Distractions for a pastor or preacher

Did Eutychus have sleep apnea?

 

Maybe we should build baptist churches like the Russian Baptist Churches at the beginning of the communist era. All the pews were removed and standing room only. A lot harder to sleep on your feet.

Cheers,

Jim

 

It would require less building space and reduce the cost per square foot or square meter. The building would hold more people too. It might minimize the number of religionists because it would be too uncomfortable enough for them. A friend of mine was a missionary in a once communist country in Africa. everyone stood there. He also told me that the services were about three hours long and the sermon was about 1/2 of that time. Going to church was an all day event by the time they walked to the meeting and walked home.

 

My sister and brother in law are involved in a church that plays video tapes of the pastor preaching in areas where they want to plant a church. The response has been overwhelming. One they have enough people to hire a pastor then they do and he continues on. The agreement is that each new church which is planted agrees to plant another church.

30 churches have been planted in the past 10 years since it began.

 

I think it's the habitual late-comers that I find the most distracting. I am sure there are some people that don't know what happens in the first 5 minutes of a service.

 

First 5?? That's on time for us, I have several who come in 10 to 15 minutes late on a regular basis, that is annoying. Texting in church is an agitator and people who answer their phone in church. I've even forgotten to put my phone on vib and had it go off while I was preaching, now that was embarrassing.

Ladies with crossed arms and red faces are a sign I am doing my job, so I usually hammer the point several more times for good measure!!

 

The ushers do just that. And our people know not to come into the sanctuary during prayer. But it's still distracting. One day I'm going to give into my temptation to announce the 2nd hymn just as they are walking in with, "Let us close with Hymn # ___"

 

There was a time during one of my sermons just at the start of the invitation when one of the deacons came near me on the stage and said, "The steaks are ready."

 

What did you do? I probably would have gone on the war path at the next meeting.

 

I was shocked and went on as though I did not hear him.

 

you're a better man than I, Gunga Din :laugh: