The Preacher's "Pet Peeves"

"Pastor, if I want to go to a pentacostal service, I'll just go downtown"

(Speaking of the one or two praise songs we do during the service - and there are two ladies in the church who dare to raise their hands up to about waist level.)

 

Blackbird and USN2 - I thought I recognized you!! We must go to the same church. And how about the busybody that says, "Preacher, SOMEBODY needs to go see Mr. So-n-so."

 

Prosperity doctrine, and requirment of tounges to show baptism of the HS. Can handle most other things, but these turn me red.

 

My pet peeve is when people just throw things together instead of being prepared. People not giving their best effort.

Second, is being late. I would rather be 30 minutes early than 30 seconds late.

Bro Tony

 

Hmmmm ... to single one out in the area of practical matters, being late is a huge pet peeve of mine. It shows such a lack of character and discipline and a complete disregard for other people and the ministry. And it is so easily solved. But latecomers are usually the same people all the time, and they are usually late by about the same amount of time.

Another pet peeve of mine is people who don't show up for something for no apparent reason.

 

Is there an appropriate way to address some of these peeves? For example, (not so) hypothetically- is there a good way to more directly address someone who is perpetually late- especially if it is someone in a leadership role?

 

Besides the perpetual late issue, my pet peeve is people getting up and down during the sermon, usually the same people at the same time, especially toward end of sermon.

 

How 'bout this one - the chairman of the deacons sitting on the front row picking his nose while I preach...

 

"How 'bout this one - the chairman of the deacons sitting on the front row picking his nose while I preach..."

Have you talked to him, he may need the nourishment

"Is there an appropriate way to address some of these peeves?"

No, they are totally self centered and the center of the universe it is you that is out of step with them.

We had a family of about eight that were 30 minutes for anything they attended including the sons wedding - whole clan came in 30 late.

Then there are me inlaws that were 30 minutes late for their fathers/husbands funeral I figured it was coming to told the wife we'd go separately - boy am I glad we did.

 

Oh, forgot to list my own pet. I really dislike people that are forgetful

Actually, when a series in a forum has gone on for a page without scripture and I post a verse or two and they are totally ignored. How can we not consider references that are brought to our attention?

 

That reminds me of what a children's teacher told me. She said, "What is the difference between boogers and broccoli? Kids won't eat broccoli.

Bro Tony

 

One of my pet peeves is Sunday School teachers who are constantly late, don't stay for the service and are only there on Sunday mornings.

Not being a preacher, another peeve of mine is seeing a preacher whine about what peeves him, BBird.

 

(When I get to preach..)

My biggest pet peeve has to be people looking around during the sermon. There you are, pouring your heart and soul (along with quite a bit of persperation) out in your message, working to be sure that you communicate God's word for the hour...and a deacon is admiring the window, the pastor's son is staring into the lights, one of the trustee's is asleep (another peeve), and the pastor is reading the gas bill.

Some of the others listed also apply (late, up and down, disorganization).

Does it irk anyone else when you mention a basic doctrine, but only get blank stares of ignorance from the congregation. I mean, HELLO, this is only the same bible that you have read your entire life!

In Christ,
Trotter

 

This Preacher's "Pet Peeves" are arriving late for service and then inattentiveness during worship services .

Rufus

 

Trotter,
It probably is because they HAVE NOT read the Bible...not just their entire life...but at all!

Which brings up my pet peeve...lack of devotion! Here is GOD, the creator of all things. He didn't have to give me anything, but He did. He gave me money, a home, a car, food, shelter, clothing...He gave me life (and He didn't need to do that!). Every breath I take is because of God! Oh yea... He didn't even need to save me (I know that is a topic for another section), but He did anyway! How did He do it? He allowed His Son to die for me! And what to we do? So many people end up giving God only their spare time! (If that!)

2 Corinthians 5:15 tells us why Christ died... "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."

Seems plain enough to me. Yet, too many people only live for themselves.

 

Inattentivness. Hands down.
If you aren't going to pay attention, then don't even show up. What is the point of going to church if you are not going to listen to God's man giving you God's words?

And it is not just the wandering eyes. Humans tend to do that. What irks me most is the jokers who spend the entire sermon fidgeting, looking at the bulletin, flipping through thier Bible with that "bored exspression", swatting the kids, etc...
HELLOOOOOOO! I think it is the TV generation. I really do. That one-eyed god has done much more harm to many more things than I care to think about.
In His service;
Jim

 

As far as inattentiveness goes, we do need to realize that we often play a contributing role in this as well. Simple things like voice inflection, gestures, and interesting illustrations make for a better presentation of the truth.

Often we preachers tend to claim the "leading of the Lord" when we go long winded and follow our pet issues and rabbit trails. I am finding, though, that my best prepared messages tend to be shorter than the ones I have put less time or structure into.

We need to make sure that we are truly presenting what the Lord wants to be heard, not what we think people need to hear or what interests us. This can only be accomplished by careful and diligent study and preparation. We can't complain about inattention if we are contributing to it through our lack of diligence!