Faith

9 Things You Should Stop Doing In Church

You would agree with me that there certain behaviors that are inappropriate in a church gathering.

While we know that we are saved and kept by grace and we are led by the Spirit of God, it is also important for subjects like this to be discussed. In the epistles, Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth on how they should behave in Church (1 Corinthians 11: 17-34).  Again in 1 Timothy 3:14-15, he told them how the instructions he had given was to help them conduct themselves in church. Hence, we see that there is a “proper” way to behave in church.

First, we need to be reminded of the purpose of the church. God never intended for believers to live in isolation. He created the believer to thrive in the midst of other believers. So the church is a place to be taught and edified. It is also a place for fellowship amongst one another and for fulfillment of the Great Commission.

God never intended for believers to live in isolation. He created the believer to thrive in the midst of other believers. So the church is a place to be taught and edified. Click To Tweet

Having laid this foundation, let’s go straight right into the 9 things you should not do in church:

1. Fighting the ushers:

Please, just stop. The church is also for the building of character and exercising ourselves to godliness. We ought to learn how to submit ourselves to authority – even the greeters.

Some would just argue with or blatantly disregard the ushers when they direct them to where they are to sit. It’s just wrong and can be embarrassing. Often times, they direct people to the front first just so that the pews are filled up in an orderly manner and service isn’t disrupted when people come in late.

Although if you think you have a genuine reason for not seating in a particular position, it’s wise to politely communicate with the usher.

We ought to learn how to submit ourselves to authority - even the greeters. Click To Tweet

2. Going late to church:

Brethren, going late to church is a very bad behavior. It tells of your heart and honor for God. If you have a meeting with the president or your boss, I doubt if you’d wait for one hour to go past first before you go.

Some people deliberately come late to church so that they’d miss the preliminaries: opening prayer, worship, and preliminaries. Nah, that’s not good. Repent.

Going late to church is very bad behavior. It tells of your heart and honor for God. Click To Tweet

3. Disregarding part of the service:

I remember some years ago (let’s say when I was pretty young and unserious), every Sunday at a particular time of the service I always step outside not to use the loo or attend to anything serious but just to wait out that particular part of the service because I didn’t think it was important.

Now I know better; every part of a church service is intentionally designed to serve a purpose.  So you dance and sweat during worship but will always feel like going to the toilet during the prayer session.

Don't miss any part of the service because every part of a church service is intentionally designed to serve a purpose. Click To Tweet

At this point, I must say that in all honesty, some churches miss it and have all manner of things introduced in their program. I’d advise you do not attend church out of sentiment, go to where would bless you in line with the scripture and as you are led by God.

Sometimes being part of a department may shift your attention from the main service to the role your department play, so subconsciously, your service is complete when your duty is met. But it’s important to make a conscious effort to benefit from all the aspects (or rest) of the service because that is where your growth and blessings lie.

4. Sleeping in Church:

Brethren, brethren! This is bad behavior. I get that sometimes we are exhausted and all that but that isn’t a good enough excuse. This is because somehow we manage to stay awake through boring board meetings, other work meetings and during exams in school. Why then do we not display that discipline when we get to church meetings? #ThinkAboutIt

Don’t be like the guy that fell down and died in the bible because of sleep. Even when he was raised back by Paul through God’s power, the teaching still continued. Paul didn’t end the service because of that. Whatever it would take you to stay alert in church, do it.

We manage to stay awake through boring board meetings, other work meetings and during exams in school. Why then do we not display that discipline when we get to church meetings. Click To Tweet

5. Going to church without writing materials: 

By writing materials, I do not mean physical although I personally prefer it. I mean having a structured archive of your church notes (maybe physical or digital) This is important because it tells of the readiness of your heart to learn. You do not go to a lecture without something to take down what you learn. Why do we come to church without something to take notes with?

Beyond just going to church with notes or devices, make sure you actually take note plus it’s important to revise your notes when you go home. Have a mindset of learning towards God’s word.

The church is every believer’s bible school. So, how seriously do you take your spiritual education?

The church is every believer's bible school, therefore, take your spiritual education seriously. Click To Tweet

6. Distracting others:

Look sis (and bro too), I know worship was sweet but you shouldn’t be the one humming when the pastor is teaching and you also shouldn’t be the one showing your neighbor a funny tweet or murmuring and gisting. There is time for everything. Treat church time with honor.

Also, do well to put your phone on a no-noise mode. Alarms, phone calls and all types of sound notification can be very distracting.

7. Walking about during service:

It’s wrong to be going to the bathroom a gazillion times especially when you’re seated in a pew and others have to stand up or adjust for you to pass. It can be really distracting. You can make it a conscious decision to empty your bowels before service and do whatever else you need to do before coming in.

8. Using your Phones:

While it is okay to use the Bible and Notepad application on your phone during the service, replying chats, selfies, texting, calling or any other social media activity is inappropriate when you are in a church service.

Let’s look at it like this, you know how annoying it is when you are trying to have a conversation with bae but he/she will not stop looking and replying to messages every other second. The same way honor the Lord and your authority by not using your phone during service.

9. Dressing Inappropriately:

Do not let your dressing be a stumbling block for another. It’s totally fine to be stylish but it’s more important to be modest and also comfortable. Don’t let your dressing be the reason why somebody can’t focus during worship.

Do not let your dressing be a stumbling block for another. It's totally fine to be stylish but it's more important to be modest and also comfortable. Click To Tweet

I’ll conclude by saying in all things, be led by God’s Spirit as the son of God that you are and let your moderation be known to all men.

I’ll love to hear from you so please let me know how else not to behave in the church in the comment section.

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