Note to pastors: Let Church Out On Time!!!!

[StillStanding]

Unless you have struck oil, saints are levitating, or half the church is slain in the spirit, PLEASE DISMISS THE SERVICE AT THE NORMAL TIME!

If you hold service longer than usual to make a point, you are only annoying people!

At our church this past Sunday we had a good move of the spirit. The praise and worship and the choir singing all were home runs! Because of this, the service wasn't handed over to the preacher until the normal dismissal time.

Instead of going straight into talking about the visiting preacher's needs and taking an offering, they turned the pulpit over to the preacher to preach his sermon. It was 45 minutes later before everyone was standing to be dismissed! My stomach was growling and the Baptists beat us to all the restaurants.

Our church normally dismisses around noon or a little after. Knowing this, I got my son-in-law to come to church with us with the lure of a 2:30PM tee time after church. By the time we left church, we only had time for fast food. The food barely had time to digest before we teed off! Of course, this caused me to lose to my son-in-law!!! :boxing

[DividedThigh]

it really is a good idea to respect peoples time, but however i dont know about the lose to the son in law thing, got game, lol,dt

[StMark]

O Please ! Help him Lord

[rgcraig]

PM, that is a problem with visitors.

Us church folk are use to it, but I can understand that being a deterrent when you are bringing an unchurched person with you.

[StillStanding]

PM, that is a problem with visitors.

Us church folk are use to it, but I can understand that being a deterrent when you are bringing an unchurched person with you.

This is so true! My son-in-law owns two nice restaurants in Murfreesboro. When he decides to take a Sunday off, we're really happy for him to go to church with us. I could tell he was annoyed because the service went so long! He kept looking at his watch!

[Nahum]

Unless you have struck oil, saints are levitating, or half the church is slain in the spirit, PLEASE DISMISS THE SERVICE AT THE NORMAL TIME!

If you hold service longer than usual to make a point, you are only annoying people!

At our church this past Sunday we had a good move of the spirit. The praise and worship and the choir singing all were home runs! Because of this, the service wasn't handed over to the preacher until the normal dismissal time.

Instead of going straight into talking about the visiting preacher's needs and taking an offering, they turned the pulpit over to the preacher to preach his sermon. It was 45 minutes later before everyone was standing to be dismissed! My stomach was growling and the Baptists beat us to all the restaurants.

Our church normally dismisses around noon or a little after. Knowing this, I got my son-in-law to come to church with us with the lure of a 2:30PM tee time after church. By the time we left church, we only had time for fast food. The food barely had time to digest before we teed off! Of course, this caused me to lose to my son-in-law!!! :boxing


I'll try to do better.

I always hated it when our pastor would drag out the altar service.

[nahkoe]

The church I've been going to here does something I really like. They have worship, dismiss the kids, announcements, preaching, DISMISS, and another worship time/alter time until whenever everyone wants to leave. Most stay (there's also coffee fellowship in the foyer after dismissal) but those who need to leave are quite welcome to.

[rgcraig]

The church I've been going to here does something I really like. They have worship, dismiss the kids, announcements, preaching, DISMISS, and another worship time/alter time until whenever everyone wants to leave. Most stay (there's also coffee fellowship in the foyer after dismissal) but those who need to leave are quite welcome to.

If you left at the first dismissal you couldn't stand around and talk after church and take 30 minutes to discuss where you are going to eat after church! LOL!

[Cindy]

Unless you have struck oil, saints are levitating, or half the church is slain in the spirit, PLEASE DISMISS THE SERVICE AT THE NORMAL TIME!

If you hold service longer than usual to make a point, you are only annoying people!

At our church this past Sunday we had a good move of the spirit. The praise and worship and the choir singing all were home runs! Because of this, the service wasn't handed over to the preacher until the normal dismissal time.

Instead of going straight into talking about the visiting preacher's needs and taking an offering, they turned the pulpit over to the preacher to preach his sermon. It was 45 minutes later before everyone was standing to be dismissed! My stomach was growling and the Baptists beat us to all the restaurants.

Our church normally dismisses around noon or a little after. Knowing this, I got my son-in-law to come to church with us with the lure of a 2:30PM tee time after church. By the time we left church, we only had time for fast food. The food barely had time to digest before we teed off! Of course, this caused me to lose to my son-in-law!!! :boxing


Oh get over it, and quit your whining. :bigbaby That's life in the fast lane. :drama

[nahkoe]

If you left at the first dismissal you couldn't stand around and talk after church and take 30 minutes to discuss where you are going to eat after church! LOL!

You know, they don't seem to go out to eat as a church or even as groups. They do seem to have in church meals fairly frequently though. There are quite a lot of larger families, I wonder if that's part of the difference?

and they're not UPC/Apostolic The only place I've attended that was bigger on the eating out after church than the UPC church was a COGIC church.

[Steve Epley]

Well no one should ever be detained at church past the norm, now that hour wait at the resturant no sweat it is a good resturant, the appointment at the Dr. that was at 2:00 but he didn't see you until 3 he is a good doctor, the baker , the lawyer, the school, the client, anyone BUT God! To imagine that thoughtless preacher making me late for my important golf game or football game or clipping my toenails. I like a God that has NO demands of my time-energy-money-lifestyle. Let's see God think I can work you in for an hour on the 3rd Sunday in July be prompt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:happydance:bliss

[StMark]

You know, they don't seem to go out to eat as a church or even as groups. They do seem to have in church meals fairly frequently though. There are quite a lot of larger families, I wonder if that's part of the difference?

and they're not UPC/Apostolic The only place I've attended that was bigger on the eating out after church than the UPC church was a COGIC church.


and they both Love Buffets :happydance

[nahkoe]

and they both Love Buffets :happydance

Yes they do. lol

[rgcraig]

Well no one should ever be detained at church past the norm, now that hour wait at the resturant no sweat it is a good resturant, the appointment at the Dr. that was at 2:00 but he didn't see you until 3 he is a good doctor, the baker , the lawyer, the school, the client, anyone BUT God! To imagine that thoughtless preacher making me late for my important golf game or football game or clipping my toenails. I like a God that has NO demands of my time-energy-money-lifestyle. Let's see God think I can work you in for an hour on the 3rd Sunday in July be prompt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:happydance:bliss

LOL - I think you missed the point that his SIL doesn't normally attend church.

[StMark]

Well no one should ever be detained at church past the norm, now that hour wait at the resturant no sweat it is a good resturant, the appointment at the Dr. that was at 2:00 but he didn't see you until 3 he is a good doctor, the baker , the lawyer, the school, the client, anyone BUT God! To imagine that thoughtless preacher making me late for my important golf game or football game or clipping my toenails. I like a God that has NO demands of my time-energy-money-lifestyle. Let's see God think I can work you in for an hour on the 3rd Sunday in July be prompt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:happydance:bliss


Good way of putting it. we have all week to do OUR thing and finally when God's day arrives we are going to give him the left overs - pitiful!

[nahkoe]

Good way of putting it. we have all week to do OUR thing and finally when God's day arrives we are going to give him the left overs - pitiful!

I think that's the problem.

I definitely don't just pay attention to God during a church service. As a matter of fact, having 4 kids, and being a single parent, I don't pay much attention to God at all during the service (most of the time).

The rest of the week though? I find all sorts of time for that undivided attention.

[StillStanding]

Well no one should ever be detained at church past the norm, now that hour wait at the resturant no sweat it is a good resturant, the appointment at the Dr. that was at 2:00 but he didn't see you until 3 he is a good doctor, the baker , the lawyer, the school, the client, anyone BUT God! To imagine that thoughtless preacher making me late for my important golf game or football game or clipping my toenails. I like a God that has NO demands of my time-energy-money-lifestyle. Let's see God think I can work you in for an hour on the 3rd Sunday in July be prompt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:happydance:bliss
:toofunny

I just saying IF nothing special is happening (spiritual wise) in the service, then let out at the normal expected time.

I was at a service once on Mother's Day with my mom, and the church had a good service. The preacher got up to preach a little later than normal and said that he would shorten the sermon to about ten minutes. He ended up preaching for well over an hour! The bad part about it was that it was mostly rambling! I couldn't tell you what his main thought was!

[Baron1710]

Well no one should ever be detained at church past the norm, now that hour wait at the resturant no sweat it is a good resturant, the appointment at the Dr. that was at 2:00 but he didn't see you until 3 he is a good doctor, the baker , the lawyer, the school, the client, anyone BUT God! To imagine that thoughtless preacher making me late for my important golf game or football game or clipping my toenails. I like a God that has NO demands of my time-energy-money-lifestyle. Let's see God think I can work you in for an hour on the 3rd Sunday in July be prompt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:happydance:bliss

I can't speak for anyone else but I HATE waiting for anyone. If you can't be on time don't even show up. I went to look at an office I was thinking of renting last week and the rental agent wasn't there by 10 after, so I left. I f I do have to wait I usually have something else I can do. If they don't mind me reading during service or returning phone calls then carry on. It is not God that is being inconsiderate its people speaking for God. If an attorney can argue the most important case of his life in front of the Supreme Court in 30 min. then maybe pastors need to prepare as much as the attorney.

[HeavenlyOne]

I know a pastor who let's SS out early when the Packers are playing the noon game! LOL!

[StillStanding]

I know a pastor who let's SS out early when the Packers are playing the noon game! LOL!
:toofunny Now THAT'S not right!

[StillStanding]

I can't speak for anyone else but I HATE waiting for anyone. If you can't be on time don't even show up. I went to look at an office I was thinking of renting last week and the rental agent wasn't there by 10 after, so I left. I f I do have to wait I usually have something else I can do. If they don't mind me reading during service or returning phone calls then carry on. It is not God that is being inconsiderate its people speaking for God. If an attorney can argue the most important case of his life in front of the Supreme Court in 30 min. then maybe pastors need to prepare as much as the attorney.

:eek: :thumbsup

[HeavenlyOne]

:toofunny Now THAT'S not right!

This same pastor has a fit if my friend and I go fishing instead of participating in church game night!! LOL!

[Steve Epley]

I realize y'all are busy important folksand God should be thankful you even showed up! And the nerve of that preacher to finish his message he felt he got from God. Next time buy the cd and play it on the golf course.:bliss:happydance

[MrsMcD]

I like the way we do church. We have morning worship at 9:30 and then Sunday School at 11:00.

[StillStanding]

I realize y'all are busy important folksand God should be thankful you even showed up! And the nerve of that preacher to finish his message he felt he got from God. Next time buy the cd and play it on the golf course.:bliss:happydance
Now you're talking! :D

Podcast the ending and download it to your Ipod. That way you can listen to the sermon ending right after you triple putt!

I'm all for hearing what God has to say to the church. Sometimes the cliff notes version works best for me! :D

[The Mrs]

The church I've been going to here does something I really like. They have worship, dismiss the kids, announcements, preaching, DISMISS, and another worship time/alter time until whenever everyone wants to leave. Most stay (there's also coffee fellowship in the foyer after dismissal) but those who need to leave are quite welcome to.

I visited a church like this once. I was a bit confused to say the least!

I didn't know if I should leave or not! We sat around thinking there must be more going on. :dunno

[steve p]

:toofunny Now THAT'S not right!
Yeah,,,it would only be right if it were a TITANS game!!!
LOL
Blessings!

[Steve Epley]

Times up God your out of here.:happydance

[StillStanding]

Yeah,,,it would only be right if it were a TITANS game!!!
LOL
Blessings!
:eek: Somehow you know me very well! :D

[steve p]

:eek: Somehow you know me very well! :D

We probably went to different schools together!!!
LOL
Blessings!

[StillStanding]

Times up God your out of here.:happydance

In some services I've been in, God checked out at noon, but the preacher didn't realize it! The congregation realized it though! :D

[StMark]

The sad condition of Today's church

[Steve Epley]

The sad condition of Today's church

It certainly is.

[nahkoe]

I visited a church like this once. I was a bit confused to say the least!

I didn't know if I should leave or not! We sat around thinking there must be more going on. :dunno

Awww..I'm sorry you were confused!

The pastor here is VERY CLEAR that anyone who wants to leave is free to go, but the worship team will be singing and anyone who wants to stay is welcome to stay. And he mentions the coffee in the back too, but you have to walk through that to get out.

But, I don't go to this church anymore. I'll be moved to another state before the next church service! :jaw

[StillStanding]

The sad condition of Today's church

That's what I'm saying! :)

[Margies3]

I'm actually very torn on this issue.

On the one hand, I'm convinced that the reason we are not seeing revival like the old days now (in most places) is that we don't really want to seek God and wait on God like we did in the old days anymore. If God can't say what he wants to say by noon, then he'll have to wait till next week.

On the other hand, if the worship is wonderful and God is moving, then by all means stay. But if things just ran long, why do pastors feel like they have to deliver every single word of their carefully prepared sermon? Can't they cut it short? Or sometimes even cut it out? Sometimes we hear more from God in the music or in a testimony than we will in the sermon, no matter how much time was spent preparing it.

By the way, if I had a visitor with me and he looked like he'd had enough, I wouldn't hesitate to lean over and ask if he wanted to blow this joint. Then I'd explain later how Pentecostal services work :)

[Steve Epley]

I have been very mindful of folks time. I am not long winded and realize folks have to get up to go to work. When I pastored the evangelist had the floor no later than 30 minutes. I didn't preach before and after. However this mindset that church is inconvenience is troubling, particularly since most folks only go ONE TIME a week.
I am glad I preach around people who love church. To me that is the stark difference between conservatives and libs church is our life not some event we try to squeeze in. I love church and have for 45 years. I have been in at least 250 services a year as long as I can remember and sometime more. ONE day in THY court is better than a 1,000 David said. Church is my life.

[The Mrs]

I have been very mindful of folks time. I am not long winded and realize folks have to get up to go to work. When I pastored the evangelist had the floor no later than 30 minutes. I didn't preach before and after. However this mindset that church is inconvenience is troubling, particularly since most folks only go ONE TIME a week.
I am glad I preach around people who love church. To me that is the stark difference between conservatives and libs church is our life not some event we try to squeeze in. I love church and have for 45 years. I have been in at least 250 services a year as long as I can remember and sometime more. ONE day in THY court is better than a 1,000 David said. Church is my life.

You are a gem Bro. Epley! :heart

[Balanced]

I have been very mindful of folks time. I am not long winded and realize folks have to get up to go to work. When I pastored the evangelist had the floor no later than 30 minutes. I didn't preach before and after. However this mindset that church is inconvenience is troubling, particularly since most folks only go ONE TIME a week.
I am glad I preach around people who love church. To me that is the stark difference between conservatives and libs church is our life not some event we try to squeeze in. I love church and have for 45 years. I have been in at least 250 services a year as long as I can remember and sometime more. ONE day in THY court is better than a 1,000 David said. Church is my life.

Great post!

My pastor always tries to be mindful of the time, but we did take the clock down in the sanctuary. When the spirit is moving in worship or preaching KEEP GOING!!

But there was that ONE TIME. :reaction

(more later):drama

[Monkeyman]

Dead dry church, give me 30 minutes and then let me go...church where the power is falling, folks are shouting and getting the Holy Ghost, baptized, and sanctified??? You can keep it going all night and I am there with ya!!! (This is my church btw...)
And...I am the cat who sings, sweats, shouts, jumps, jigs, gets my groove on, up on the platform....then is up before dawn to open up a microhone and act like I am well rested to our radio audience....so....quit you're whining...tee time, sheeeesh!
I'm more apostolic than y'all!!!!!!!!!!:D

[StillStanding]

I have been very mindful of folks time. I am not long winded and realize folks have to get up to go to work. When I pastored the evangelist had the floor no later than 30 minutes. I didn't preach before and after. However this mindset that church is inconvenience is troubling, particularly since most folks only go ONE TIME a week.
I am glad I preach around people who love church. To me that is the stark difference between conservatives and libs church is our life not some event we try to squeeze in. I love church and have for 45 years. I have been in at least 250 services a year as long as I can remember and sometime more. ONE day in THY court is better than a 1,000 David said. Church is my life.

I can't disagree with what you are saying here.

But..............you are a full-time preacher/pastor and your whole life revolves around the church. When I was a full-time music director, I lived and breathed church on a daily basis.

Most folks have other responsibilities such as jobs, balancing family time, etc. that fit into the equation.

I remember women whose husbands weren't in church being pressured to be at the church whenever the doors were open. In some cases this caused an eventual divorce, because they were led to believe that God (meaning church) should be first in their life!

[StillStanding]

Dead dry church, give me 30 minutes and then let me go...church where the power is falling, folks are shouting and getting the Holy Ghost, baptized, and sanctified??? You can keep it going all night and I am there with ya!!! (This is my church btw...)
And...I am the cat who sings, sweats, shouts, jumps, jigs, gets my groove on, up on the platform....then is up before dawn to open up a microhone and act like I am well rested to our radio audience....so....quit you're whining...tee time, sheeeesh!
I'm more apostolic than y'all!!!!!!!!!!:D

It does look bad to be complaining about a tee time, doesn't it? :toofunny

I'm just saying'! :D

[Monkeyman]

I can't disagree with what you are saying here.

But..............you are a full-time preacher/pastor and your whole life revolves around the church. When I was a full-time music director, I lived and breathed church on a daily basis.

Most folks have other responsibilities such as jobs, balancing family time, etc. that fit into the equation.

I remember women whose husbands weren't in church being pressured to be at the church whenever the doors were open. In some cases this caused an eventual divorce, because they were led to believe that God (meaning church) should be first in their life!Blah blah blah.........I work 2 Full Time jobs beside doing the church music...so...again...SHUDDYAP (just kidding...about that last part, I wouldn't want ya to slap me into next week!!!:D)

[Monkeyman]

It does look bad to be complaining about a tee time, doesn't it? :toofunny

I'm just saying'! :DThe tee time, no...getting beat by your SIL??? :tissue:tissue

[StillStanding]

The tee time, no...getting beat by your SIL??? :tissue:tissue
Do you think I would be complaining if I had won? :toofunny

[Steve Epley]

I can't disagree with what you are saying here.

But..............you are a full-time preacher/pastor and your whole life revolves around the church. When I was a full-time music director, I lived and breathed church on a daily basis.

Most folks have other responsibilities such as jobs, balancing family time, etc. that fit into the equation.

I remember women whose husbands weren't in church being pressured to be at the church whenever the doors were open. In some cases this caused an eventual divorce, because they were led to believe that God (meaning church) should be first in their life!

I am certainly mindful of that. But those folks are asking for revivals to go on. Scheduling their vacations for youth camps and camps and conferences. That is the difference I see between the liberal camp and the conservative camp. Church is our first priority number one top of the list. THEN we fit everything else in.
I have been fussed at many times for our rest nights but mosty why can't we have this every night. Our first love for Him-His house-His man- is part and parcel or our experience. Somefolks can't make it because of jobs-health-other situations. But Jerusalem is yet my Chief Joy!

[Praxeas]

Unless you have struck oil, saints are levitating, or half the church is slain in the spirit, PLEASE DISMISS THE SERVICE AT THE NORMAL TIME!

If you hold service longer than usual to make a point, you are only annoying people!

At our church this past Sunday we had a good move of the spirit. The praise and worship and the choir singing all were home runs! Because of this, the service wasn't handed over to the preacher until the normal dismissal time.

Instead of going straight into talking about the visiting preacher's needs and taking an offering, they turned the pulpit over to the preacher to preach his sermon. It was 45 minutes later before everyone was standing to be dismissed! My stomach was growling and the Baptists beat us to all the restaurants.

Our church normally dismisses around noon or a little after. Knowing this, I got my son-in-law to come to church with us with the lure of a 2:30PM tee time after church. By the time we left church, we only had time for fast food. The food barely had time to digest before we teed off! Of course, this caused me to lose to my son-in-law!!! :boxing
Ive seen churches announce what time service starts....but not what time it was supposed to end. That's kinda weird that it would have a set ending time

[StMark]

I can't disagree with what you are saying here.

But..............you are a full-time preacher/pastor and your whole life revolves around the church. When I was a full-time music director, I lived and breathed church on a daily basis.

Most folks have other responsibilities such as jobs, balancing family time, etc. that fit into the equation.

I remember women whose husbands weren't in church being pressured to be at the church whenever the doors were open. In some cases this caused an eventual divorce, because they were led to believe that God (meaning church) should be first in their life!


Joel, even in the UPC, mid week service is becoming obsolete. our choir rehearsals are 1 hour a week and choir is an option. hardly anyone runs long revivals anymore and most churches no longer ask a lot of time of the people.
I found the same people who complain about the church taking their time up have time for everything else and it usually ends up being things like playing computer games til 2 am in the morning and shopping

[nahkoe]

I am certainly mindful of that. But those folks are asking for revivals to go on. Scheduling their vacations for youth camps and camps and conferences. That is the difference I see between the liberal camp and the conservative camp. Church is our first priority number one top of the list. THEN we fit everything else in.
I have been fussed at many times for our rest nights but mosty why can't we have this every night. Our first love for Him-His house-His man- is part and parcel or our experience. Somefolks can't make it because of jobs-health-other situations. But Jerusalem is yet my Chief Joy!

Brother, I'm not conservative, but I'd be there every night. I'm one who fusses about not having church more often. I don't think it's a lib/con issue.

[StillStanding]

Joel, even in the UPC, mid week service is becoming obsolete. our choir rehearsals are 1 hour a week and choir is an option. hardly anyone runs long revivals anymore and most churches no longer ask a lot of time of the people.
I found the same people who complain about the church taking their time up have time for everything else and it usually ends up being things like playing computer games til 2 am in the morning and shopping

I understand this is a sign of our time.

What I am saying is if you normally dismiss at a certain time, people set their schedule and expect to be dismissed around that time frame. If the spirit is really moving, time constraints go out the door. But, if the service is tired, people will get annoyed if you go way past the normal dismissal time.

[DividedThigh]

i think 30mins is long enough for a good preacher and too long for a bad one, lol,dt

[StillStanding]

i think 30mins is long enough for a good preacher and too long for a bad one, lol,dt
Now THAT'S the truth! :thumbsup

I have, however, listened to sermons that lasted well over an hour and was disappointed when it was over!

[Steve Epley]

Now THAT'S the truth! :thumbsup

I have, however, listened to sermons that lasted well over an hour and was disappointed when it was over!

I have been disappointed it wasn't over earlier also.:gaga

[Balanced]

Great post!

My pastor always tries to be mindful of the time, but we did take the clock down in the sanctuary. When the spirit is moving in worship or preaching KEEP GOING!!

But there was that ONE TIME. :reaction

(more later):drama


And on that one time!:tissue

It was a Sunday morning, starts at 10 usually ends around 12, my wife and I were teaching 6-8 year olds and we had a visiting preacher.


By noon we were finished with all the planned activities and eating snack.:icecream

By 12:30 we had done the other activities in for that lesson.:crazywalls

By 1:00 we had sung all the songs we could think of. :offkey And sent the bus ministry kids home.:driving

By 1:30 we had increased the snack to lunch :donuts and thought of more songs. :rockband

By 2:00 we were outside playing games.:pillowfight :tricycle :thwak

When he finally quit at 2:30 :banghead

[StillStanding]

I have been disappointed it wasn't over earlier also.:gaga
My motto: Better to leave them wanting more, than wishing you had quit long before! :D

[Steve Epley]

My motto: Better to leave them wanting more, than wishing you had quit long before! :D

Some folks LOVE to her themselves talk.

[StillStanding]

Some folks LOVE to her themselves talk.
:toofunny There's truth in that statement! :)

[Baron1710]

Some folks LOVE to her themselves talk.

One time at Brother Mullings church a visiting preacher was preaching and they had just put in a new tape deck that automatically switched sides and kept recording. They had a ninety min. tape (total) that turned over, and then turned over again and began to play back. This visiting preacher said, “Turn that thing off we don't need but one preacher here.” Which means he was still going like the energizer bunny after 90 min.

[StillStanding]

One time at Brother Mullings church a visiting preacher was preaching and they had just put in a new tape deck that automatically switched sides and kept recording. They had a ninety min. tape (total) that turned over, and then turned over again and began to play back. This visiting preacher said, “Turn that thing off we don't need but one preacher here.” Which means he was still going like the energizer bunny after 90 min.

Was Acteaon the preacher? :toofunny

[AbundantGrace]

Well no one should ever be detained at church past the norm, now that hour wait at the resturant no sweat it is a good resturant, the appointment at the Dr. that was at 2:00 but he didn't see you until 3 he is a good doctor, the baker , the lawyer, the school, the client, anyone BUT God! To imagine that thoughtless preacher making me late for my important golf game or football game or clipping my toenails. I like a God that has NO demands of my time-energy-money-lifestyle. Let's see God think I can work you in for an hour on the 3rd Sunday in July be prompt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:happydance:bliss

I think you hit the nail on the head! People will complain about things, not only the time, but so many things that they will never complain about anywhere else. Need to Google the "Me Church Video" and watch it. I show this video in my church about once every two months. My prayer is, "Lord, mess our programs up and have YOUR way in the service every time. The time that I have is ONLY the time that you gave me, so have YOUR way in it." :drama

[marthaolivia]

My pastor usually preaches 30-35 minutes and so many times I really want him to keep going. Very rarely does the service go way beyond 11:30 On a Sunday morning. Sunday nights are unpredictable though. I am thankful that he is considerate of the congregation. Either way I'm blessed with the best pastor EVER!

[StMark]

I understand this is a sign of our time.

What I am saying is if you normally dismiss at a certain time, people set their schedule and expect to be dismissed around that time frame. If the spirit is really moving, time constraints go out the door. But, if the service is tired, people will get annoyed if you go way past the normal dismissal time.


Here's how I believe. If you have to go, go. If you have an appointment or got to go to work, leave quietly and respectfully. I think that pretty much solves most aspects of this thread

[StillStanding]

Here's how I believe. If you have to go, go. If you have an appointment or got to go to work, leave quietly and respectfully. I think that pretty much solves most aspects of this thread

The problem is that some people don't want to appear disrespectful. It looks disrespectful when people get up and leave before service is over!

[StMark]

The problem is that some people don't want to appear disrespectful. It looks disrespectful when people get up and leave before service is over!



well then, just shoot at text to your party and tell them that we need to move the lunch date up a little or sit up in the balcony where it wont be obvious

[chosenbyone]

My pastor usually preaches 30-35 minutes and so many times I really want him to keep going. Very rarely does the service go way beyond 11:30 On a Sunday morning. Sunday nights are unpredictable though. I am thankful that he is considerate of the congregation. Either way I'm blessed with the best pastor EVER!

I think that 30-35 minutes sermon fits well with the majority of people's attention span.

[SOUNWORTHY]

I know a pastor who let's SS out early when the Packers are playing the noon game! LOL!

Sounds like a winner to me but better if it's the Cardinals playing. I like a church that starts on time and and I'm outta there in exactly one hour.:bliss

Now the first part is true but as long as it is a good service and the preacher is anointed I'm for however long it takes. But if the preacher is just talking to hear himself talk ( visiting preachers do that sometimes) I check my cell phone wave it in the air and I'm outta there!!:blah

To be serious, people think nothing of watching TV or a movie on video for a couple hours but get antsy if the service runs over a few minutes.

Now funerals are something else. I've been to two to three hour funerals. Everyone has to say something. I have told my family if they can't say it about me when I'm alive they don't need to say it after I'm gone.:happydance

[Rico]

Unless you have struck oil, saints are levitating, or half the church is slain in the spirit, PLEASE DISMISS THE SERVICE AT THE NORMAL TIME!

If you hold service longer than usual to make a point, you are only annoying people!

At our church this past Sunday we had a good move of the spirit. The praise and worship and the choir singing all were home runs! Because of this, the service wasn't handed over to the preacher until the normal dismissal time.

Instead of going straight into talking about the visiting preacher's needs and taking an offering, they turned the pulpit over to the preacher to preach his sermon. It was 45 minutes later before everyone was standing to be dismissed! My stomach was growling and the Baptists beat us to all the restaurants.

Our church normally dismisses around noon or a little after. Knowing this, I got my son-in-law to come to church with us with the lure of a 2:30PM tee time after church. By the time we left church, we only had time for fast food. The food barely had time to digest before we teed off! Of course, this caused me to lose to my son-in-law!!! :boxing

Priorities, Brother. Priorities. Sounds like church has become routine for you. Try finding one of them aisle runnin, holy rollin, tongue talkin, truth believin churches. You know, the apostolic kind. Maybe you wouldn't be worried about the clock so much. :D

[SOUNWORTHY]

Either way I'm blessed with the best pastor EVER!

Funny, I haven't seen you at church..your description fits my pastor.

We have this count down on the overhead. it starts counting down five minutes before service time. As soon as it hits 0 the praise and worship team hits the first note. The whole service moves like clockwork unless God stops the clock. I'm so thankful for a good church and terrific pastoral staff.

[OneAccord]

Soundman- See the little knob there on the PA system that says Volume? Try turning that to the left a little. A little more... just a little more.... There, thats better.

Musicians: When no one is singing.... is there a real need for you to be strumming your guitar, playing a tune on the piano, or beating on the drums? Wait 'til they are ready to sing then strum, play and beat to your hearts content.


Singers: The song book is full of songs. Hundreds. Try a new one every once in a while.


Lady with "Beehive": Must you sit directly in front of me at every service? I'd really, really like to see what our pastor looks like.

Testifyer: Do we really need to hear your entire life story in EVERY service? I already know what year you were born, how many siblings you had, when you were married and how many kids you have.

Moms and Dads: Children are allowed to sit on the pews. They do not have to run back and forth and/or crawl under the pews. They can sit.

Man in hurry to play golf after church: No need to be in a hurry. The pastor knows, thats why he's holding service so long! Thanks to you, I'll have to stand in line at the Sizzler.

There. I'm through griping now. Next?

[StillStanding]

Soundman- See the little knob there on the PA system that says Volume? Try turning that to the left a little. A little more... just a little more.... There, thats better.

Musicians: When no one is singing.... is there a real need for you to be strumming your guitar, playing a tune on the piano, or beating on the drums? Wait 'til they are ready to sing then strum, play and beat to your hearts content.


Singers: The song book is full of songs. Hundreds. Try a new one every once in a while.


Lady with "Beehive": Must you sit directly in front of me at every service? I'd really, really like to see what our pastor looks like.

Testifyer: Do we really need to hear your entire life story in EVERY service? I already know what year you were born, how many siblings you had, when you were married and how many kids you have.

Moms and Dads: Children are allowed to sit on the pews. They do not have to run back and forth and/or crawl under the pews. They can sit.

Man in hurry to play golf after church: No need to be in a hurry. The pastor knows, thats why he's holding service so long! Thanks to you, I'll have to stand in line at the Sizzler.

There. I'm through griping now. Next?

:thumbsup

[nahkoe]

Children:


Moms and Dads: Children are allowed to sit on the pews. They do not have to run back and forth and/or crawl under the pews. They can sit.


See, I'm not the only one who says so. Please sit in service. Please. I don't like having every eye on me, every service.

[StillStanding]

Children:



See, I'm not the only one who says so. Please sit in service. Please. I don't like having every eye on me, every service.
Note to ladies: Please take the screaming baby out of the auditorium!!! I know you think they'll fall asleep any minute.....but they NEVER do!!!!!

[StMark]

some folks ( no names) want everything served to them on a silver platter. Everything has to be packaged just right. If the air temp isn't set at 72 degrees, if they don't sing their favorate song, if someone sits in their seat, etc. they are complaining. The preachers we had preaching said that only in the church do we have 80 yr olds who are still in diapers

[marthaolivia]

Funny, I haven't seen you at church..your description fits my pastor.

We have this count down on the overhead. it starts counting down five minutes before service time. As soon as it hits 0 the praise and worship team hits the first note. The whole service moves like clockwork unless God stops the clock. I'm so thankful for a good church and terrific pastoral staff.

I didn't see you either! lol.

There are times after a Sunday night service which includes lots of praise and worship and sometimes tongues and interpretation, Our pastor says that he doesn't need to give his sermon, that God has already spoken. Those nights, we get out earlier than scheduled.

[Sherri]

Our Sun. mornings are kept to a pretty tight schedule, but there is some room for flexibility. We have to have everyone out from the first service to be able to start the 11 AM. But Wed. nights, it just goes as long as the Spirit moves. At some point, we ask everyone to go get their kids from KIDZONE, but they just bring them back in the sanctuary.

[nahkoe]

Note to ladies: Please take the screaming baby out of the auditorium!!! I know you think they'll fall asleep any minute.....but they NEVER do!!!!!

lol! Yeah, go walk them around. I usually go out with the screaming one until they calm, then duck into the very, very, very, very back so I can make a quick escape if they start up again and pace until they're out cold.

[El Predicador]

some folks ( no names) want everything served to them on a silver platter. Everything has to be packaged just right. If the air temp isn't set at 72 degrees, if they don't sing their favorate song, if someone sits in their seat, etc. they are complaining. The preachers we had preaching said that only in the church do we have 80 yr olds who are still in diapers

True, it's possible those in hurry to play sports or eat at their favorite restaurant were so pre-occupied and distracted that they missed God's direction for the service and the preacher (God forbid) was following His leading... just possible?

[SOUNWORTHY]

lol! Yeah, go walk them around. I usually go out with the screaming one until they calm, then duck into the very, very, very, very back so I can make a quick escape if they start up again and pace until they're out cold.

During a very boring message I sometimes pinched ours to make her cry so I could escape!!:happydance

I had a pastor who regularly told people to take their crying babies out. Not when the baby started crying but in a special saint's meeting. He didn't embarrass anyone. There was also a special section reserved for mothers at the back of the church near the door.

[StillStanding]

True, it's possible those in hurry to play sports or eat at their favorite restaurant were so pre-occupied and distracted that they missed God's direction for the service and the preacher (God forbid) was following His leading... just possible?

The Lord knew that I had a 2:30 tee time, so he knew he had to speak to me before noon! :D I think God checked out at noon too! (In this case!) :)

[StillStanding]

During a very boring message I sometimes pinched ours to make her cry so I could escape!!:happydance

:toofunny

[Joie]

The Lord knew that I had a 2:30 tee time, so he knew he had to speak to me before noon! :D I think God checked out at noon too! (In this case!) :)
Brother...this thread is rather amusing. :) That extra special son in law rarely gets to visit and you do want him to come back to church with you. I think I would have left quietly one at a time to encourage the SinL to come back again. Do you think he will be visiting again to go to church with you? I probably would tell my SinL...now when you come back, we will take off earlier to get to spend more time with you at lunch.

Believe me, I too have been in those lonnnnnnnng services! Yes, I sat there and enjoyed most of the time most of the time.

Bless you Brother for your respectful longsuffering stay at church.