other. Sure, some of the conversations that take place in the moments before the service begins can be trivial and distracting to others trying to prepare for the service. But I'd rather risk the distraction than cut off the comforting words and hugs given the family returning to church after the death of a loved one or the cries of joy for the cancer patient making his first appearance after months of debilitating treatment, or the slaps on the back and encouraging words given the member who is struggling with a difficult situations, or the cooing and good-natured battling of members trying to hold the latest child born to a member. Surely these are moments of worship as well, when the community of faith acts like the loving people God has called them to be. If you seek silence to prepare for worship, turn the radio off while you drive to church.