The Perks of Floor Worship

Looking back at last year, one of my regrets is that I did not participate much in floor worship. Granted, a big reason for that was that worship often started when I was mentally exhausted for the day, but I still think it would have been worth the fraction of extra effort. Luckily, I am only a sophomore with plenty of time to make up for what I missed and encourage others to do the same.

Staying Spiritually Active

At least for me, committing to a routine of reading my Bible, practicing mindfulness, etc., can be difficult. Floor worship at least provides some structure, reading and discussing Scripture with a group. Additionally, for those who mean to get in a routine but are distracted easily, joining a pre-planned worship meeting can serve as a reminder to use similar practices when on our own.

Connecting with Floormates

Again, pulling from my own experiences, I am shy, introverted, and nervous about talking to new people. I wish last year I took the time to get to know my floormates, but for me, going up to someone new and striking up a conversation is hard. However, floor worship offers an environment where people are encouraged to engage with one another. I cannot guarantee that this would work for everyone, but it is still a way to ease yourself out of your comfort zone.

Chapel Credit, Obviously

While on an ethical level, spiritual life credits should not be the primary motivation for joining floor worship, you should still take advantage of the opportunity. Especially early on, having some extra credits under your belt, besides the bi-weekly chapel, will save you from scrambling at the last second to meet the semester quota. Plus, sometimes we have unfinished assignments, our class schedules leave little time to grab lunch, etc., and some extra credits allow us some flexibility when it comes to attending mid-day chapel services.

Being Heard and Hearing Others

This ties into the first two points, but I felt it was important to give this part its own spotlight. We all have our struggles or know someone who is struggling, and regardless of your faith, having someone listen and pray for you or a loved one can at least let you know that you are not alone. The last floor worship I went to, I asked if they could pray for my family as we are in a complicated transition phase between homes. Then later, I found myself surrounded by so much love and support regarding something rather personal. Furthermore, we should take the time to extend that same love to others. Even the small act of listening and praying can mean the world to someone.

If you would like to learn more about spiritual formation on campus, you can visit huntington.edu/Campus-Ministries.