Irritations/Distractions In The Pews

children getting up going to the restroom.
children eating suckers
parents letting small children stand on the pew backs during singing
giggling and talking during the offertory
teenagers snuggling up on the back row
tech guy playing on the computer and messing up the power point
#1 - cleavage


Gee, now I feel like a grouch! My perspective comes from the choir loft.

 

In one church, there was a couple who constantly turned about and carried on a conversation during the service and in particular during the sermon. I didn't want to mention this from the pulpit.

The following Sunday, I entered the sanctuary from the back door and conducted the entire service from the back. Wow! No turning about. This lasted for a few weeks, but they persevered and got back at it......

There is a partial solution. Start whispering part of your sermon. Funny how their conversation stops and they start paying mind.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I tend not to get that distracted much to the point of complaint.

Why?

1. Because I am diabetic and have to go to the bathroom during the service sometimes. (I always try to go before the service starts, too.)

2. Because I have sat with children over the years, and there is some level of natural noise that comes from this.

3. Because there is always something to complain about.

 

Thankfully, the choir sits behind me. I don't have to view the cleavage.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Fussy or crying babies. Even babies that aren't crying but making a lot of loud talking/burbling noises should be taken out, but they rarely are. Everyone in the service can hear them but the parents seem to ignore this.

It's the same at restaurants and cafes and even libraries (!) - parents think everyone should put up with their babies and children no matter how loud or irritating they are. This may be okay for some very family friendly places, but should not go on in churches or other places.

 

Ringing cell phones, beepers, women who talk all through the service, noisy children and screaming babies with parents who do nothing about either. One of the most disruptive children I've ever seen was the young daughter of a visiting missionary. The mother did nothing there either. It seems to me that the worst kids in the church are the preacher's kids--most of the time.

 

when parents don't want to teach their kids how to act in worship service, they play all over the place climb on the pews, standing up, walking on the pews, toys waved in front of you.
beeping watchs.

 

We sit on the fourth row, so I don't see most of what goes on behind me. There are, however, a gaggle of older ladies a few rows back who like to carry on conversations during church... and some of them are hard of hearing.

Most are pretty good about taking out a fussy child. Those who weren't are no longer a part of our church as they have moved to another congregation.

 

As I stand up to preach so faithfully for the past 22 years-----I can honestly say that I have their undivided attention!!!!!!!!!!

Ya, right!!!!!!!

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

The one thing that I find distracting isn't so much with others, but with me is when I go to church with an upset stomach. When things are quiet or while pastor is preaching & my stomach starts churning or making strange noises, I find that distracting & I'm sure is distracting to others.

Another thing I find distracting is having a child behind you who is kicking the back of the pew. Anytime I acted up in church, my dad would snatch me up by the arm, take me outside in front of the church & whip me. It was effective after the first 3 or 4 whippings. There was nothing worse than getting a church whipping. That was worse than getting the after church whipping.

 

If I find things in my area distracting, I just get up and move. Why be frustrated.

 

Quote: Wow! The choir loft at your church must really be close to the pews and the slope must really be awfully steep. I don't think that I could see down the neckline of women's clothing from my choir loft. Since this is a stumbling block to you, perhaps you shouldn't sing in the choir. :flower:
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I fear the neckline has lowered in this modern era to match the Victorian age. One does not have to stretch his vision at all.

But then, men have been going topless in public for years!

Cheers,

Jim

 

What distracts me? Nothing.

Had a little boy (about 3) escape from his mother. He pushed his toy John Deere tractor right down the center aisle - making motor noises on the way - around the lectern and between my feet. I just picked him up and carried him back to his embarrassed mother and never missed a beat.

Many summers ago, it was hot and we had all the doors in the church open. Out treasurer, who lived a few blocks away, had a German Shepherd named Moses. During the pastoral prayer, Moses snuck into the sanctuary and came right to me. Kind of a funny feeling to have a cold dog's nose touch your hand when you have your eyes closed. Finished the prayer without a hitch. You should've seen the look on her face when the amen was said and there was Moses calmly sitting next to me.

 

:thumbsup:And who said dogs wouldn't go to Heaven??!!:thumbsup:

 

We had a deacon in one church who would fall asleep when the preaching started and didn't stir until the last "Amen."

 

The churches I've gone to weren't big enough to get away from noisy brats, loud talking, or other irritating noises. I never cease to be amazed at how thoughtless and inconsiderate some people are.

We had a guy in one church who set his watch to beep at 12 noon. It was loud and could be heard no matter where you sat.

 

thus creating a distraction for another

 

I will say people are thoughtless.

Back in the day when watches used to beep, I thought, you have got to be kidding, because most churches I have been in went well past 12:00. Makes me wonder why these people didn't go elsewhere.