tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post2098336983964563330..comments2024-03-01T21:01:15.174-06:00Comments on Biblical Christianity: Pithy Pre-pastorate Pastoral PointersDJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-35955938551337123942008-12-08T15:15:00.000-06:002008-12-08T15:15:00.000-06:00I'm just now catching up on some blog reading ...I'm just now catching up on some blog reading and had to comment on this post.<BR/><BR/>Regarding the matters of "regulating liquid intake & output", as well as "egress and ingress", I say, "preach it Dan!" :-)<BR/><BR/>In recent years I've been seriously shocked at the steady stream of humanity coming and going DURING worship services! Yes, there are legitimate needs that may arrise--so by all means please go. But I'm firmly convinced that this is more reflective of our sheer disregard for God's Word and the increasingly CASUAL attitude among professing Christians toward God and worship.<BR/><BR/>Add to that the contemporary and 'hip' habit (dare I say addiction) of our culture to constantly 'nurse' a tall travel mug of our beloved coffee, chai, or designer bottled water. I greatly enjoy all of those beverages, but can easily live without them long enough to focus my attention on worship. HSAT, I do realize that at times those beverages can be soothing to a sore throat, etc.--but please, can we not 'wean' ourselves once or twice a week for maybe an hour and a half at a time? {rant over} :-)Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388126339087271102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-31610832340806929392008-12-07T01:00:00.000-06:002008-12-07T01:00:00.000-06:00At what age does your "no noise" rule apply? From...At what age does your "no noise" rule apply? From birth, age 1, 2, 3? <BR/><BR/>I have two under two and I have been given the "evil eye" when my 6-month old is making happy noises, even if briefly. <BR/><BR/>Is there consideration for a toddler who is quiet yet won't sit still?<BR/><BR/>Where's the grace for us parents who are doing the best we can but feel sometimes it would be better to not come than to show up and get the looks from people which say, "Oh, no! Here's comes that family with the children. I hate when they make ANY noise at all."Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03749430131368286459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-29374640387486902952008-12-06T13:11:00.000-06:002008-12-06T13:11:00.000-06:00Gentlemen, (ahem)Please take your hat off in the b...Gentlemen, (ahem)<BR/>Please take your hat off in the building.<BR/>Thank you.neur0nhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07217267465653795577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-68344192987758177502008-12-06T11:40:00.000-06:002008-12-06T11:40:00.000-06:00Excellent points, and may I suggest that they be a...Excellent points, and may I suggest that they be applied to <I>every</I> situation in which you should be giving someone your attention, including casual conversations? It's just good manners, showing respect. How much <I>more</I> so, then, in a formal setting such as a worship service.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10658215452617342095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-78232044841966951202008-12-06T07:47:00.000-06:002008-12-06T07:47:00.000-06:00Love this Dan. And you're right, for some reason i...Love this Dan. And you're right, for some reason it's easier for a non-pastor or elder to state these obvious things. The noisy kiddies is a real issue in our church. We have a fantastic nursery and workers and kids worship for the slightly older ones, that go almost unused. I think it has to do with the idolization young parents today seem to apply to their children.<BR/><BR/>A humorous (not at the time) anecdote on these lines. When our oldest was only about 5 (he's 23 now and a senior at TMC, headed for seminary) he was making a lot of noise in church one Sunday. So I gave him the "dad is displeased with your noise" look. To which he replied, loud enough for everyone in the place to hear, <I>"No Dad, don't hit me again!"</I>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-4461052594037544562008-12-05T23:31:00.000-06:002008-12-05T23:31:00.000-06:00Dan with regards to your first point I had a pasto...Dan with regards to your first point I had a pastor that liked to turn up unannounced at homes usually with a very embarrassed elder/deacon in tow. Now I love to have the pastor visit but I would appreciate if he would let people know that he was planning on visiting.<BR/><BR/>This allows me to remove all distractions and focus on the conversation.P.D. Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17885909266458802577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-52020707152529394742008-12-05T22:09:00.000-06:002008-12-05T22:09:00.000-06:003GD - EEEEEWWWWWWW.No wonder the terrorists hate u...3GD - <BR/><BR/>EEEEEWWWWWWW.<BR/><BR/>No wonder the terrorists hate us. :)Rachael Starkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10781158372237369417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-25952561586556308962008-12-05T21:33:00.000-06:002008-12-05T21:33:00.000-06:00Rachael Starke,In at least some parts of this fair...Rachael Starke,<BR/><BR/>In at least some parts of this fair land, I reckon that the love affair is with <EM>chewing</EM> more than <EM>chewing gum</EM>.<BR/><BR/>Now, social convention and health concerns are all fine and dandy, but at the end of the day, us country folks, well, we're a gonna chew <EM>somethin'</EM>. It'll either be gum, or it'll be <A HREF="http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~schacht/rhe309k/redman.jpg" REL="nofollow">this</A>. You pick.<BR/><BR/>;-)threegirldadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10514416693800430357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-27949178911110975612008-12-05T21:10:00.000-06:002008-12-05T21:10:00.000-06:00Yes, indeed that's a good one too.Yes, indeed that's a good one too.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-31699333820850316012008-12-05T21:00:00.000-06:002008-12-05T21:00:00.000-06:00Where does "get there on time" rank on this list? ...Where does "get there on time" rank on this list? I know it's a huge one for my pastor (who occasionally talks about locking the doors once the service starts) and for my wife - which was utterly convicting for me. Why, exactly, did I have trouble getting there on time? Is it too much to ask that we not come rushing in late, and instead get there, settle in, and get prepared to actually worship? What was more important than preparing for church?<BR/><BR/>It seems like I should treat God with at least as much respect as my employer (Mal 1) - and habitually showing up late and distracted doesn't seem like it would cut it at work.trogdorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452996348717802065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-81875791694198516922008-12-05T17:41:00.000-06:002008-12-05T17:41:00.000-06:00Our church is such a blessing. The kids are in the...Our church is such a blessing. The kids are in the sanctuary with parents, and I have not experienced a quieter group elsewhere. I love that our church is reverent and respectful during services.<BR/><BR/>We visit churches occasionally that are closer to our home, and I get irritated when people saunter in late, and when people converse during the singing time. Gum chewing is also annoying at times.candyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06088593538648596769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-71027766318147832762008-12-05T15:55:00.000-06:002008-12-05T15:55:00.000-06:00Doug — I don't think I acted up in church again un...<B>Doug</B> — <I>I don't think I acted up in church again until I was the pastor</I><BR/><BR/>...and then you started acting up again!DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-41853030615695981032008-12-05T15:05:00.000-06:002008-12-05T15:05:00.000-06:00I seem to recall, and have been told about it by m...I seem to recall, and have been told about it by my folks, that back when I was about 4 or 5, we were in chapel service at Clark Air Base, Philippines (dad was Air Force), and I acted up. Dad took me out. After the service, I had to go up to the Chaplain/Lt. Colonel/Very Intimidating Person Wearing Robe Over Uniform(generic Protestant service) and APOLOGIZE!!! I don't think I acted up in church again until I was the pastor.<BR/><BR/>Point being: Mom and Dad had expectations. We kids had little 'quiet books' that we could fidget with during the sermon, but we were expected to sing with the hymns, and not disturb the sermon. So, we learned to do it.<BR/><BR/>Side funny: Why is it important to be quiet during the sermon? Because people are sleeping!!!Doug Hibbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01099486048716032843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-74608610494373409322008-12-05T14:59:00.000-06:002008-12-05T14:59:00.000-06:00Is there any other country in the world that has s...Is there any other country in the world that has such a love affair with gum???!! Seriously, it's bad for you jaw, bad for your teeth, unnecessary when you go to any drug store and view the myriad of options for breath cleansing, throat soothing and smoking liberation...<BR/><BR/>When I was growing up in Australia, whenever someone wanted to pretend to be an American in a skit or on T.V., right after their (hilariously bad) attempt at the accent was the wad of gum.Rachael Starkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10781158372237369417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-78893261516085103422008-12-05T14:56:00.000-06:002008-12-05T14:56:00.000-06:00Well, you wouldn't like my church, where the coffe...Well, you wouldn't like my church, where the coffee and snacks are put out <I>before</I> the service, and everybody who wants any gets theirs and brings it with them to consume during the service. The teenagers go back for 2nds and 3rds, and... all during the service.<BR/><BR/>Just one of the many reasons why I don't like the church I'm in.Mike Westfallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06944727980772754938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-29155877761382359782008-12-05T14:45:00.000-06:002008-12-05T14:45:00.000-06:00Well yes, that's exactly right. Like in the field,...Well yes, that's exactly right. Like in the field, you just see the jaw go 'round... and 'round... and 'round....DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-84392910970120079222008-12-05T14:44:00.000-06:002008-12-05T14:44:00.000-06:00I had a college professor who banned gum-chewing o...I had a college professor who banned gum-chewing on the grounds that the motion involved had a hypnotic effect on him. You should add that to your list.threegirldadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10514416693800430357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-52867458983183828832008-12-05T14:42:00.000-06:002008-12-05T14:42:00.000-06:00Dan-:) Personally, I'm equally thrilled that we ha...Dan-<BR/><BR/>:) Personally, I'm equally thrilled that we have pastor that actually <I>preaches</I> about it!<BR/><BR/>They haven't asked that yet, but I vivdly remember the Sunday Mike preached before communion on how Jesus fulfilled each of the covenants - Adamics, Noahic, etc., and how that related to communion.<BR/><BR/>My 7 y.o. proceeded to draw a page (with a little Mommy help) depicting each of the covenants- Davidic was a man with a crown, Noahic was a rainbow, etc. And then she presented them to him after the service.<BR/><BR/>We'd only been at the church a little while, but it was one of those defining "I love my pastor <I>and</I> my girl" moments I won't soon forget.Rachael Starkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10781158372237369417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-19372999575173606232008-12-05T14:34:00.000-06:002008-12-05T14:34:00.000-06:00Unless there's a health epidemic I haven't heard o...Unless there's a health epidemic I haven't heard of yet, I doubt that intractable throat issues (irremediable by peppermints) accounts for the full tonnage of gum I've seen chewed.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-30084149983018075222008-12-05T14:29:00.000-06:002008-12-05T14:29:00.000-06:00Good admonitions, except for the gum-chewing. Gra...Good admonitions, except for the gum-chewing. Granted, no bubble-blowing, or snapping or popping, but I have a chronic cough, and about the only thing that keeps it quiet is chewing gum. I do chew quietly, and sit in the back, so hopefully it is not too distracting. (^8Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15073919075694663481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-16113208326868385162008-12-05T14:28:00.000-06:002008-12-05T14:28:00.000-06:00Well, I'm sure you're right, R - but as a preacher...Well, I'm sure you're right, R - but as a preacher, it might make my day to hear a li'l tike even <I>attempt</I> to spell "propitiation." (Though I'd probably put it on my outline.)DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-86574380121160553882008-12-05T14:26:00.000-06:002008-12-05T14:26:00.000-06:00The phrase we've used with our kids is "Don't be d...The phrase we've used with our kids is "Don't be distracting."<BR/><BR/>This covers talking, squirming, shuffling the papers they're coloring on, asking too loudly for help spelling "propitiation."Rachael Starkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10781158372237369417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-54903321289515212922008-12-05T14:22:00.000-06:002008-12-05T14:22:00.000-06:00Good point. I may revise the "Don't talk." I was a...Good point. I may revise the "Don't talk." I was aiming at brevity.<BR/><BR/>As to the other:<BR/><BR/>The beauty of my phrasing, however, is that you <I>can't</I> disagree with me!<BR/><BR/>Unless you're saying that I really don't find gum-chewing distracting and bovinous.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-48664255403042938412008-12-05T14:19:00.000-06:002008-12-05T14:19:00.000-06:00A couple of points: 1. The chewing gum thing. We h...A couple of points: <BR/><BR/>1. The chewing gum thing. We have a woman who sings at our church who chews gum to keep saliva built up so her voice doesn't crack.<BR/><BR/>2. As to the kids, might I suggest <B>Don't make noise</B>. That is, unless you don't have any children that take you literally (you can borrow mine for a taste of that experience if you like).<BR/><BR/>3. I agree about not making getting taken out of the service a pleasant experience. My personal solution is for the offending child (or children) to stand in the center of the nursery with their hands on their heads, absolutely silent. Facing away from other children if necessary (more than one offender)....until the portion of service (singing, etc) is over.<BR/><BR/>Great points..though I'm not too sure I agree with the gun chewing one. I honestly don't care (as someone who has been given the pulpit a few times) but I do see your point.<BR/><BR/><I>hand of correction</I>...<BR/><BR/>Is that what they call it ;)VcdeChagnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09061295600050633057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-35739174124064758712008-12-05T14:13:00.000-06:002008-12-05T14:13:00.000-06:00Oh, mercy, yes: not just attenders, but readers, p...Oh, mercy, yes: not just attenders, but readers, pray-ers, singers, musicians. Sad, but true.<BR/><BR/>And no, I didn't make it up. My first pastorate, again and again when I'd call on folks, I'd eventually give up hope and just meekly ask if they'd please turn off the TV. The request always seemed to surprise them.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.com