Last week I talked a bit about a girl who didn’t close her eyes when a prayer was said. I pointed out that she was being silly, and that the adults response to her was just as silly.

I tried to encourage us to rethink our own positions on things, lest we fall into either of the “silly” groups ourselves. We should try not to do things on purpose that cause people to stumble, and we should try to overlook those who are immature and behave poorly to further some personal agenda.

But I was unfair, it was mentioned, because sometimes folks do things that they really don’t see any harm in and are unaware that they are driving everyone else nuts. So instead of acting out of arrogance or self-importance, maybe they just don’t know that what they are doing is any sort of issue or problem.

So let’s define a few things here right up front, like when I say issue. There are things that are sinful, there are things that are distracting, there are things that are inappropriate. I think that covers all bases – something may be one, two, or all three of these but if it’s an “issue” in any way then it’s something we need to resolve either by not doing or being more tolerant. For instance.

My dad has an arm that shakes uncontrollably. Myself, I would find that just a bit distracting if he sat on the pew with me. I worry about him. I suppose it bothers him, too, but he still worships God. Likely I would become tolerant of it, too, especially since it isn’t sinful (or even on purpose!) Oh I guess we could ban him to the “shaking section” where all the shaking people sit. Kidding!

I once sat behind a couple who started to make out during the lesson. Now, I would think that was inappropriate. I certainly found it distracting. And we can debate if it’s sinful behavior or not, but I think you’d lose if you said it wasn’t. The thing is, there’s no “making out” section for such things – it simply needs not be done. Once someone spoke to the couple it never happened again that I knew of. Now they DID hold hands in church (scandalous!) but once they realized they were bothering everyone else the necking stopped. They showed a love for others (and saved their love for each other for somewhere else!)

Some parents feed their children in services. It’s not like it’s a secret, what with the pews stained with milk and juice and covered in cracker crumbs. My thought on that is it’s not appropriate. Feed a baby or two year old some cereal? Sure. When Dave was small and ate from a bottle, I held him. That was the only way we did it, and we never had any spills. I worried about messes I had to clean, and staining the pews. You know, someone else may want to sit there! Yes it kept him quiet, yes he didn’t understand he had to be quiet. But around the time he got to be three then the eating stopped, period. We ate at home or in the car, but not in church. Is it sinful to feed kids past two? Well, it certainly is a stumbling block for others. Is it distracting? Oh yes! Watching Fritz or Fritzine dump their bottle out when mom isn’t looking. I’ve had my steam cleaner at church trying to get these stains out. Can’t these kids learn to behave without meals? Short answer – yes. Firm training.

Sleeping in church, who hasn’t? Watching someone nod off, their head bobbing and snapping back up. Preachers complain that we can watch movies or baseball games for hours without sleeping, why can’t we listen to a 40 minute sermon? I can only say what’s right here – quit staying out so late on Saturday night and get some rest! Watching you drool away with your head twisted at some awkward angle is very distracting. Sinful? Well, probably not unless you are falling asleep on purpose. Then I would argue that was a problem. Inappropriate? Boy, for once I would say it depends on the lesson. In my life I have indeed heard some lessons I would have been better off sleeping through! Wish I could say I was kidding. But show some respect for others, and God.

Immodest dress – sinful, distracting, inappropriate. See how easy that was?

People who use the bulletin as a bully pulpit, to get some point across. Don’t you hate that? Sinful? Probably not. Distracting? Well, not likely. Inappropriate? Ah yes, let’s get back to more encouraging, friendly topics next week, OK? Sure, sometimes we need to hear lessons we may not want to apply to ourselves. I’ll let the preacher do it instead and take all the heat! Besides, if you have issues with the bulletin, well, read it with those eyes closed, silly!

Randy