In their book, The 1 Thing, Thomas and Joani Schultz compiled a list of favorite rules found in churches with a police department mentality. They suggest that far too many churches have constructed their mission and ministries around the mandate of keeping rules. The more rules one keeps, the better a church member he or she is. Here's their list of favorite church rules:

- How to baptize

- Where to baptize

- Which Bible translation to use

- When to observe the Sabbath

- What to eat and drink

- What to wear

- How to celebrate the Lord's Supper

- Who may take the Lord's Supper

- Which musical instruments can be used (if any)

- What to do with candles, crosses, and flags

- How to address the clergy

- How to dress the clergy

- How women may serve

- When to stand

- When to kneel

- When to clap

- Who can use the kitchen stuff

Someone shared their personal experience with the church in the Schultz' book:

"Today I picked up my two young kids from vacation Bible school at a nearby church. I asked them what they learned. Without hesitation they said, 'When you are in a line, walk and don't talk. Look straight ahead and don't play around. When you get inside, sit quietly and don't talk or move.'

"Hoping for something a little deeper, I asked if they learned anything else. 'Yes,' they said, 'If you get up to go to the bathroom, you have to sit in the back and can't get back with your friends.'"

Of course, as you read these seeming exaggerations, just think