from the University
Evangelical Methodist Church Newsletter, Issue 4
It was a peaceful Sunday evening, shortly before service. Just in time for David to
start the choruses, a thunderous and sadly familiar din of bass guitar and drums
filled the sanctuary. Our neighbors behind us were having a party and, though we
weren’t invited, they were polite enough to ‘share’ their music with us.
Certainly they weren’t conscious of our meeting times, yet alone aware if it were even
Sunday. Randy Jackson and I went over to introduce ourselves and ask them if they
wanted to join us for evening service. After turning us down, we asked them to turn
down their stereo. I’ll give them some credit—They were friendly to us and they did
turn down the volume. Only by about 5 decibels, but it was technically quieter. (Still
annoying, though.)
From what I can gather from the previous generations, there was a time in America
when people respected the privacy of others: When you could sleep at night without
being awakened by an african-esque car stereo system or a flatulent hot-rod muffler,
when you could walk down a sidewalk without 15 dogs cursing your every step, or
when folks respected the right of a church to peacefully assemble for a few hours per
week and the only disruptive sound before worship were church bells. During this
morning’s service, I heard another neighbor’s lawn mower buzzing.
There is a positive note to this problem: Each time I heard a neighbor carelessly
disrespecting our solemn assembly, I began to feel COMPETITIVE. I was singing
louder, shouting AMEN enthusiastically, and a heightened feeling of brotherhood
swept away any differences I had with my Christian brethren. Could it be that
competition makes us stronger? Why is it that the Church must be persecuted
before a revival begins? Am I not wise enough to be enthusiastic in times of peace
and tranquillity? Those distractions we keep hearing are the drum-beats of Satan’s
army approaching to destroy Texas and America as we know it. Are we to idly sit by
until somebody PHYSICALLY invades our service? I draw the line right here! From
this day forward, everybody I know will hear the good news of Jesus Christ,
competition or not.
God commands us to love our neighbors, and I plan to do just that. I have met many
of the people on our street and have found them to be outgoing and cordial.
However, if I would have ignored the loud stereo, or just called the police, I would
have never felt the drive to become more evangelical. To those innocently loud
neighbors who may read this newsletter, I say, "Thank you"! I am stronger today for
hearing your opinion of the Church. And by the way, a BIG party is going down soon
when Jesus comes back. You’re all welcome to join! Come visit some Sunday and
we’ll show you how to RSVP with Christ. (If you think your sound system is cool, wait
until you hear the angels in full chorus!)