Unacceptable behavior in church.

[Brad the Baptist]

Even if folks come in late, give glory to God that at least they came. So what if they get up to get a drink of water, at least they came. So what if the guy burps, he came to church. So what if they're whispering back and forth, they came! What they do in church is between them and the Lord. Focusing on what others are doing or not doing is not helping YOU at all. Focus on YOU. Focus on quieting your heart and your mind to listen to what the Lord is trying to teach you through your pastor's sermon.

The same people come to church late. The same guy burps in church almost every Sunday and every mid-week Bible study. The same people get up and grab another donut or drink during the time the pastor prays. No, the focus is NOT on me, the focus should be on the house of the Lord, and respect that should be shown. Would people who show up to work 20 minutes late still have a job? Maybe, and maybe not.

I get what you're saying and can appreciate that. I take notes and keep my focus on the message. BUT... take today for example. One guy was playing football on his iPhone. A girl was Facebooking. A couple was text messaging back and forth. How did I know? The flashing of a touchdown and the vibration of a receiving text message. I'm not the only one who has a problem with this and I purposely get up and move if it comes a distraction.

Disregard for manners in the house of the LORD is what the problem is, and speaking with my pastor tonight, he agrees- and will say something next week. Like I told him, some people are at different levels in their walk with Christ. First-time visitors shouldn't be subjected to a guy carelessly belching every week.

The question wasn't what I can and cannot deal with, it was about unacceptable behavior. There should be a standard, and that standard begins with respect in God's house. Not just respect for other people, but for the message being preached.

 

[robycop3]

We go to church to HONOR 7 WORSHIP GOD. Never mind the farmer who shows up in bib overalls during planting or harvest season. Never mind someone who may come in 5 minutes late. But serving food & drink during a service unless it's Communion is wrong, I believe. Every church member knows what time the service begins & generally when it ends, so obe should time his/her bathroom breax accordingly. (Yes, I know everyone is sometimes gonna have a "Must-go every 10 minutes" occasion due to illness, etc.) And one can help with the bathroom time by not drinking a large amounta liquid before church.

But I must wonder if those who are chronically late by more than just a coupla minutes are really interested in learning from their pastor or worshipping God. Can't speak for anyone else, but I always wanna hear EVERYTHING the pastor has to say in a given service.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

The only one I can really defend is the belcher. It could be a medical condition.

If people need to get up and go to the bathroom, that may be a medical condition too, but then they should be seated nearest the door. That's what I do, if I find I can't sit still. Maybe I'm having a very high pain day and I have to get up and stretch to keep from being in agony. I'll sit by the door rather than up front where I usually do. If it's really bad, I'll even stay outside the door of the sanctuary, so I can still hear the sermon but I'm not disturbing anyone else.

I do have questions about the chronically late. It sends the message, "I don't really want to be here, but I do want to be able to tell people I go to church, so here I am." Whispering back and forth, and snacks or drinks during the service, I don't get that.

One thing that gets under our pastor's skin is cell phones. He's mentioning that all the time. Yes, we know it could be important, but so is praising the Lord. Please, just put them on vibrate. Then take the call outside. And again, sit next to the door if you think it's going to happen..

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I definitely see where you are coming from. I can not stand people being late. Never dealt with a burger in church. I am sure it would annoy me. People going and coming
don't bother me.

I dont like the modern music played during the 1st part of church so I skip it and come in late and sit in the back. I also dont like long boring services so I do get up and use the facilities....better than falling asleep. Would rather listen to the blessed sound to a baby crying to the droning on of someone who cant give a good sermon.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

The same people come to church late. The same guy burps in church almost every Sunday and every mid-week Bible study. The same people get up and grab another donut or drink during the time the pastor prays. No, the focus is NOT on me, the focus should be on the house of the Lord, and respect that should be shown. Would people who show up to work 20 minutes late still have a job? Maybe, and maybe not.

I get what you're saying and can appreciate that. I take notes and keep my focus on the message. BUT... take today for example. One guy was playing football on his iPhone. A girl was Facebooking. A couple was text messaging back and forth. How did I know? The flashing of a touchdown and the vibration of a receiving text message. I'm not the only one who has a problem with this and I purposely get up and move if it comes a distraction.

Disregard for manners in the house of the LORD is what the problem is, and speaking with my pastor tonight, he agrees- and will say something next week. Like I told him, some people are at different levels in their walk with Christ. First-time visitors shouldn't be subjected to a guy carelessly belching every week.have you asked the if hr has a health issue?

.

 

[Berean]

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I believe a certain amount of decency (respect) needs to be shown when in the house of the Lord.

I go to a small Baptist church, with less than 50 members. Constantly, people show up late. I can see once in a while, but many people show up 15 to 20 minutes late into the service- and it's usually the same people. Then, it never fails. Some people get up constantly to get a drink, go to the bathroom, whisper back and forth, grab a refill on coffee or another donut, and one guy even has a bad habit of belching.

The pastor, who has spoke up about these issues, seems to be ignored. I have spoken to some of these people myself, and I get a bunch of excuses, yet it keeps happening.

I'm not very eloquent with my words. I don't know what to say to these people, even after they've been told. This type of behavior gets my blood pressure up, and sometimes I have to pray to get my focus back on the sermon. Is it me? Or has anyone else had experience with this?

~ Brother Brad

 

[Berean]

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I believe a certain amount of decency (respect) needs to be shown when in the house of the Lord.

I go to a small Baptist church, with less than 50 members. Constantly, people show up late. I can see once in a while, but many people show up 15 to 20 minutes late into the service- and it's usually the same people. Then, it never fails. Some people get up constantly to get a drink, go to the bathroom, whisper back and forth, grab a refill on coffee or another donut, and one guy even has a bad habit of belching.

The pastor, who has spoke up about these issues, seems to be ignored. I have spoken to some of these people myself, and I get a bunch of excuses, yet it keeps happening.

I'm not very eloquent with my words. I don't know what to say to these people, even after they've been told. This type of behavior gets my blood pressure up, and sometimes I have to pray to get my focus back on the sermon. Is it me? Or has anyone else had experience with this?

~ Brother Brad

 

[Berean]

I Attend a rather large BC (700 Sunday AM) We have people coming just for the Word. They come in 15 to 20 min late because they don't like music program.

 

[saved41199]

The question wasn't what I can and cannot deal with, it was about unacceptable behavior. There should be a standard, and that standard begins with respect in God's house. Not just respect for other people, but for the message being preached.

Again...why worry about everyone else? Worry about you and let the rest worry about themselves. What is the point of paying attention to everyone else? As I said above...I have no idea what other people are doing during service because I'm focused on what I'm doing.

 

[Brad the Baptist]

Again...why worry about everyone else? Worry about you and let the rest worry about themselves. What is the point of paying attention to everyone else? As I said above...I have no idea what other people are doing during service because I'm focused on what I'm doing.

I'm an usher at my church. Complaints about distractions regarding the same behavior by the same people should be addressed. Perhaps you're from the generation that doesn't understand respect for the house of God. In which case, your point is taken.

 

[JamesL]

I think part of the problem is thinking that that building is the house of God, and that there's a particular part of the building that's holier than the rest of the property.

do you allow drinks in the parking lot? it's a meeting place for believers, not a temple.

 

[tyndale1946]

Again...why worry about everyone else? Worry about you and let the rest worry about themselves. What is the point of paying attention to everyone else? As I said above...I have no idea what other people are doing during service because I'm focused on what I'm doing.

I agree with this sister... I heard this comment from one of our able ministers... A person came up to him after the service and said... Brother I didn't get a thing our of your sermon... The preacher commented... Well maybe you didn't bring anything to get it with... Did you get that?... Did you come to the house of the Lord to analyze or criticize?... Concern your self with message and the messenger that brings it... You did bring your Bible and follow along... There has been times in church that I thought the minister through the Lord was talking to me personally and there was no one else there... Even though the church was full... Ever had that experience?... Brother Glen

 

[saved41199]

I'm an usher at my church. Complaints about distractions regarding the same behavior by the same people should be addressed. Perhaps you're from the generation that doesn't understand respect for the house of God. In which case, your point is taken.

Sweetheart...I'm from the generation that if I fidgeted in church I got a pinch and the look of death from my mother. And one last time, what business is it of yours what others do? Isn't there something in the bible about the log in your eye vs. the mote in your brother's eye?

 

[saved41199]

I agree with this sister... I heard this comment from one of our able ministers... A person came up to him after the service and said... Brother I didn't get a thing our of your sermon... The preacher commented... Well maybe you didn't bring anything to get it with... Did you get that?... Did you come to the house of the Lord to analyze or criticize?... Concern your self with message and the messenger that brings it... You did bring your Bible and follow along... There has been times in church that I thought the minister through the Lord was talking to me personally and there was no one else there... Even though the church was full... Ever had that experience?... Brother Glen

Oh yes...more than once. There have been times that I've sat and cried because it felt like the Lord was sitting next to me talking to me.

 

[tyndale1946]

Sweetheart...I'm from the generation that if I fidgeted in church I got a pinch and the look of death from my mother. And one last time, what business is it of yours what others do? Isn't there something in the bible about the log in your eye vs. the mote in your brother's eye?

Me too!... In my generation you went to church and behaved yourself... Spare the rod?... Sometimes I think my Dad would wear out his belt... I think the problem in some churches (and ask some of the older Christians on here)... In our day if our parents weren't there an older brother or sister would step in... The dear old saints of God would take no guff and they were usually older than your parents... And their parents in their generation raised them the same way... There is a generation gap, a big one and its filtered into the church... There is an old saying "The apple doesn't fall to far from the tree"... The reason I behave myself in the house of God, is I was TAUGHT TO... By my parents and the dear saints of God who were wiser than me and knew how to handle a snotty rebellious child, just as the Lord instructed... Brother Glen

 

[saved41199]

Oh, my children knew better too...My oldest is 34...they all know the "mom look"...

True story: My older son was in the Army. In boot camp his DI was up in his face screaming at him. He just smirked at the DI. DI asked him what was so funny. Son's answer? "my mama can make you cry". Son won't let me say this to his face, he gets embarassed so I'll say it here...he is my hero. He's a 2 time combat vet, has a purple heart, suffered a TBI when his tank ran over an IED in Iraq. I think my son is an absolute hero...

 

[Brad the Baptist]

Sweetheart...I'm from the generation that if I fidgeted in church I got a pinch and the look of death from my mother. And one last time, what business is it of yours what others do? Isn't there something in the bible about the log in your eye vs. the mote in your brother's eye?

Sweetheart? It isn't just me who has this problem and is being distracted. Perhaps you need to read your Bible a little bit more. This isn't about judging someone, it's about disorder and unacceptable behavior in the church. God's house. If you can't see that, I don't know if you'd understand anything else. We have a very small church. Many of these younger members are very disruptive, and I... as an usher... need to support my pastor who has already mentioned this disturbance. [edited name calling]

 

[saved41199]

So, what's with the name calling? You incorrectly attributed certain things to me, not realizing that I am all grown up (and over 50). I still think you need to worry about you and let the pastor deal with the other issues. People are responsible for what THEY do or don't do. Don't like the disruptions? Find another church or keep walking around with the crummy attitude. You pick.

 

[Brad the Baptist]

[insult removed]

 

[saved41199]

[insult removed]

Considering how little you know about me...I am insulted. You don't like what I'm saying...that's one thing...to be called a name is quite another. To deal with your rudeness...well...I'm done with that...