Should Churches Restrict Mobile-Cell Phone Use During Services?

[HeDied4U]

I also work in a C-Store - I hate it when a customer comes in gabbing on the phone - throws a 20 on the counter and says pump 5, in between sentences of his phone conversation.

I feel your pain. I work at the front desk of a hotel and half of the time, no wait, make that most of the time, when a guest comes to the counter while on their phone, I have no idea if they're talking to me or the person on the other end of the "line." No manners whatsoever.

I've lost count of the number of times I've replied to something I thought was being said to me but turned out to be said to the person they were talking to.

 

[Salty]

Pastor, you don't know Peter from Jonah, and you need to learn how long Jonah was in that fish.

That is the whole point - to see if "Brother Joe" is actually listening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Adonia]

Absolutely! People are supposed to be there to worship God and focus all their attention to that end. People need to leave the darned things in the car!

 

[Shadowlands]

This might be a risky endeavor, but consider purchasing cell-jamming equipment
for your church is experiences frequent and out-of-control mobile-cell use during
every Sunday service, or whenever you gather as a crowd.

I found the best equipment at www.jammer-store.com

I use this equipment when security is paramount (in a specific situation involving
unsaved people away from the church) and everyone has a cell-phone.

 

[after5cst]

I believe the local church should maximize its opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission. It must make a judgement call on whether reducing distractions by limiting cell phone access is worth risking driving away the local population.

I believe that where I live, cell phone service and internet access is nearly a mandate. While users may be rude by doing non-church related things (checking scores, etc.) in service, I would much rather them be in service than not.

I believe unnecessary illegal acts (just as jamming in the US, see Jamming Cell Phones and GPS Equipment is Against the Law) are counterproductive the presentation of the Gospel.

 

[Reynolds]

I believe the local church should maximize its opportunities to fulfill the Great Commission. It must make a judgement call on whether reducing distractions by limiting cell phone access is worth risking driving away the local population.

I believe that where I live, cell phone service and internet access is nearly a mandate. While users may be rude by doing non-church related things (checking scores, etc.) in service, I would much rather them be in service than not.

I believe unnecessary illegal acts (just as jamming in the US, see Jamming Cell Phones and GPS Equipment is Against the Law) are counterproductive the presentation of the Gospel.

I agree. What I have noticed over the years is that good preachers don't have a problem keeping the attention of the audience.

 

[Salty]

I ... While users may be rude by doing non-church related things (checking scores, etc.) in service, I would much rather them be in service than not. ..l.

What good is it doing them to be physically present - but not paying attention!

 

[Don]

Please note, folks, that if you have an on-call doctor in your congregation, who doesn't receive an emergency call because you have a jammer in place -- you could be opening your church up to a lawsuit, especially if it results in a loss of life.

Salty - I understand what you're saying, but I disagree. Feel free to ban them in your congregation.

 

[MaryHowe]

My church has a mobile app with the sermon notes and fill in the blanks. I love it. It helps me stay focused on sermon. So many people are using phones and tablets for their Bibles, I don't see how they can restrict it. It is a parent's responsibility to monitor their children. If they are not bring disruptive, I think folks need to MYOB.

 

[Salty]

My church has a mobile app with the sermon notes and fill in the blanks. I love it. It helps me stay focused on sermon. So many people are using phones and tablets for their Bibles, I don't see how they can restrict it. It is a parent's responsibility to monitor their children. If they are not bring disruptive, I think folks need to MYOB.

Following along the sermon with an app is one thing -
BUT if someone - (kids, teens or (age-wise) adults are watching the NFL game, playing Pac-Man - or checking the latest Hollywood gossip - and now they start laughing or making other noises - than it IS MY BUSINESS.

 

[MaryHowe]

Following along the sermon with an app is one thing -
BUT if someone - (kids, teens or (age-wise) adults are watching the NFL game, playing Pac-Man - or checking the latest Hollywood gossip - and now they start laughing or making other noises - than it IS MY BUSINESS.

My point was, if they are not being disruptive. If they are quiet, then quite frankly, it is not your business.

 

[MaryHowe]

Absolutely! People are supposed to be there to worship God and focus all their attention to that end. People need to leave the darned things in the car!

I use mine during the sermon to follow along on our church app. Sorry, mine stays with me.

 

[Rob_BW]

My point was, if they are not being disruptive. If they are quiet, then quite frankly, it is not your business.

So what goes on in the pews isn't the pastors business? Can't say that I agree with that, disruptive or not.

 

[Rolfe]

I hear that illegal cell phone jamming devices from China are fairly easy to order online...

We have more powerfult tools at work: AN/VLQ-12 CREW Duke Electronic Warfare System | SRC, Inc.

I could have used one of those those nights I used to be on call. *laugh*

 

[Salty]

My point was, if they are not being disruptive. If they are quiet, then quite frankly, it is not your business.

1) - it will probably not be quite 2) then why did they even bother coming? 3) what they do in the pew is the pastors (and leaders) business. 4) what they are doing may be affecting visitors and/or non-Christians

 

[Salty]

My point was, if they are not being disruptive. If they are quiet, then quite frankly, it is not your business.

Did you see the first sentence of my reply in post # 30

 

[Reynolds]

This might be a risky endeavor, but consider purchasing cell-jamming equipment
for your church is experiences frequent and out-of-control mobile-cell use during
every Sunday service, or whenever you gather as a crowd.

I found the best equipment at www.jammer-store.com

I use this equipment when security is paramount (in a specific situation involving
unsaved people away from the church) and everyone has a cell-phone.

You are really going to commit a Federal offense?

 

[Salty]

You are really going to commit a Federal offense?

Well, the liberals insist of separation of church and State

 

[saved41199]

I don't even own a cell phone. Don't want one, don't need one. However...I think it's wise to worry more about what YOU are doing rather than what everyone else is doing...I seem to remember something about worrying about the mote in your brother's eye and ignoring the log in your own eye.

 

[Salty]

I don't even own a cell phone. Don't want one, don't need one. However...

I used to have a smart phone or I-phone ( dont really know the difference.) got fed up with it. Went to Walmart and bought a $20 flip phone. The only reason I have it is for my business- I teach a driving class - and potential attendees want to talk to a real person -