Distractions

"It is our goal at Elevation [Church] to offer a distraction free environment for all our guests..." That was the response from a church who has found itself in a media firestorm after reportedly escorting a mother and her young disabled son from the Easter worship service when he shared an audible "Amen." My initial response was one of shock and anger because I, too, have been told that I was a distraction due to my health issues and was asked to leave my Christian college where I was studying for the ministry. I remember thinking, "Sure, I have chronic illness, but don't I deserve to have a life too?"

I really wanted to be sure I had the whole story and not just a bunch of one-sided media hype. When I spoke with Campus Pastor John Bishop, he admitted that "distraction was a poor choice of words" in this case and that they were trying to communicate that anyone exhibiting distracting behaviors like "ringing cell phones, people leaving from the front row and trying to go back to that same seat, or other loud noises" was encouraged to use the overflow area, which he says is about 20 feet from where Helms and her son were seated before they were relocated. According to Bishop, Helms was discreetly approached by an usher he describes as "an incredible man" on two occasions to make her aware the overflow room was available, but when her 12-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy, continued to make loud, unintelligible sounds (his mom says he was saying "Amen"), they were asked to move to the area where they could "have the exact same message and experience" without disturbing others. The pastor also explained, "There is no rule that keeps anybody out of the auditorium" and that "most people will remove themselves" to the overflow area if they are in one of these types of situations.

I'm a preacher's kid, so I understand the need for things to be done "decently and in order" and especially for people to have an opportunity to hear the life-changing message of the gospel. But I have to wonder where we draw the line. I was assured that Elevation Church doesn't discourage others from shouting "Amen" or being expressive in worship...unless it becomes a distraction. I guess because people could not understand Jackson Helms' expressions of worship, it was unacceptable. I'm just not sure what exactly should have been done in that situation. And on a personal note, I'm often afraid that my cataplexy attacks could distract others who may think I've fallen asleep, or that I really shouldn't sing in the choir because of the possibility of experiencing muscle weakness and collapsing before the congregation. Should I just not serve at all so I don't disturb anyone's experience?

This was a tough topic for me because it hit so close to home. But I can't help but think it's so easy to view people and their problems as a distraction instead of an opportunity for us to have compassion, to reach out, and to even learn from them. Even Jesus' apostles felt that children wanting to see Jesus were a distraction, but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them." And when Jesus was preaching, some men tore off the roof to lower a paralyzed man down to be touched by the Healer. I bet that wasn't on the Order of Service!

I'm sure Bishop and the usher involved weren't trying to embarrass anyone or cause them to feel unwelcome. And from the statement the church later issued, it's clear they have programs for those with special needs and are doing more to learn about how to provide a better experience for them in the future. In 18 years of living with chronic illness I've learned that people do not understand what it's like to live with illness or disability, and they probably never will unless they experience it personally or through a loved one. They'll likely never appreciate the valiant effort it takes physically and emotionally for someone like us to even make it to a worship service. But we can all be a little more understanding and loving, realizing that church is not a building or a well-orchestrated performance, but a group of people who love the Lord and want to grow and share our lives with others like us. But life is chaotic, it's loud, and it's sometimes distracting to our vision and expectations. Let's make room for those distractions, even if someone tears off a roof now and then!