472. Informal Gathering on the Evening of Maundy Thursday

The theme for the evening was “How can we bring out the very best in the church?” It takes time to be perfected in our ministry. Therefore it is important to be armed with the Spirit of fear. “He who has an ear, let him hear.” For example, if we are exhorted to keep our prayers short, then everyone has to abide by that. Then it becomes blessed. We have to make a clear distinction between praying at home and at the meeting. At home your prayer only affects yourself; but at the meeting it affects everyone, and they are all to be edified. Praying long, personal prayers for parents, children, and relatives shows a lack of wisdom. Then you are not thinking of the others, but only of yourself. In our prayers we have to consider those who are present. The brother that starts the prayer meeting must be aware of this and understand the situation.

It is the same in regard to testimonies. At conferences where many ministers of the Word are present, two or three of the elder brothers should begin by bringing God’s Word. Following them, the rest should be short so the church can hear as many as possible. Everyone has to take heed to himself in this regard so that everything is done for edification. Sitting and listening in the meeting is like sitting at the table and eating. If the congregation is satisfied, no more food should be forced on them. True humility and godliness will teach everyone to behave appropriately at God’s table, just as one behaves in the world when eating together with well-mannered people.

In a songbook that was lent out at a meeting in Skien, an unknown person had written: “Speak short; long speeches miss the mark.” We thank the “unknown person” for this good exhortation.

We have to be natural both in prayers and testifying. No one should draw attention to themselves with extra gestures and so on. All faults can be eliminated if the church is humble enough to listen to the corrections of the elders. By walking in the fear of the Lord, we will become sensitive.

Anyone who speaks and has the attention of the congregation can keep speaking, but if the congregation starts getting restless, the speaker must sit down immediately. We must pay attention to the congregation while we are speaking. It can often happen that a person is driven by the Spirit of God when he starts to talk, but he then continues in his own spirit. We must stop when God’s Spirit ceases to work, because anything that comes from ourselves is not worth listening to. When everyone is alert to these things, it is very edifying and glorious when we meet together.