Consistently late to church — does anyone really care?
February 202010
I have a minor disagreement, and I was curious as to what all y’all think. If there is a person, or couple, or family, in your church, temple, or what have you that is consistently 3-7 minutes late for the service, does it REALLY bother you? As long as they don’t make a dramatic, noisy entrance? Would you not just be glad that they were OK and could make it to share fellowship? Or would you view it as disrespect to the rest of the church and God Himself? Or something totally different?
Thanks all!
None of my beeswax, period. I would leave that up to the church leaders, whoever they are. My church has LOTS of babies and little children attending the services, and sometimes those families arrive a bit late. In the Southwest USA they might say " they’re just on Indian/native American time" (which I’ve heard is part of some Indian cultures) and just let it go, as I do. I figure that whoever the creator is he/ she or it is so preoccupied and ego less that he/she/it won’t get in a huff about being "disrespected" in some very petty situation. Its not as being late to church can be compared to the Holocaust, the Inquisition, etc after all, where the creator and millions of his/her children really were being disrespected. And If the church members or its leaders get all upset? Well, then they better just untwist their knickers. My opinion anyhow.
February 20th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
wow.
Let’s put it like this.
The Bible says you should go to church.
Period.
Speak where the Bible speaks. Silent where the Bible is silent.
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
I am pentecostal. We consistently start service about 10 minutes late. But I try my best to be on time. Church is important. You are going to hang out with God. Why would you want to be late?
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
I doesnt matter to me as long as Im there early. I cant help it when people come in late. For this reason, I dont drive them to church.
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
I would’nt make a big deal out of it, and of course I would be glad they even showed up, but it would make me wonder why they could’nt find it possible to show up on time every Sunday, and had to be late every time, But no it would’nt bother me.
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Well…if they arrive after the reading of the Holy Gospel – then it is my prerogative and tradition that I may refuse to allow them to receive Holy Communion. I have never done this…but I know plenty of Easter Orthodox Priests who DO!!
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
My pastor said that he’s going to tell everyone from now on church starts at 9:45 so then everyone would be there by 10:00. He was joking of course, but then went on to say that you wouldn’t think of being 5 minutes late for work on a consistent basis – how much more important is it to be on time for God? (And don’t think I’m preaching – I think I was the one he was talking to! lol)
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
I don’t see why they would be late every single time, seems like they would learn to leave 3-7 minutes early to be on time. It wouldn’t really bother me if their entrance isn’t noticeable, but I think it’s kind of disrespectful and rude in general to consistently show up late without a good reason.
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
As long as they didn’t disrupt the church service, what is the harm. You didn’t say how big the family was, maybe they have a hard time getting every body ready. Nobody knows why they are always late, it could be disrespect, but it is probably something else. Do they have a car, and is it in good running order. Has any one tried to find out if it was something that maybe some one in the church could help them out with? All I am saying is that I don’t think that they should be judged. Any way, I would just be glad that they were able to make it.
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
I think initially you would naturally think it was disrespectful, but I learned a good lesson and that was that a lady that was ALWAYS late for Mass had to take a bus and it was the absolute soonest she could get there so I think we should wait until you know the story before you judge. I don’t think I would go to Mass during the week if I had to take the bus so honestly she was doing better than me.
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Something totally different. I don’t think worship needs to be so formal as to begin and end at specified times. If you want to attend a church or whatever, let it be open and friendly and free all day, and if you miss a sermon or prayer or hymn, let someone who was there tell you about it – if they were paying any attention!
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
None of my beeswax, period. I would leave that up to the church leaders, whoever they are. My church has LOTS of babies and little children attending the services, and sometimes those families arrive a bit late. In the Southwest USA they might say " they’re just on Indian/native American time" (which I’ve heard is part of some Indian cultures) and just let it go, as I do. I figure that whoever the creator is he/ she or it is so preoccupied and ego less that he/she/it won’t get in a huff about being "disrespected" in some very petty situation. Its not as being late to church can be compared to the Holocaust, the Inquisition, etc after all, where the creator and millions of his/her children really were being disrespected. And If the church members or its leaders get all upset? Well, then they better just untwist their knickers. My opinion anyhow.
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
When I was working Saturday nights, I couldn’t go to church because I couldn’t stay awake for the service. When my schedule was changed, I was glad because I missed being there. Since I’m in the choir, I now won’t let them put me back on Saturday nights anymore. Luckily, I’m in walking distance to church, so a bus schedule or car pool wouldn’t make me late.
References :
February 20th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
If I went to church regularly, then it wouldn’t bother me. I’d be delighted that someone could conquer their embarrassment to join the congregation despite the malicious and judgmental glances of some congregations. It would be much easier for them to miss going altogether.
I remember, as a 7 year old child going to Canterbury Cathedral in England, during a service. It is an old old building, grand and adorned in stone sculptures of gargoyles and demons, the fashion in the time of its construction many centuries ago.
I was drawn to go in for some reason, as 7 year olds are and I entered the vast double doors, and yelled at the top of my voice "It’s very QUIET in here"
Of course my Grandad took me back outside, but he told me "they needed to hear that"
It took me two decades to understand what he meant.
References :