Though countless people attend church services every week, there is one thing that many people feel is in decline, which is manners. There may be various reasons for this, such as the distractions of technology, like cell phones and Blackberries, and the increasingly casual and relaxed atmosphere many churches encourage as a way to draw more congregants. But whatever the reasons, there are times when people need a gentle reminder or an all out refresher course on church etiquette. While certain rules of etiquette will depend upon the religious traditions and customs of the church being attended, much of church etiquette is based on good manners and common sense.
Be on Time
Being late to a church service can be disruptive to those who are attending, not to mention you’ll be missing out on part of the service. Do your best to arrive at church, get seated and settled in, before the service begins. If, despite your best efforts, you do arrive late, enter as quietly as possible and find a seat in a quick, non-disruptive manner.
Don’t leave Early
Just as disruptive as arriving late are those who decide to leave before the service has ended. Before you decide to duck out early so you can get to that dinner date, or hurry home to catch the big game on T.V., remember you are there for God. Choose to stay in the presence of God for the entire service and stay until the final blessing.
*There are exceptions for leaving early, such as if you feel ill, or if you need to remove your child when they become too vocal or begin to cry.
Dress Appropriately
Even though the dress code for many church congregations is more casual than in years past, there are still some things that aren’t in good taste to wear at church. So, forget about the short skirt, grubby sweats, low slung jeans, blouse with a plunging neckline, the baseball cap, or the tee shirt with a suggestive saying on it. Even if you’re going casual, remember you’re in the presence of God, so dress tastefully and conservatively.
Save the Socializing for After Church
Even though it’s great to see friends or family members when you first arrive at church, the sanctuary of the church isn’t the place to chat, share a joke or catch up on the latest gossip. Be respectful of the church sanctuary, and those around you, and save the socializing for when you leave the church sanctuary after the church service has ended.
Take Care of Your Needs Before Church
This means, get that drink of water and use the restroom before the church service begins. The same goes for your children too. A constant stream of people getting up and down to use the restroom or get a drink of water can be very disruptive to a church service. If nature calls and you can’t wait, try to use the restroom when the congregation is singing or standing up, for this will be less disruptive.
Turn off the Electronics
This means the cell phone, BlackBerry, pager, iPod or anything else electronic that will cause noise during the church service. If you are someone, such as a doctor, who must keep their cell phone or pager on, keep it on silent or vibrate.
Refrain from Snacking
Church is not the place to be opening candy in noisy wrappers, snacking or chewing gum. If you really need to have a mint or cough drop, that’s fine, but do so as quietly as possible. It’s also understandable that young children may need a small snack during a church service. If so, come prepared with a snack item that’s not messy and one that isn’t packaged in a noisy, crinkly wrapper.
Even though going to church can be a social, community gathering, first and foremost it is a time to honor God. By keeping in mind that you are in the House of God, and showing proper respect, you can help make the church service be a truly sacred experience for yourself and everyone.
