CHURCH Pet Peeves
 

I am feeling a little peevish today. LOL, but for real when you are in the HOUSE OF THE LORD, what gets your spirit a little angered or disturbed?

This is only one for right now but TRUST me I have goo gobs, but this one is number one right now.

What IS UP WTIH these teenagers coming in "club like clothes" or "totally dressed down"? For example why are parents spending all their cheddar on FUBU, those shiny gray jeans, etc. but do not buy their children church attire? HECK NAW. My mama would not let me wear denim dresses to church. Then there are girls who the past couple of Sundays have worn flip flops to church. NOT SANDALS but FLIP FLOPS as in shower shoes for college but maybe a little bit better. I know you are supposed to come to church not focused on what a person wears but pardon me some of that is BULL. I mean come on, you mean to tell me that you are an educated person but you don't have enough authority in your house to tell your child to put on a dress or dress pants. Then yesterday at the church concert, this one heffa too lazy to bump her hair had on a sun visor and this short azz tennis skirt with tennis shoes. DA HECK!?!?!!?


I am not talking about the poor or less fortunate families who do not have the money but the kids who have cell phones, Coach bags, but wear their new FUBU jersey to church instead of dress slacks, shirt and tie.

I thought I was the only one that had a problem with this. My church does not adhere to a strict dress code but I believe that there are just some things you don't wear to church. When I was a teen I had the "trendy" clothes but on Sunday morning I had to break out the shirt and slacks. In fact, none of the teens at the church I attended in high school wore jeans or t-shirts, regardless of how "cool" they were on the schoolyard.

This, like many of the other problems with today's youth, goes back to parenting. There is something wrong if you will buy your child a $65 FUBU jersey or an $75 pair of Girbaud jeans but won't buy them a $10 dress shirt and a $15 pair of slacks for church or for other functions. These are also the same kids that have the new Jordans but no school supplies, but that's another thread.

My mother always said "Come as you are" means, if you are a sinner you are still welcome in the house of the Lord. Not come wearing your club gear.

I have a problem with parents who don't make their kids sit down in church. The little kids running all over the church during the sermon. :mad:

I know I may get some slack for this, but I hate when churchs pass the collection plate before, during, after, and as your walking out of the sermon. I have no problem with putting money back in the church, but don't try to convince me to give more than I planned. At my cousin's church I have heard them say "Give faithfully and the Lord will provide the rest". I have complete faith in God, as well as complete faith that I am already overdrawn in my checking account.

Gossip
 

When I go to church, I go there so that I can hear a word that will minister to my soul. I don't go there to catch up on the "latest". I don't like for someone to come up to me with how they "don't like this person" and "she does'nt sing this song right". I don't wanna hear it. All of that is nothing but fodder for the enemy. If they took that energy and focused it on living for him and the betterment of his kingdom. Rather than to worry about what someone else is doing, this world would be a better place. "Those with 'glass houses' shouldn't throw stones".

I agree. I recently visted a church and they asked if there was anyone who could give $100, please stand up. When only like 3 people stood up they said "How many can give $20?" then a few more people stood up? The preacher then asked this again for a $10 offering. After that he said, if you could not give $10 today, you can come to tomorrow's service and give the $10. I was so heated. Now, I am a college student and only had $2 in my purse so I gave just that $2. My friend and I were so heated that we left after the offering. To make it even worse, the deacons looked down at us when we put our money in the plate! :mad:

FOOD
 

When did it become popular to go to the grocery store before you come to church? :confused: These chillun be having like an 8 course meal and a toaster for the pop tarts and drink boxes, etc. EAT BEFORE YOU COME!!!:mad:

What gets me is when the preacher says to lock the doors during offering so no one can leave out. That's taking it way too far! And why is it that I've known a church that has passed around a building fund collection plate for the past twenty odd years and not a dang thing has been rehabbed?! By now you have enough for a cathedral! And worst of all is when the preacher tries to call you out, " Sis. Vanda, please stand up we haven't seen you since this time last year!" Also, what about those preachers that expect you to help them get limos and planes with your donations and all you have is a bus pass?

When I use to live in New Jersey people would rob the church during offering so they started to lock the doors.


My church doesn't have collrctions but we have tithe boxes throughout the church and people tithe.

But it upsets me that every sunday the same lady gets the spirit and just disrupts the sermon(I have to continuously pray on this for forgiveness)
I know people get happy but The Spirit has never moved me like that, do you think I could be jealous?

I have one. Mine is the noseyness/two-face attitudes at church. I love the church I'm at now, but let me tell you about my parent's church back down south. I came home for a visit last year (this was after my divorce), and everyone was hugging on me and "ohhh, Sister, how you been." The preacher's daughter (nerd) was asking me about married life and asking all kind of inapropriate (re: sex) questions. Other members were asking me about life "up North" and such. I was not in a mood to give them details of my life. Did I mention that these were the same people that ostracized me when I became pregnant with my son? That kind of attitude bothers me. What happened to loving everyone as He loved us? That's one of the reasons my trips down south are few. As we speak, I'm bracing myself for Thanksgiving when I'm bringing my fiance with me.

Oh my goodness, "lock the doors during offering...limos and planes with your donations"--that is taking things way too far. I don't really have a problem with offering. I pay my tithing faithfully and that's all God requires of me. The support of the church and various ministries comes from that. Don't get me wrong times when I have more, I do give more because truly God is good-all the time.

I do however, have a peeve with clothing. Club attire is not church attire. It was instilled in me early on that you give God your best and that also meant how you dressed. Why do we some think its appropriate to where jeans and tennis shoes, sundresses and flip-flops to church. What's worse is that were talking about outfits that cost good money. Spend that same money on a nice dress and some pumps or a pair of slacks and a shirt.

Lastly, I know this is becoming more and more popular but I have a big problem with "dancing" in church. I mean literal dancing. Mind you, I'm not talking about "holy ghost" shouting or getting happy. Dancing. I visited one church where I left thinking- was I at church or at a party. Too much

Oh, that's my church. HC We have benches in there older than me. I haven't seen any real improvements in years.

When services last any more than one hour. It is quite unneccessary to have church from 10:30 am to 1:45 pm. :eek:

LMBBO. you must be Catholic or something because TRUST if you go to a BAPTIST service you won't leave before 1:00 unless there is a guest minister who did not feel like preaching but came anyway.

THE FINGER in church: When people get up in the middle service and they point the index finger straight up as a symbol of EXCUSE ME and some women combine it with a TIP TOE. Just leave already.

This is some mess
 

1) Children playing with gameboys etc.
2) Adults talking
3) People just up walkin around for no reason
4) Gum being popped
5) Church Commercials (big screen droppin down during service to sell the pastor's new book)
6) Ministers calling people out (talkin about his wife from the pulpit)
7) Being told who I should vote for

The list could go on but... I want to remain in a good spirt today!

I currently attend a non-denominational church, which it's service last about an hour and a half.

Before then I attended a Church in God in Christ church. That was the one that lasted about four hours. I sung in the choir, that helped to pass time (a little).

Sitting still, and worse, holding my attention to something more than 30 minutes just ain't my thing.

*Another peeve about my previous church, if you were female and didn't come to church in sequins or were male and didn't come in a limegreen suit, you would be a total outcast. Like someone said above, I agree that you should come as you are.

-Congregations are SOOOOO large that it is hard to have a one-on-one relationship with the minister, NOT the associate minister(s)

-You attend a wedding and the minister who is in the pulpit EVERY Sunday delivering the sermon does not perform the marriage ceremony. I feel if you are good enough to preach to me, you can marry me. And no, usually things have not "come up" it's about the $$$.

-Asking for tax papers. I think NOT!

-Having an ATM in the church. (see old thread at AKA)

I'm really trippin' off of this thread. :D :D :D I also am currently very satisfied with my church here in Richmond. I'm from S.C and oftentimes I compare how things are in church here versus how they were (and continue to be) back home. I have a problem with people (particularly ones back home---even MORE specifically, my oldest sister) telling EVERYONE else that they don't have "it" (meaning that they aren't saved or have God in their lives). I also don't like it when I'm asked WHY I don't attend my church back home when I'm visiting. Hey, I DON'T FEEL WELCOMED 90% of the time. No one wants to speak. Everyone is looking at you like you got a booger in your nose. Now WHY would I want to put myself through that kind of mess? There are PLENTY more (many of which others have hit on), but that could take all day.

I am so glad this drives other people nuts.

I see adults in church dressed down too - but I think this goes back to the kind of jobs people have. When this country was mostly factories/farms it was a big deal to wear "Sunday best." Nowadays, if you have a job where you wear a suit and tie every day I can see wanting to give it a rest on Sunday.

The kids have no excuse though. Acolytes with sneakers on under their robes make me nuts. Hey, parents - go to Target and get your kid one good pair of dress shoes and 2 pair of good pants. You can do it for under $50, really!! These kids are going to have a rude awakening when they go for job interviews in jeans and a t shirt.

Sidenote for rural congregations: I appreciate the fact that you got up and milked the cows, Mr. Local Farmer, but please change your clothes before you come to church!! :p

Well people I grew up in a Baptist church in Miss, so I can totally relate to the following per peeves:

1. service lasting from 11 - 1:30 :eek:
2. the calling out of folks
3. the "finger" in the air as you leave
4. the 3, 4, 5 collections
5. the funeral home church fans
6. the load bad kids
7. even the communion of stale crackers and Welch's grape juice

or my favorite pet peeve: CAN SOMEONE TELL THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC THAT THE MICROPHONES AND SPEAKERS DO NO HAVE TO BE TURNED UP SO LOUD ! :mad: SISTER JOHNSON SINGS (OR SCREAMS INTO THE MIC) LOUD ENOUGH AS IT IS !!!!

But now I attend a UMC (united methodist church) and let me tell you that some of you guys would not like it, but I love it.

The service only last about an hour and it is not only come as you are (jeans, slacks, dress, what have you) but they also offer different types of services. Plus, they have day care, so that means no more LOUD BEBE KIDS running up and down the aisle!
AMEN!!!
Ok, here is a Sunday at my church

10am - Traditional church service
11am - Praise and Worship
12am - Youth led service
1pm - High energy service (christian rap, soul, etc.)

UGHHHHHHH......those little kids crying all the damn time and running around everywhere. UGh I cannot stand that!!!!!!!!! Oh and people coming in late too, that rubs me the wrong way :o

Ronnie:D

Just wondering why? I personally don't think it should bother anyone as long as the people slip in the back and don't make a major disruption. For all people know, perhaps the people just got off work, or had to deal with something right before they came. Or maybe even woke up and didn't feel like going for whatever reason but then something moved them later on to get on up and go.

My fiance and I personally (in ATL) go to church purposely late to hear the choir sing and the sermon. We are from a smaller city and not use to all this glitz, glamour, fame and money that majority of these churches here have. We have found that when we would go on time, we would feel discouraged by something that the minister would say during the earlier part of the service. Usually along the lines of telling the church that they're going to start calling members out that haven't been tithing or just telling people that they haven't been blessed because they haven't tithed. I was raised that tithing is a personal thing between an individual and the Lord and that the church's only concern should be to TEACH the importance not harass people or tell them to tithe or give just to receive something. Or the Pastor tries to entertain the crowd and talk about things (that we feel) is inappropriate for various reasons.

This all being said, we love to hear the choir sing and love the sermons preached. So we feel much more in the spirit when we avoid all of the above.

To add to my post, we have no problem tithing, giving to the offering etc. (which we do at our church because it is after the sermon), however, they do a little less harassing at the end then during the beginning or middle.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
[B]
5. the funeral home church fans


In my neighborhood you can tell what religion by the fans. The Baptists had Martin Luther King Jr. from Leak's funeral home, while the catholics had stained glass from Carter and so on. It was a trip

Cell phone going off...
 

I think it is so rude to be in church and a person's cell phone goes off. It is not difficult to either turn your phone off or put it on vibrate. And then there are some people who have the gall to answer it... in church!!!? Come on people, we've got to get it together.

Adults who scold children for their behavior and turn around and do the same thing.(Especially the elderly)

Long services

Too many offerings

Nosy people asking me where have I been and why I didn't come to church last week/month/year.Don't worry about why I wasn't here THEN, be glad I'm here TODAY.

so much to say...
 

It bothers me to see...

1) The same lady shout EVERY SINGLE SUNDAY! She's a little slow, but she has enough sense to know that she's faking. Last Sunday she took off her hat THEN SHOUTED! What's that all about?!

2) When people come to 8 AM service an hour late when they know it ends at 9:30, and feel like they've gotten their church in. If you're that late for church, you haven't been to church. You just caught the tail end of the sermon!

3) When people dress so casually at church and say that God says "come as you are." That scripture is directed to your heart, not your closet. However, when its time for them to go the club, beach, etc., they have on the proper clothes.

4) When people complain about how long church lasts. My church starts at 11 AM. There is never a dull moment in service to me. When I go, I'm thirsty for devotion, songs, and the sermon. Even the offering is something to be excited about. When we get out (around 1ish), I feel like rejuvenated. Personally, I feel that since God grants us six days to do whatever we want to do, why can't I offer him three hours of my time out of a Sunday? I also attend Sunday School.

5) My father is the pastor of my church and he is good in pointing my mom out and saying something he has no business saying! I hate it and we're always fussin' at him about it. But he does it in a joking way. If the pastor is fun and likes to crack jokes a lot of times, I can understand it sometimes, but when is on going, it gets old really quick.

6) Lastly, INCONSISTENT MEMBERS: People who come sometimes (Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day), just to say they came, because they think they're making God happy. And then have the nerve to say that it's not mandated to come to church. It's not in the Bible. That kills me!

This thread is too funny....

I have a few.

1. Those "super saints" who are always talking about what "da Lord done told them" I know some people got it like that, but don't put stuff on the Lord that you know he hasn't said just trying to get a crack in.

2. Super Saints number 2, Who, when they ask you to participate in some ministry activity and you politely decline, they start questioning your relationship with the Lord and how "young folks need to make more time for the Lord. Them folks at that job ain't got no heaven or hell to put you in." Uhhh...'scuse me, but I have been here 3 nights this week, work with 3 different ministries and quit trying to question my spirituality!!

3. People who sit in the choir and roll their eyes, talk about people, half listen to the sermon then have the nerve to get up and clap when they think the Pastor stepped on someone else's toes. Ummmmm we can see you up there people!!

4. I'll probably get hate mail for this one, but I don't care! :p Those little bitty non dancing praise dancers get on my nerves!! They can't half dance, and can't remember the steps. Either get better instructors or wait until they are a little older.

5. People who are quick to criticize (I know this sounds like a contridiction!), but slow to participate. These folks will always talk about what we shoulda done, but when it's time for the planning meeting they are no where to be found.

6. People who come to church late aren't that big a deal to me, but those who leave early make me :mad: ugh!!!!!! Where do you have to go that much in a hurry!! Man! My bible study is like a sea of folks leaving! I know Pastor can get a bit long winded sometimes, but if you know you need to leave sit in the back!! I especially hate it when folks try to leave during the invitation at the end of service. Then, folks have the nerve to get mad at the usher for making them stand at the door.

7. PARENTS of teenagers who don't make them sit with them during church. Hey, I know you think you are doing a good thing by bringing them to church, but if they are in the parking lot or sitting on the steps to the balcony then they aren't getting anything out of it!!

Man, I didn't know I had so many peeves!! LOL I do love my church though! Matter of fact, I'm going tonight!! :D

1) Churches that are so big, members/non-members are watching the sermon on TV from 4 different rooms. People can stay at home and watch a sermon preached on TV.

2) It also angers me at some of the things people wear, especially the young folks. Skintight jeans, tank tops with tattoos showing, etc.

3) Young people who go to church to see their little boyfriends/girlfriends.

What also irritates me about sometimes at church is that the announcements and preliminaries are soooooo long. It's like everyone feels like they have to give a sermon once they are on the pulpit. Just tell us about the Youth Day (or whatever event it is)and roll! :mad: I don't need you to give us a bio on ever participant.:rolleyes:

Good topic...I thought I was the only one feelin a little queezy with some of the stuff I see on Sunday mornin'. Ok, here's my three....

I can't stand it when the person raising the offering tries to make people feel guilty by saying, "If you give it to God, He'll give it back to you." What's that about ? Doesn't God have a cattle on a thousand hills? Why does he need my 20?

Or, the person leading the praise and worship comes off like they're makin a debut at the Apollo. Kids are crying and people are having national conversations, then they get mad and try and chastise the congregation for not flowing with them. They weren't feelin ya . ok ?!

And my worse pet peeve is the TEN THOUSAND ANNOUNCEMENTS:rolleyes:

This reminds me one time at my previous church, our offerings were raised because our pastor needed his teeth fixed! http://plaudersmilies.de/icon16.gif

*One more peeve that I forgot. What's up with the people who think if you don't shout, raise your hands, or roll on the floor, praising the lord, then you're not a christian. :rolleyes:

Loud kids can get on my nerves, but having a seperate room or daycare for kids bothers me too - they need to learn to sit and receive at some point!

This isn't so much directed at a single church, but the phenomenon of church hopping - it probably happens more in small cities, but it seems like every year or so there is a "flavor of the month" church that everyone up and runs to when they have the slightest problem at their own church!

My biggest pet peeve is choirs that dance while they are singing. If I wanted a juke fest I could have went to the club instead of church.

Dancing for the Lord in one thing but rolling, shaking and bumping and grinding is not necessary.

I guess you can tell I am not a huge Kirk Franklin fan. I love his music but the dancing has to go.

:eek: OMD! That's too much! :eek:

The "women shouldn't wear pants" policy in church.I have no idea who made that up.

You must be in Atlanta :D

I don't think there's anything wrong with women wearing pants in the church, however, I do believe that women should wear skirt suits to church as well. When I think church, I think of giving God my best, so not only do I want to give Him my best financially, spiritually, etc., I want to give Him my best by putting on my best of clothing. That's just a personal thought.

[/B] I feel you but personally I feel that if the "come as you are" is put into play, it shouldn't matter what you wearing as long as you are dressing in moderation.JMO

My interpretation of "come as you are" is internal-your heart, not how you dress. Granted, if you were homeless and didn't have proper clothing, that's legit, but if you have the clothes or money to wear more than a pair of pants or a pant suit to church, why limit your clothing to just a pant suit? My closet is filled with my work clothes, casual clothes, my going to the club clothes and my church clothes. The clothes that I wear to church (when I don't have to sing in the choir), I wouldn't wear to work because I would be a little overdressed.

I feel that we, as Christians put God second in a lot of ways. When we go the club, we buy new outfits, when we go the beach, we make sure we have on a swim suit/trunks. But when it's time for church, we put on a pant suit. Understand again, that I don't have a problem with women wearing pants to church. I just think that it's also cool to have the nice skirt or a nice skirt suit to wear as well. This is just my opinion. :)