I sit in church on Sunday morning and I look around at those in attendance, wondering why they are there. Not that it is any of my business, but I am curious as to what motivates people in general. I am sure that some of the people are there because of a crisis in their life without which they would not be in church. They believe that when difficulties arise, going to church for a few Sundays will help resolve them. They do not necessarily understand the mechanism by which it happens and they are not even sure there is a cause-effect relationship but they figure they have nothing to lose except an hour or two of their Sunday morning. They may be there as part of a deal with God. They may promise to even attend regularly if God will get them out of the crisis. Whether that promise is sincere or not, they often do not return when the crisis is over until another difficulty arises. Further, if the crisis does not end, many stop attending because they think God reneged on His end of the deal. Others are there because they have been forced to attend. Perhaps a spouse has nagged them into going, or perhaps they are a child whose parents are making them go. Whatever the case, if it were up to these people they would be some place else, anywhere but church. They perceive no benefit to attending church. third group consists of people who attend regularly but who really do not fully understand why. They just know that going regularly to church makes their lives a little better. The last group consists of people who attend regularly and who understand what attendance is all about. They go whether there is a crisis or not. No one forces them to go. They do it because they know that what they receive in church fulfills an important need in their life, a need that cannot be filled any other way. But there is one other individual in church every Sunday morning. He is the focus of my attention and, I must admit, has my greatest admiration. He is the minister. He is there every Sunday because that is his job, his calling if you will. He stands in front of all of those people, knowing better than I that they are there for different reasons. He may even know who is there for what reason! Still, he treats them all the same. To those who are there because of a crisis, he gives what he has to give and trusts that even if it is not what they wanted at that moment, that it will fill a need, perhaps an even greater need than the crisis they are concerned about. He hopes that what he gives them will enable them to get through the present crisis and perhaps see the value of his ministrations in handling future crises. And in the event that new difficulties do not arise, the minister hopes that these people will see the need for his service in their lives and he teaches them to that end. He does not and can not address every person’s individual crisis from the podium. He loves them, cares for them and gives them what he has to give so they will be better, whatever the circumstances of their lives. He does not think less of them because they may not be back. I am sure he struggles with wanting people to come regularly and with their lack of faithful attendance. But you would never know it from his loving attitude toward them.To those who are there because they have to be, he shows no resentment. He does not tell them to leave if they do not want to be there. He does not get upset knowing his message is probably falling on some deaf ears. He gives his message to them simply because that is his calling. For those who do not know why they are there, he is thankful simply that they are there. He gives them the same message as the others but with the hope that the positive act of being there will one day enable them to truly understand not just that they need to be there but also why.And for the last group, those that are there for the right reasons, I am sure they are the minister’s greatest joy. They understand his message and apply it to their daily lives.But there is something interesting about his attitude toward those that truly understand. He does not show them favoritism because they are knowing ones. Neither does he ignore them because they are already “in the fold.” He gives to them, in the same manner, with the same message knowing that it can only reinforce and strengthen their understanding and prepare them to better handle life. The minister is truly worthy of that name. He serves or ministers to his people, not because they deserve it or earn it, not even because they need it. He serves because that is what it means to minister and he serves out of the depths of his knowledge, his love for humanity and his calling. Would that we all, as chiropractors, could be like him in our attitudes to those who daily come into our office. v15n3
Types of Chiropractic Practice Members