Church Etiquette

By Calvin Scott

Included is a list of ways to show love and consideration to the Lord and your fellow Christian.

They have nothing to do with your salvation.You are not going to hell for chewing gum in church, but your neighbors around you will appreciate you following these guidelines, so they can concentrate on God instead of distractions.

Your observance of these guidelines helps create a reverent atmosphere where God can meet the needs of people.

1. Go to the restroom before church, not during, except for emergencies. If children must go during the service try to schedule your movement during changes of service order (example, between praise/worship and announcements or between announcement and sermon, etc.)

2. Try to help kids and teens find a permanent seat to avoid the distraction of bench hopping and wandering around.

3. No eating or drinking in the main auditorium. Don’t indulge in your Big Gulp and popcorn during the church service. This isn’t a floorshow.

4. Church is a great place to meet friends and visit, but avoid visiting during service.

5. Young people don’t run or wrestle in the church. This isn’t an exercise gym. Parents of small children – You are used to kids bumping into you, but it can be very upsetting to the elderly, and then there’s the guy who came to get his sore foot prayed for. Ouch!

6. Don’t listen to your personal earphones during regular service hours.  If you want to listen to your own thing, why did you come here?

7. Unmarried couples. No kissing or intimate hugging or touching on church property. There are many little eyes that see it all. As you refrain, it shows you are mature enough to have a boyfriend or girlfriend. Decent hugs only, no body clinchers.

8. Ladies, be modest in your dress. Guys shouldn’t have to battle lust, especially in church.

9. Guys, take your hats off as you come into church. Not only are ladies present, but you are in the presence of God.

10. In the church kitchen - Don’t visit around the buffet table, but rather visit in the dining room. When the kitchen is blocked with people visiting, others can’t get to the buffet and the workers can’t move about to do their work. And, no visiting or loitering in the kitchen during service. That’s not where God’s message is being preached.

11. Laptops. If you want to use your laptop to look up scriptures or take sermon notes, OK, but don’t check your e-mail or play games during church services. 

12. Turn off cell phones.  If you forget to turn it off and it rings during church, DO NOT answer it, turn it off.     

Thank you for caring!