Eternal Sunshine of Jimmy's Mind

Monday, March 27, 2006

Disrespectful

This post may ruffle some feathers, and I am not even sure if I can say this in a public forum. I may get shot down, or I may get support.

But was anyone else, who was at 6:45 last night, shocked at the amount of 'talking' which went on during the service?

It was obviously evident when Robin was playing that song for us all, but it goes further then that. Its the constant talking between singing, or even inbetween 'segments'.

Last night was ridiculous and disrespectful.

Church is not a time to catch up on the latest gossip, as I clearly saw people doing.

I had the best weekend away ever on the weekend, and I so wanted to post about that, but it was dampened by what I can only call 'disrespect'.

Keen to gather your thoughts.

Jim

posted by Jim at 10:48 AM

35 Comments:

  • Jim, I couldnt agree more! I was shocked and found it pretty discouraging! The sermon and singing were so good, yet the way people were talking through that - not only the first time but again when robin had already drawn attention to it, was just embarrassing!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:24 PM  

  • Yeh look I thought the talking during that song was poor form. But whether it had anything to do with 'cliques' ... well I reckon that's a pretty long bow to draw. I think it was just a bit of thoughtlessness. And Blazer -- don't forget that I did have to tap you on the shoulder to get you to shut up!

    But people wouldn't have talked had Wal not given them the chance too. Give 'em an inch ....

    So yeh -- disrespectful, thoughtless. But let's not get carried away too much. I reckon as a church we have far greater failings that could be addressed.

    Like not making houseparty a number one priority ...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:54 PM  

  • I agree that because Wal suggested the turn around and talk to someone thing, and then the music started while we were doing that, it was hard. But surely, after Robin got up there and suggested we listen, everyone should have been quiet.

    The church may have 'bigger failings' to deal with, but you, Lunch, surely would agree that ALL the failings should be dealt with, no matter how small.

    (for the record, this is not a 'bitch' about church and should not turn into one either. I made my comment on the blue card as well :))

    By Blogger Jim, at 5:09 PM  

  • No, I'm not excusing certain failings on the basis of their size -- but I am saying that while it was thoughtless, I don't think it was outrageous or shocking or anything other than just plain dumb.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:21 PM  

  • I really didn't dig it much either. People all around me were talking and trying to talk to me. Was trying to brush their questions off and stuff but yea i thought it generally wasn't cool at all. I think it was pretty shocking though. Even after Robin said the thing about animals and children and 645 people were still talking. Not cool.

    By Blogger Camel, at 6:21 PM  

  • I'm in for all of the above...

    It was hard with Wal inviting us to chat... Oh well. There is a time...

    On another point about disrespect... what time did we all get to church last night? Early? 6:45pm?(no personal digs here) I think that is a bigger and deeper issue.

    Suds

    By Blogger Andrew Southerton, at 6:27 PM  

  • heck yeah
    it was super weird feeling the odd one out for not chatting in a sermon...
    particularly cause I was sitting with a friend who has only recently started coming back to church and I think she must have thought I was being v. anti-social by not continuing our chat from before church...
    although we've all been guilty at one time or another....it's a bit sad

    but on the other hand, I also agree with you on the random hillarity of our weekend away....super duper =)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:49 AM  

  • Don't get me started...
    Maybe it is the teacher in me, but I could not believe how people continued to talk even after Robin had got up to say something.
    Argh... I think steam may have started to come out my ears. I was beginning to worry those who I was sitting with. But that's just me.
    And yet there was complete silence for the Houseparty Announcement video...
    Anyways, enough said now.
    Em

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:20 PM  

  • Yeh but that video rocked. It demanded attention!

    And I stand by my original point -- had Wal not said "turn around and say hi" none of this would have happened. I believe we can give folks the benefit of the doubt on this one. I reckon it was a one off.

    Turning up late to 645, however. Not prioritising bible study and houseparty. These sorts of things. These are the much bigger issues in my opinion.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:53 PM  

  • Whats the point of turning up on time, and prioritising something if you are just going to talk through it anyway.

    As I said, this is not just about during that song. Its about all time time. Between songs we sing, during announcements.

    Dont get me wrong. Be there. And be there on time. But please. Catch up with people before or after, not during.

    By Blogger Jim, at 1:05 PM  

  • Well I only heard talk during the song. These are the benefits of sitting in the front rows.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:46 PM  

  • I'm not too nice.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:21 PM  

  • Lachlan, don't miss hear me.
    The video was truely fantastic.
    You know I thought it was funny.
    Of course the thought of Monkey, Pigsy and Sandy and Tripekata (boy who looks like girl)still brings tears of hilarity to my eyes.
    Can't wait for the next installment...
    Em

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:29 PM  

  • Let me reiterate -- or maybe clarify -- my point:

    This epsiode, so far as I can tell, was a one off. Let's remember that much, so as not to get too carried away.

    But as for the things that aren't one offs: turning up late to 645, skipping bible study for no good reason, failing to make houseparty a number 1 priority, ignoring new people, failing to serve others or be generous with our money -- I could go on ...

    Why don't we get as upset about these things (which happen all the time) as we have about a one-off episode of thoughtlessness?

    Because these things worry me much more and will most probably happen again next week, where as I don't think the whole talking thing will.

    Just a thought.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:04 PM  

  • Mmm … Lots of interesting reflections.

    A fair bit of what happened during the Byrd’s song was my fault, and I’ve apologised to Robin. That being said, there will always be things that we don’t get right. Sometimes we’ll blow it. Sometimes you’ll blow it.

    Either way, though, we just need to keep serving each other in love, for Jesus said that’s how people will know that we’re his disciples. Being at church on time is a great way to do it. Not talking through church when we should be listening is a good way to do it (especially as there’s another song this week!) Having a godly discussion via this blog is a good way to do it. And there’s lots of other things too.

    Remember, we’re works in progress, not finished products. Let’s get to it …

    Wal

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:12 PM  

  • They said it couldn't happen -- but Wal has arrived!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:17 PM  

  • Thanks for chipping in Wal with your thoughts. And agree, lets get to it.

    But Lunch, people priotise things differently. Some people may prioritise evangelisim to non-christian friends more then others. And (serious question) is the soccer team forfeiting the weekend of houseparty? Its awesome if you are!

    Jim

    By Blogger Jim, at 4:32 PM  

  • We did last year and we will this year. At least my team will be.

    But my point remains. Storm in a teacup if you ask me, compared with the other stuff we hardly ever bat an eyelid over.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:39 PM  

  • Good to hear. But lets face it. If i rock up at 6:30 but talk through the whole service, its pretty pointless.

    As much as you say, its a one off, I hold to the fact that every week between songs, everyone treats it as a time to make a comment to the person next to the, rather then focus on worshipping through song.

    Jim

    By Blogger Jim, at 4:44 PM  

  • I can see no problem in a person saying something to another person in between two songs. I don't think that was ever the real issue being discussed here.

    For all we know they might be saying "man, I love that song" or "the last line in that song really hits home with me". Who are we to judge?

    But that's not what Sunday's 'fiasco' was about. It was bizarre, random, freakish - and I'm sure a one-off. Or at least I hope.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:51 PM  

  • Agree. Lets hope so.

    By Blogger Jim, at 4:54 PM  

  • P.S. My advice: sit up the front with the pious folk. If there are people gossiping and crapping on when they shouldn't be, I don't hear them.

    Except for Marson.

    And also, I think we've done everything but lay blame here. And as MP says, maybe sometimes "we're too nice" to rebuke. In love, of course.

    Not me. I blame the Senior Highers.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:55 PM  

  • Hey -- It might not be helpful for me as ex-pastor to chime in. Wal has already done that. But may I?

    I remember having things like this happen while I was there. It can get you down -- especially when you go home at night after church. It really can get you down. But Wal is right - strength through weakness.

    All of us need to realise how significant we are in the life of the church. Turning up, turning up on time, inviting our friends, where we sit, being at houseparty, singing with a clear heart, actively listening, stopping the whinging, rebuking the cyncism, contributing in Bible Study.

    My thing is this: we have lost our way when EACH member does not realise that their part is scarily significant. Each one of us can be the balm or the poison. The builder or the destroyer. The cynic or the saint. Each one. Each one. Each one.

    Did I say 'each one'?

    PS Those who sit near learn more!

    And This verse is for Robin.

    Tongue totally in my cheek! :)

    By Blogger Justin, at 10:49 AM  

  • I never thought these words would pass my lips, but I'm with Lunch on this one, in pretty much every respect.

    That's all.

    By Blogger Mr Tiedt, at 6:27 PM  

  • Why does everyone find it so humiliating to agree with me?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:05 PM  

  • Did anyone like my links re sitting up the front and my note to Robin?

    By Blogger Justin, at 2:46 PM  

  • Had to write one more to make this 30 comments. Is that a record?

    Good one Jimmy.

    PS Lunch - I've never disagreed with you.

    By Blogger Justin, at 2:47 PM  

  • Well pondered team. Well pondered indeed.

    J-man - That verse was great, although everyone at bible study was trying to sit on my lap!

    Lets be contributers, not consumers.

    Jim

    By Blogger Jim, at 2:54 PM  

  • mmm, a true record

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:39 PM  

  • long time reader, first time poster.
    sorry for eavesdropping
    but i'm missing the ccsi crew a heap.
    the fact you are even chatting about this - is a pretty good thing I reckon.

    hey i have a blog - i think. and a new child soon.
    [feel free to view it - the blog or the child]

    By Blogger Luke, at 7:31 PM  

  • why cant we talk between segments? if we've thought of something we want to say to ther person next to us, why not let it out between the important things through which we shouldn't talk?

    (ps: singlets at church are banned from now on. disrepectful. THIS MEANS YOU.)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:40 PM  

  • UPDATE 02/04/06:

    After last night's more appropriate response to Robin's song, I believe we can now close the book on this one :-)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:17 PM  

  • Or even tonight's ...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:18 PM  

  • It's too late for that, my singlet is good and burnt.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:52 PM  

  • Everyone take a chill pill. This is stupid. As if you cant talk between songs. What, are we in chapel at Barker? Deadset. Sitting in silence and listening to a song is also never going to happen. Ive never noticed people talking during an actual sermon, and and best it would be a small percentage, like in any crowd, anywhere in the world, so relax.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:23 AM  

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