Opinions, please....

ChTatum · #1 03-02-2009, 08:19 PM

This past week I had a dear sister tell me how distracted she was during an awesome altar service. It seems about 4 youngsters were texting back and forth on two phones. Evidently not quietly as someone else also mentioned it to me as well. I was so busy at the altar I didn't notice it.

This Sunday (yesterday), along with the opening announcements I told parents that if I saw a child with a cell phone out during service, I would embarass them by calling them by name and telling them to put it away. I told the parents there was no need to be angry with me if I did that to their child as I had given them fair warning.

What think ye?

Sherri · #2 03-02-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChTatum

This past week I had a dear sister tell me how distracted she was during an awesome altar service. It seems about 4 youngsters were texting back and forth on two phones. Evidently not quietly as someone else also mentioned it to me as well. I was so busy at the altar I didn't notice it.

This Sunday (yesterday), along with the opening announcements I told parents that if I saw a child with a cell phone out during service, I would embarass them by calling them by name and telling them to put it away. I told the parents there was no need to be angry with me if I did that to their child as I had given them fair warning.

What think ye?

My son had a friend get kicked out of his senior year of high school because someone called him and he had forgotten to turn his phone off. He already had some demerits (or whatever they called them there) but he actually was permanently suspended because of a cell phone. If they can be that strict in school, I guess you can tell kids to turn them off in church! LOL

RandyWayne · #3 03-02-2009, 08:22 PM

I think ye are right on (or even a tiny bit too kind) about cell phone use during church.

I love them for emergencies or even when I really need to get some info from someone.... but I HATE it when people CANNOT wait for something to be over or to be out of earshot before chattttttttting awaaaayyyyyyy, like no one else exists.

RandyWayne · #4 03-02-2009, 08:24 PM

Walter Williams, economics professor and occasional guest host for Rush Limbaugh says that he announces at the beginning of the semester that if anyone's cell phone goes off the OWNER of the cell phone will not receive an infraction, but the person to the right and left of them will lose 10% if their grade points. Apparently cell phone issues are VERY rare in his classes.

Sam · #5 03-02-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChTatum

This past week I had a dear sister tell me how distracted she was during an awesome altar service. It seems about 4 youngsters were texting back and forth on two phones. Evidently not quietly as someone else also mentioned it to me as well. I was so busy at the altar I didn't notice it.

This Sunday (yesterday), along with the opening announcements I told parents that if I saw a child with a cell phone out during service, I would embarass them by calling them by name and telling them to put it away. I told the parents there was no need to be angry with me if I did that to their child as I had given them fair warning.

What think ye?

In my opinion, as pastor you were within your rights.
When I was going to the Vineyard, announcements were shown on overhead screens before service. An announcement to turn off cell phones or to set them to vibrate was shown several times. Some people just ignored it. I remember sitting in service one day and the cell phone of a person one or two seats away (I didn't know them) rang and the person answered it and carried on a conversation. Afterwards, I heard the person punching in another number and they called someone.

A couple of weeks ago I was teaching on a Wednesday night. I happened to be teaching on "intercession." Usually I leave my cell phone in my truck during service or turn it off. While I was teaching my phone rang. I grabbed it out of my coat pocket, apologized and hit a button to turn it off. Well, I guess I didn't hold the button in long enough because it rang again. Some one said "Maybe you should answer that." I did and it was someone calling to tell me that he was going into the hospital two days later and asked me to pray. I told him I would pray as soon as I hung up so we did. Maybe that call was meant to be even though it interrupted the teaching.

Sherri · #6 03-02-2009, 08:34 PM

We have an announcement screen that asks everyone to turn off their cell phones too, but some people don't pay any attention to those screens.

Margies3 · #7 03-02-2009, 08:39 PM

We have a family who always sit in the second pew from the front every Sunday. One Sunday morning, the husband's cell phone rang - LOUDLY - just as the pastor was about to begin his sermon. The pastor just looked at him and very kindly said, "Go ahead and answer it. We'll wait." And then just stood there.

Fortunately the pastor and this guy are best friend's. But believe me, it has never happened again. LOL

But seriously, Chatum, I don't think you are out of order at all. If those kids were communicating because of an emergency situation that would be different. But it really just sounds to me like the texting thing was really just a way to keep themselves distracted. They need to learn respect for the house of God.

Cindy · #8 03-02-2009, 08:48 PM

I think you are doing the right thing.

Ron · #9 03-02-2009, 08:49 PM

That is just plain rude!

I am talking about cell phone use in Church!

You were right in your approach!

pelathais · #10 03-02-2009, 09:02 PM

I think a discrete continual reminder might be appropriate. Something like a sign or a slide reminding everyone to turn off or silence their phones during services.

Keep in mind while you are preaching - the guy who looks like he's "texting" might actually be looking up your sermon text and following you along more closely than anyone else. Or they could be posting your most quotable excerpts on AFF!

I'd also want to remember that maintaining a sense of sanctity and worship in the sanctuary is something you will always have to do; lots of gentle and even encouraging reminders all the time. Your announcement from last Sunday will have to be repeated - without you being cross for having to repeat it - time and time again.

In time, more and more people will be doing it for you so your burden can focus on the altar.