Church would seem like the place where you'd be most spiritually minded and therefore most intentional; but I think often times our spirituality is inwardly focused, and we neglect the needs around us.

For me, I feel this tension between refocusing on God and reaching out to other people.  If all my time and thoughts are spent on others, then Sunday was of no profit to my spiritual refreshment.  On the other hand, I know that it's negligence to only focus on my spiritual growth.  So, where's the balance?

I think it partially depends on your responsibilities whether you're a pastor, Sunday school teacher, or regular laymen.  However, I believe there are some general guidelines that can be used across the board.

The Time for Others
From the time you walk through the doors of your church until the worship leader gets up to start the service, you have time to get into people's lives (the same is true after the service ends).  Prior to coming to church, you should have been preparing your mind for worship, and when you get to church you can then help others have the same mindset.  Intentionally work all your conversations to focus on God.  You have six other days out of the week to talk about other things, but leave Sunday for rest and reflection on God.

Figure out how you can make the most impact whether it's greeting people as they come through the lobby, or sitting down with someone specifically who you discern as being in need of encouragement.  Another thought is to help your pastor if you see him running around trying to get set up for the service.  You want to make sure he has time to prepare spiritually because he has the responsibility of shepherding the whole congregation spiritually.

The Time for God
Once the service starts, that's your time to worship God.  Take every advantage to focus all your thoughts on Him.  Don't be texting, don't be talking to your friends or spouse.  Intentionally block out distractions and use the time to focus on God and evaluating your life.

Special Situations
Occasionally you'll run into "special" situations that merit altering these prescribed methods.  Perhaps you're in church and someone leaves in the middle of the service crying.  Unless a closer friend follows after that person, don't assume someone else will take care of it or stay where you are because it's your "time for God".  Go out and see if you can help and comfort that person.

Another instance might be where you have to confront someone about their sin.  When you have an opportunity, take it.  Don't wait to do it later because you don't want your "spirit of worship ruined". Sin is serious and needs to be dealt with swiftly.  If you wait until after the service, the person might have already left or you'll get hung up with someone else.

One other thing I can think of is the matter of repentance.  If you have wronged someone else, that needs to be taken care of immediately.  So, even if it's in the middle of a message, get up and go talk to that person whether they're in the church or you need to call them.  Don't suppress the conviction of the Holy Spirit!

Controlling Your Thoughts and Emotions
Because I work for the church, I have added responsibility than the average member.  The hardest part of Sunday for me is focusing on the right things at the right times.  It's difficult to sit in the service whether we're singing or listening to preaching and not be thinking about all the things that need to be done and all the people that need to be talked to in that service.

Fight hard!  Don't let those thoughts creep into your mind and take away from your time with God.  The same goes when you have a conversation with someone going through a really hard time.  Don't let their problems become your problems.  An old professor of mine used to say, "Don't let others go on a shopping spree with your emotional credit card."  Trust God to take care of those problems and encourage others with that truth, but don't allow those things to keep you from worship on Sundays.

So that's the short and simple of it.  Does this ring true for you or do you struggle with other things on Sundays?  I'm curious what you've learned and found to be helpful.