How not to offend, but still make known your concerns?

[gigabyte71]

At the church we are members of, the sound system has gotten so loud that my wife and I now have to wear ear plugs during music, or when any of the microphones that are set up for music. I don't want to come off as complaining, but my wife and I are not sure how much more we can tolerate. How do you approach your pastor when it appears he doesn't see any issue with the volume? Or should we just look for a new church?

 

[PreachTony]

At the church we are members of, the sound system has gotten so loud that my wife and I now have to wear ear plugs during music, or when any of the microphones that are set up for music. I don't want to come off as complaining, but my wife and I are not sure how much more we can tolerate. How do you approach your pastor when it appears he doesn't see any issue with the volume? Or should we just look for a new church?

I say it's best just to approach him and say the volume is too loud. If it's a simple matter of volume then it shouldn't be enough to drive you away from your home church. If the pastor is reasonable, he'll work with the audio team to lower the volume. If he's unreasonable about something so simple as music, then I don't know what to tell you...

 

[annsni]

There is a decibel app you can download for your phone and get a rough idea of what kind of level you are speaking of. It is important that the sound be clear but not so loud that it is actually doing damage to the people in the auditorium/sanctuary. If you have a given level, that is a great way to show "It is at XX level and anything above XX is damaging to the hearing. Is there a way to maybe lower the sound a bit to bring it into a safe level?

My daughter is studying to be an audiologist and this is one of her pet peeves. It's also one of my husband's as he formerly worked in the audio industry and has been in bands for many years. He's lost some hearing due to his past work and so he's very careful that the sound is clear and full but not loud. That takes some skill.

 

[Van]

Another point is that not all sound systems are the same. We used to have a volume problem, but when we put in a new sound system, with I believe better sound engineering, the problem went away.

One point we used was to observe that small child in the room were putting their hands over their ears. Hard to argue that that is not an indicator of a problem.

 

[Benjamin]

Walk up to pastor and be, like, real loud and say, PASTOR, I HATE TO BE A COMPLAINER BUT THE MUSIC IS SO LOUD THAT ITS MAKING US UNCONFORTABLE AND I THINK IT MIGHT EVEN BE HARMFUL TUR HEARING.

Then use Annsi’s idea and whip out the phone app.

 

[PreachTony]

Two other questions, gigabyte:

1. How big is the sanctuary/auditorium of your church?
2. How close do you sit to one of the speakers?

 

[gigabyte71]

Two other questions, gigabyte:

1. How big is the sanctuary/auditorium of your church?
2. How close do you sit to one of the speakers?

It is a double wide trailer, but only about 1/2 functions as the sanctuary. We sit on the very back row, as far from the speaker has possible, but then there are only like 6-7 rows in front of us. The music was always loud, we tried sitting on the front row but that was simply too much. So we moved back to the back row, and it was louder than we like, but not painfully loud. It almost seems like someone has slowly been increasing the volume until it has gotten to the point we can't take it without ear protection.

I thought about wearing my ear protection I use for shooting, but didn't want to really stick out that much.

 

[Salty]

It is a double wide trailer, but only about 1/2 functions as the sanctuary. ...

In that case - there is NO need for a sound system!

 

[PreachTony]

In that case - there is NO need for a sound system!

I agree, if the building is that small, why is there a sound system in the first place. Seems like a bit of overkill.

 

[HAMel]

I have to agree. You go "see the man" and tell him the volume is too loud. It's also possible his hearing has depreciated (as mine has) and he might need to have himself checked. Everything I listened to was at perfect volume to me but was too loud for all the rest.

Then, consider the size of the speakers. If they are as big as Volkswagen's then the intent is for the sound to be up.

 

[Rolfe]

Wear gun muffs to service. Explain when asked.

 

[Iconoclast]

Walk up to pastor and be, like, real loud and say, PASTOR, I HATE TO BE A COMPLAINER BUT THE MUSIC IS SO LOUD THAT ITS MAKING US UNCONFORTABLE AND I THINK IT MIGHT EVEN BE HARMFUL TUR HEARING.

Then use Annsi’s idea and whip out the phone app.

:thumbs::applause::applause::thumbs:

 

[Iconoclast]

At the church we are members of, the sound system has gotten so loud that my wife and I now have to wear ear plugs during music, or when any of the microphones that are set up for music. I don't want to come off as complaining, but my wife and I are not sure how much more we can tolerate. How do you approach your pastor when it appears he doesn't see any issue with the volume? Or should we just look for a new church?

Rock concerts are supposed to be loud.

 

[Iconoclast]

Wear gun muffs to service. Explain when asked.

Yes.....then when the music gets really loud he can fire his weapons in the air also....saying the music whipped him into a frenzy....:thumbs::thumbs:

 

[Gib]

At the church we are members of, the sound system has gotten so loud that my wife and I now have to wear ear plugs during music, or when any of the microphones that are set up for music. I don't want to come off as complaining, but my wife and I are not sure how much more we can tolerate. How do you approach your pastor when it appears he doesn't see any issue with the volume? Or should we just look for a new church?

Sounds like there is not anywhere you can sit to get away from the loudness. Are you and your wife the only ones experiencing this?

I wouldn't look for a new church just yet. He may not have any issue with it because he doesn't think anyone else has an issue with it either. I would ask to talk to him after church or during the week and just have a casual conversation with him and share your concerns. Then go from there.

 

[Aaron]

At the church we are members of, the sound system has gotten so loud that my wife and I now have to wear ear plugs during music, or when any of the microphones that are set up for music. I don't want to come off as complaining, but my wife and I are not sure how much more we can tolerate. How do you approach your pastor when it appears he doesn't see any issue with the volume? Or should we just look for a new church?

Just look for a new church. :type:

 

[T Alan]

"How not offend but still make known your concerns"

Really?? You're asking this group of folk this?? That's more rich than divinity dipped into that stuff in the middle of chocolate covered cherries!

 

[Revmitchell]

At the church we are members of, the sound system has gotten so loud that my wife and I now have to wear ear plugs during music, or when any of the microphones that are set up for music. I don't want to come off as complaining, but my wife and I are not sure how much more we can tolerate. How do you approach your pastor when it appears he doesn't see any issue with the volume? Or should we just look for a new church?

I would follow the advice given by Ann. If that fails to come to a resolution then bring in someone else to talk to him with you again. If that fails to work bring it up at a business meeting. Please be kind and let the pastor know that you will bring it up at the meeting before hand. If none of that works and the music is left to loud it may serve you and your family to attend elsewhere.

However, the latter should be a last resort and only after all possible avenues have been met. Just know that sometimes even the best intentions and the kindest hearts are met with offense. Do your best and leave the rest to God.

 

[gigabyte71]

There is a decibel app you can download for your phone and get a rough idea of what kind of level you are speaking of. It is important that the sound be clear but not so loud that it is actually doing damage to the people in the auditorium/sanctuary. If you have a given level, that is a great way to show "It is at XX level and anything above XX is damaging to the hearing. Is there a way to maybe lower the sound a bit to bring it into a safe level?

My daughter is studying to be an audiologist and this is one of her pet peeves. It's also one of my husband's as he formerly worked in the audio industry and has been in bands for many years. He's lost some hearing due to his past work and so he's very careful that the sound is clear and full but not loud. That takes some skill.

I would follow the advice given by Ann. If that fails to come to a resolution then bring in someone else to talk to him with you again. If that fails to work bring it up at a business meeting. Please be kind and let the pastor know that you will bring it up at the meeting before hand. If none of that works and the music is left to loud it may serve you and your family to attend elsewhere.

However, the latter should be a last resort and only after all possible avenues have been met. Just know that sometimes even the best intentions and the kindest hearts are met with offense. Do your best and leave the rest to God.

Thanks. I found an app to try on Sunday. I am going to approach it first as, can we turn it down some, then break out the app results if needed.

 

[Revmitchell]

Thanks. I found an app to try on Sunday. I am going to approach it first as, can we turn it down some, then break out the app results if needed.

Do not just present the app results. Do your homework and show that certain decimal levels are harmful. Find out what those are and present them with love and respect.