How to serve like you are at a U2 show!

Last night my wife and I went to a U2 concert. I’ve caught nearly every tour since 1985, and this was one of the best performances I’ve seen…let’s just say these guys are consummate showmen!

I stood directly in front of the sound board. I’ve found when I have general admission tickets and I don’t want to contend with the crowd in the pit, the sound board is the best place to be. You get a perspective of the whole stage, including the video screens, and the sound is the best in the stadium. A plus: If you arrive early enough (which I did) you have a barrier to lean against.

Another plus is you get to watch people. The people-viewing show at a major concert is sometimes nearly as entertaining as the actual band. Yes, the sights, the sounds, and even the smells of the crowd at an outdoor concert are something that is unrepeatable.

And here was one of the sights that caught my attention: The stadium security guards and roving concession workers were all business. In the middle of soaring anthems accompanied by an unbelievable stage set up and thousands of people celebrating in unison, these folks wouldn’t so much as crack a smile. I started wondering, “do these people even like this band?” because they seemed less than happy to be there. But I didn’t think much about it, because I figured it was their job to be focused and stern.

I figured this until I saw a solitary security guy who couldn’t look more thrilled to be there. He was walking through the crowd with a big smile on his face. He was keeping in step with the music. For all I know he might have been breaking major protocol, but my guess is that this was a true U2 fan who was ecstatic that he was getting paid to work there that night, backstage pass and all!

I’m not trying to open up a discussion about whether stadium security needs to be somber and not smile—that very well may be the case. But witnessing this brought a question to my mind regarding those of us who work in the church.

When we are all in a worship service together, do others see us as all business, not even happy to be there, because we have so much to focus on? Or, do they feel that those of us who serve the church are thrilled that we get an opportunity to be in what we think is the greatest place on the planet at that very moment?

AS a pastor, I have to admit that there were days in my life when I served with an “all business” perspective; days when I had so much to attend to and so much I was responsible for that I lacked passion and joy. But one day, when I was frustrated and running around taking care of stuff, the Lord reminded me what a great privilege He had given me to serve Him by serving His people. That I got to help facilitate the celebration, and the growth and the fellowship. Since then I wake up early on Sundays, and like a kid going to Disneyland…I can’t wait to get to church!

I think when people see a pastor, a worship leader, an usher, a kids worker, or a janitor at a church, they want to feel like that person has passion for his or her assignment and is thrilled to be there. And I think that attitude will be contagious!