Most pastors find it revealing to see where people choose to sit in church.

            Some seek out their accustomed places (you know who you are). That’s a handy thing for pastors, because — after a little time in the congregation — if we need to talk to somebody after church, we can very often tell at a glance if that person is here.

            It’s not so handy for first-time guests who come early. They’ve never seen the invisible seating chart. Like as not, they may end up in somebody else’s favorite pew. (If you’re a regular, and this ever happens to you, please be gracious; nothing’s so off-putting to a newcomer as a steely glare from some insider!)

            Some worshipers are more accustomed to sit in the front — the “Hallelujah bench,” in the words of the old-time evangelists.

            A great many more make a beeline for the back. We all know that, in high season, there can be quite a competition for the back rows!

            There was a humorous meme that made the social-media rounds during the first days of virtual church, at the start of the Covid-19 epidemic. The photo — of a family of three sitting in front of their TV — is titled “Live Streaming Church.” Mother, father and teenage daughter are sitting together on the sofa. In front of them are two rows of empty chairs. The caption says: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

            Why is it that people prefer the back rows? Are the seat cushions any thicker back there? Or is it a case of being more like old Moses, keeping his distance from the burning bush?

On Moses’ seat

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