QUESTION:
Would you please address the topic of “behavior during church services”?
ANSWER:
When we gather for worship, we are in the presence of God, and our conduct should indicate the seriousness of the occasion. We are to worship in spirit and truth John 4:23-24. In 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 Paul gives principles designed to regulate order in church meetings. His concluding statement “Let all things be done decently and in order” reminds us of the seriousness and importance of our gathering together. Distracting situations should be kept to a minimum. People who talk out loud, children who are not quiet and respectful are often guilty of interfering with others as they seek to listen and learn. In fact parents who do not teach their children the seriousness of the worship assembly do them a great disservice. Cell phones that go off and people who text others during the service show a lack of respect for God and others who are present. In a recent meeting I was conducting some young people on the second seat from the front were texting their friends who were in the rest room. These were teen-age boys and girls. In years gone by we were taught to pay attention, be quiet and show respect to the one doing the teaching during services. Unfortunately things have changed dramatically in some places. Services often have a circus atmosphere rather than one of respect and reverence. I remember times when some speakers would stop preaching and call for quiet and attention on the part of some in the audience. Doing that today would raise the ire of some parents and bring criticism on the speaker rather than the ones guilty of disturbing the service. God is not pleased with us when fail to honor and reverence Him in our assemblies. I am aware that infants and very young children can be difficult to handle in such situations. Most of us understand this and appreciate mothers who take their children out when difficult problems arise. Our goal should be to provide an atmosphere where all can worship in spirit and truth