Unacceptable behavior in church.

[annsni]

Enough with the name calling please. Remember Philippians 4:8 in your posting.

 

[Salty]

... People are responsible for what THEY do or don't do. Don't like the disruptions? ...

So at what point does it become your business?

Suppose two people start talking out loud - is that okay?
Suppose someone is listening to a ball game and turns the volume up - is that okay
Suppose someone next to you brings food in that is "crunchy" ie celery, potato chips, ect is that okay
Suppose someone starts into the church building with an excessive amount of mud on his shoes, is that okay?

 

[JohnDeereFan]

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

Unless somebody has a medical issue, no food or drink in the sanctuary. Period.

Second, if somebody has to get up to go to the restroom, that's fine. But if they have a habit of getting up and wandering around, I'd call them out from the pulpit. If they just refuse to stop, I'd say something like, "You are a valued member of this congregation and we want you to continue to be. But we can't have you constantly interrupting the service."

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

It does become my business if noise and people walking around are distracting me from hearing the sermon, learning anything, or focusing on the Lord. It does become my business if the whisperers are also trying to whisper to me while I'm trying to pay attention to what's going on. It does become my business if the food and drink gets spilled, and I'm the one cleaning it up.

So yes, there are cases where it's not always a matter of live and let live. However, I do second the motion that if it's that bad, maybe it's better to find another church.

 

[saved41199]

So at what point does it become your business?

Suppose two people start talking out loud - is that okay?
Suppose someone is listening to a ball game and turns the volume up - is that okay
Suppose someone next to you brings food in that is "crunchy" ie celery, potato chips, ect is that okay
Suppose someone starts into the church building with an excessive amount of mud on his shoes, is that okay?

Let's not get ridiculous OK? I really detest these sorts of things.

And I stand by my original statement...you worry about you. If you're doing what you should be doing, that is, paying attention to what the Lord is telling you through the sermon, you won't notice other things.

 

[TCassidy]

A biblical church is an orderly church.

1 Cor 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Let's not get ridiculous OK? I really detest these sorts of things.

And I stand by my original statement...you worry about you. If you're doing what you should be doing, that is, paying attention to what the Lord is telling you through the sermon, you won't notice other things.

Very true!

 

[tyndale1946]

A biblical church is an orderly church.

1 Cor 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

So true TC... But I did enjoy your post #3... Brother Glen

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

BTW....you are supposed to love these people. Employ church discipline if they repeatably offending others. But do it gently & lovingly. See we are relationship building with people when they come to church....we are telling them about ultimate truths they need to hear. That truth telling of God's grace is what the church is all about & should be considered discipleship IE...Christ at work. (see Matthew 28:19-20)

 

[Salty]

Let's not get ridiculous OK? I really detest these sorts of things.

And I stand by my original statement...you worry about you. If you're doing what you should be doing, that is, paying attention to what the Lord is telling you through the sermon, you won't notice other things.

You can be paying attention - but these (minor) examples given in previous posts WILL be noticed.

Of course - I was using extreme examples - - the question is - where do we draw the line.

 

[saved41199]

Of course - I was using extreme examples - - the question is - where do we draw the line.

Using extreme examples basically shoots down your entire argument...

 

[Salty]

Using extreme examples basically shoots down your entire argument...

Now, those extreme examples are Part I.

and now Part II - where do you draw the line?


and talking about extreme examples - suppose someone came into church with a KFC meal? - would you consider this an extreme example

 

[saved41199]

Now, those extreme examples are Part I.

and now Part II - where do you draw the line?


and talking about extreme examples - suppose someone came into church with a KFC meal? - would you consider this an extreme example

see this Appeal to Extremes

I am not going to entertain such foolishness

 

[Salty]

The example of bringing KFC meal into church actually happened! and he was sitting on the front row -
It was rather hard not to notice that.


Also - I am still waiting for you to explain where to draw the line?

 

[saved41199]

The example of bringing KFC meal into church actually happened! and he was sitting on the front row -
It was rather hard not to notice that.


Also - I am still waiting for you to explain where to draw the line?

That would be up to the pastor and staff. I have never, ever seen any of that behavior in church.

 

[Salty]

That would be up to theastor and staff. I have never, ever seen any of that behavior in church.

And that was part of the problem - the Pastor did NOT do anything about it; nor ANY of the many, many distractions caused by a few number of the folks. At the time, I was associate Pastor - and we spoke of the issues - however, the Pastor did not want to hurt anyones feelings and risk them leaving the church.

Also, I was not toO hep on different folks bringing their dogs into the worship service - ( and I do not mean service dogs)

Edit: I included the word NOT in bold - that one word makes a big difference

 

[saved41199]

And that was part of the problem - the Pastor did do anything about it; nor ANY of the many, many distractions caused by a few number of the folks. At the time, I was associate Pastor - and we spoke of the issues - however, the Pastor did not want to hurt anyones feelings and risk them leaving the church.

Also, I was not to hep on different folks bringing their dogs into the worship service - ( and I do not mean service dogs)

I do not know where you live that people think this behavior is acceptable. I've lived in 4 different states, a number of different cities and have NEVER EVER seen anything like what you are describing. I've lived in small towns and very large cities...I've attended a variety of churches and well...I have no idea what you're going on about here. I've got half a mind to think you're full of soup and making this stuff up.

 

[Reynolds]

Using extreme examples basically shoots down your entire argument...

His argument is not extreme. I have seen all that he mentioned. Substitute Mario Bros. For ball game and substitute McDonalds for KFC, and I have seen it. We had an old lady trip over a kids Nintendo DS cord hanginh across the walkway plugged into the wall. The mother and father got mad at the old lady for tearing the cord up. As chairman of deacons it was my job that day to handle it. Not being in a wonderful mood I told the parents they had lost their mind and that I,stead of defending their brat they should have him out back beating his tail. Gbey left and dud not come back. Honestly, I was thrilled to be rid of them.

 

[JamesL]

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]

It's not God's House, WE are

 

[saved41199]

His argument is not extreme. I have seen all that he mentioned. Substitute Mario Bros. For ball game and substitute McDonalds for KFC, and I have seen it. We had an old lady trip over a kids Nintendo DS cord hanginh across the walkway plugged into the wall. The mother and father got mad at the old lady for tearing the cord up. As chairman of deacons it was my job that day to handle it. Not being in a wonderful mood I told the parents they had lost their mind and that I,stead of defending their brat they should have him out back beating his tail. Gbey left and dud not come back. Honestly, I was thrilled to be rid of them.

One last time, I don't know where y'all go to church but none of that has ever happened in my life. As a kid, I got the inner part of the upper arm pinch and twist along with the look of death for fidgeting. My kids got the look of death and the knowledge that if they didn't behave I'd take them out and tan their hides. My grandkids get the same treatment. Seems to me that maybe the pastor and elder body needs to come up with some rules and distribute them to the membership...but I still think y'all are joking.