{"id":817,"date":"2026-06-08T20:03:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T20:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/calvinlangton.com\/?p=817"},"modified":"2026-06-08T20:04:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T20:04:01","slug":"amen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/calvinlangton.com\/?p=817","title":{"rendered":"AMEN–The End?"},"content":{"rendered":"

AMEN\u2014The End?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In many churches, there is a rush for the door at the final Amen or benediction.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Nothing wrong with that.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But at church on \u200bSunday, I noticed something a little different. \u00a0 There was a rush for the door, but a substantial percentage of people did not.\u00a0 \u00a0 They were taking the time to form small clusters and check in with one another.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u201c<\/span>How did your week go?\u00a0 How is your move going? \u00a0 It will take years to get settled. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>How is that Grandson doing?\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Just people checking in with friends.\u00a0 Some groups are huddled in prayer.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>After a time,\u00a0groups\u00a0would break up as others formed.\u00a0 People sharing lives.\u00a0 Connecting.\u00a0\u00a0\u200bWe came\u00a0to worship and focus on our Spiritual lives, but also had time to build community.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>One of the last comments I overheard was\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>I didn\u2019t see _______ today.\u00a0 I’d better give them a call and see how they are doing.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Over time, the groups shifted,\u00a0 dwindled,\u200b and moved toward the door, often with a hug.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to songs, sermons, prayers, and communion, Community is a valuable resource for the struggling attendee. Community is\u00a0also church. A vital aspect of the Church.\u00a0 Don\u2019t miss it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Hang around. \u201cAmen\u201d may not mean it’s over. You may find that a lot of church goes on in the lobby between, before, and after Worship.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

AMEN\u2014The End? In many churches, there is a rush for the door at the final Amen or benediction.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Nothing wrong with that.\u00a0 \u00a0 But at church on \u200bSunday, I noticed something a little different. \u00a0 There was a rush for the door, but a substantial percentage of people did not.\u00a0 \u00a0 They 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