Talking during church

[abcgrad94]

Is it, or is it not a sign of disrespect to the speaker, musicians, and other church members to chit-chat during the singing, offering, special music, and/or the sermon? It is perfectly acceptable to "catch up" on all the latest news with your neighbor while the choir is singing? Is the offering a time for meditation, or a time to giggle behind the church bulletins?

Recently we visited a church and I was disappointed to hear at least half the congregation chit-chatting all through the announcements and congregational singing. There was no attempt to counter the frequent talking, except for a reminder to please turn off all cell phones during the service.

Is this the "norm" nowadays? Does your church have this problem? Should pastors address this issue or just ignore it as it might offend some?

 

[annsni]

It had BETTER not be the norm and hopefully you just found a rude church!! We only have talking during the greeting time but once we are called back to focus on the music/announcements/sermon/whatever, it is rude to speak to one another more than a quiet word when needed.

 

[salzer mtn]

It had BETTER not be the norm and hopefully you just found a rude church!! We only have talking during the greeting time but once we are called back to focus on the music/announcements/sermon/whatever, it is rude to speak to one another more than a quiet word when needed.

What about a loud amen?

 

[annsni]

What about a loud amen?

Well, DAT be a different story!

 

[SolaSaint]

I admit I have talked in church before but it was only a whisper to my wife every great once-in-a-while. I would imagine we have all done this before. I do see some people talking during the sermon or during a hymn that seems very unappropriate. We have a new lady at our church that likes to talk and giggle a lot and it is not a whisper. I think that is not good. We used to attend a charasmatic church several years back and there was a older lady who would start screaming and moaning and yelling very loud right in the middle of a sermon. She would even start preaching (kinda) walking up and down the isle. The regulars at this church never questioned her or thought it was out of bounds. We couldn't stay, I thought that was crazy.

 

[SaggyWoman]

Well, I know when it is in the theatre, and people talk to each other, those around just tell them loudly to shut up.

 

[SolaSaint]

I have seen preachers tell kids to be quite in church.

 

[JimmyH]

I won't say I've never seen or heard some chit chat during Sunday morning services but few and far between. Really inappropriate but that goes without saying.

 

[righteousdude2]

As a Pastor, I Handle It Like This....

Is it, or is it not a sign of disrespect to the speaker, musicians, and other church members to chit-chat during the singing, offering, special music, and/or the sermon? It is perfectly acceptable to "catch up" on all the latest news with your neighbor while the choir is singing? Is the offering a time for meditation, or a time to giggle behind the church bulletins?

Recently we visited a church and I was disappointed to hear at least half the congregation chit-chatting all through the announcements and congregational singing. There was no attempt to counter the frequent talking, except for a reminder to please turn off all cell phones during the service.

Is this the "norm" nowadays? Does your church have this problem? Should pastors address this issue or just ignore it as it might offend some?

....I quietly signal my head "HUSHER" and they remove the chit-chat members.

That is why a church employs volunteers as "hushers!" :laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[Iconoclast]

It could be an indicator of unbelief and or a lack of proper preparation for worship.The person who does this on a regular basis does not see the time as belonging to God.
If it was understood that it is the Lord's Day and we gather to hear from God in and through His word and we give ourselves to hearing with a view to obey what is being preached.

 

[Salty]

Would this question fall under this OP?

How about those who like to ask questions of the pastor during his message?

 

[Jim1999]

In one church, some members made a habit of turning about and talking. The next Sunday, I entered the church from the back, announced the opening hymn, read scripture...continue the entire service from the back. Not one couple turned about. Maybe we have the pulpit in the wrong position.

On questions during the service, I am sure the pastor will make time to answer those questions after the worship...got it?...worship service is concluded.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[righteousdude2]

Great Point...

It could be an indicator of unbelief and or a lack of proper preparation for worship.The person who does this on a regular basis does not see the time as belonging to God.
If it was understood that it is the Lord's Day and we gather to hear from God in and through His word and we give ourselves to hearing with a view to obey what is being preached.

...may I add that too often, folks come to church to socialize, and they don't know how to turn off the act of socializing once the Bible is opened, and the word is shared.

These folks are rude, like those who talk over someone in a group who has the floor, or constantly interrupts. They need to be instructed, privately at first, and if that doesn't work, a public calling out during the service would seem to fit, allowing peer pressure to take its toll!

 

[saturneptune]

Worship time is a time of reverence. If one is talking to another member, his or her mind is not focused on the Lord. Aside from that, it is rude and crude. Someone spent a lot of time preparing a sermon, music, or Scripture reading to enhance the worship experience. We are there to worship the Creator of the Universe, and our Savior, not to engage in idle chit chat, or as the Bible calls it incessant babble.

I am a firm believer that we should be in awe of the Lord during this time, and to be still and know He is God. I believe we can do without the circus antics like the loud Amens that interupt other worshippers. Usually an Amen is shouted out to let everyone else know that the pastor just made a point that you agree with. Most every point the pastor makes should be in agreement with a Christian if the pastor is preaching from Scripture.

I do not think a sermon or worship service is a time for jokes from the pulpit, day dreaming about where we are going to eat after church from the congregation, or any other action that takes away from giving honor and glory to God.

Another habit I see from time to time is passing notes back and forth on the church bulletin, or playing tic-tac-toe during the sermon. Also, and I have seen this with older members who should know better, is reading magazines or other publications than the Bible.

 

[Iconoclast]

...may I add that too often, folks come to church to socialize, and they don't know how to turn off the act of socializing once the Bible is opened, and the word is shared.

These folks are rude, like those who talk over someone in a group who has the floor, or constantly interrupts. They need to be instructed, privately at first, and if that doesn't work, a public calling out during the service would seem to fit, allowing peer pressure to take its toll!

Dude,

Sometimes follow up discussions of the sermon preached encourage others to take notes and to enter in to such discussions.

16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

If there is a time of fellowship following the morning service ,that is the best time for a follow up discussion and dealing with spiritual conversation.

 

[Jkdbuck76]

It could be an indicator of unbelief and or a lack of proper preparation for worship.The person who does this on a regular basis does not see the time as belonging to God.
If it was understood that it is the Lord's Day and we gather to hear from God in and through His word and we give ourselves to hearing with a view to obey what is being preached.

YES! I do the announcements at church every sunday morning. The choir used to chit chat while I was up there speaking. One morning, they were so loud, a large anger wave flashed over me and I was JUST about to turn around and tell them to shut their yaps, I took a deep breath and said..... NOTHING!

I stopped dead in the middle of an announcement for about 10 seconds and when the choir understood what was up, they FINALLY shut their yapping mouths. They were embarrassed to discover that I stopped talking and that their blahblahblahblah was heard by all. The good thing was that I didn't have to say anything and the next good thing is that they know not to talk while I'm talking.

At the end of the day, GOD is the focus of true worship services. Meet and greet before you step into the sanctuary.

 

[Bronconagurski]

YES! I do the announcements at church every sunday morning. The choir used to chit chat while I was up there speaking. One morning, they were so loud, a large anger wave flashed over me and I was JUST about to turn around and tell them to shut their yaps, I took a deep breath and said..... NOTHING!

I stopped dead in the middle of an announcement for about 10 seconds and when the choir understood what was up, they FINALLY shut their yapping mouths. They were embarrassed to discover that I stopped talking and that their blahblahblahblah was heard by all. The good thing was that I didn't have to say anything and the next good thing is that they know not to talk while I'm talking.

At the end of the day, GOD is the focus of true worship services. Meet and greet before you step into the sanctuary.

Very effective tactic. I used it when teaching school.

 

[just-want-peace]

Very effective tactic. I used it when teaching school.

Interesting that I had to quit teaching a few weeks ago and go in to the hall where there was a gabfest going on by a group who had just left their class.
I stopped for a few seconds, then opened my door and As graciously as I could, asked them to " hold it down a little"!
Ain't what I wanted to say, but I did restrain my emotions and hopefully I was somewhat cordial, yet firm.
Anyway I was surprised to see many of the class members nodding in approval as I came back in.
Surprising thing about this is that I'm a VERY non-confrontational person - usually!

I'm afraid that church, to many, is little more than a continuation of Saturday night's social activities.

 

[saturneptune]

Those who tolerate circus type antics during worship are just as guilty as the talkers, as are those who tolerate gossip within the confines of the church. If there is nothing to say when appropriate to talk nice or spiritual about someone, then maybe they should keep their big mouths shut. Also, it seems odd that the loud mouth amens come from those who seldom show up or show no redeemable spiritual qualities.

 

[Jkdbuck76]

Very effective tactic. I used it when teaching school.

I learned it from my wife---a school teacher.

Believe me, I was so angry for a half second there, I could have shot lightning bolts out of my fingertips like the Emperor did in Return of the Jedi.