Exceedingly Mundane

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Aug
15
Posted by Stace

Question of the Day – 8/15/10

OK, so this morning in church, I noticed yet again that a lot of kids of all ages seem to be bringing their electronic devices into church. Apparently to keep them entertained, from what I can see. Cell phones, which I can *sort of* see, although I think they should be silenced and really shouldn’t be used. But I have also been seeing a lot of Nintendo DS’s and Playstation Portables (PSP’s). I guess the parents think it’s better to keep them quiet and entertained, or something. But, when I was their age, I was supposed to sit there and listen, or at least pretend to listen. Back in the dark ages, I was allowed, at most, to doodle on the program and fill in the letter O’s 😀

So, do you think it’s ok for them to be using all of these devices in church? Or am I just horribly old-fashioned?

Hope everyone is having a blessed day!

  1. Stacy (the other one) Said,

    I don’t like seeing those in church. I think that kids should be taught to listen – not everything is going to be high-tech and fast paced.

  2. Cameron Said,

    I don’t know, would you rather have them there and quiet, than not there and REALLY quiet? lol. Yeah, I use my texting all the time but i am not trying to hurt anyones feelings 🙂 It is “our” way of doodling

  3. cam Said,

    Seriously?! I cannot believe people are letting their kids have these in church! :-O That is just shocking to me. I guess you know what side of the fence I’m on, lol.

  4. Maria Said,

    No, I wouldn’t allow my children to bring such things to church. When we did go as a family, when the boys were young and pre-teen, I didn’t allow any toys or electronics. And they didn’t ask. Of course, they were “seriously bored” as they would have said, but they survived.

    I like that my church has a children’s ministry for all ages up to junior high during our services. Though some people bring their children to the service, they are quiet and respectful, without toys (that I can see).

    Kids need to learn there is a time when the focus is NOT on their needs only (or should I say their “wants”?).

    I also don’t think adults should be using their phones in church to text, but that’s my opinion. If you can’t give that time to God and focus on the message, I don’t think you’re going to get the most out of it. My mind wanders as it is without a phone in my hand. LOL

  5. Laura Said,

    Isn’t that why God invented Sunday School? 😉 Seriously though, I do think that kids who are too young to be able to behave themselves quietly throughout a service, probably shouldn’t be IN there in the first place. Sounds like the kids you’re describing are old enough to have some self-discipline, though, and I totally agree with Maria’s comment!

  6. Laura Said,

    By the way, I was going to comment that I used to color on the bulletin, and then I re-read your post and saw that you’d mentioned it too! I remember getting pens out of my mom’s purse for it! Heee.

  7. Lauren@BaseballsandBows Said,

    I guess we are very old-fashioned. I haven’t seen kids playing electronic games in worship, and mine would not be allowed to do so. My five-year-old brings paper and markers, and my eight-year-old son brings a notebook in case he wants to take notes. We do not have a separate service for children, so we have tried to teach them to be respectful, quiet, and to participate at an age-appropriate level since birth. No, they haven’t always been perfect, but I tell them that if all the Israelites, children included, could stand in the mountains and listen to Joshua read the entire law (Joshua 8:30-35), they can sit on a cushioned pew and be quiet for an hour. 🙂

  8. Kimmy Said,

    We have Sunday School for the kids through junior high during the sermon time, but if we didn’t…I absolutely don’t think electronic devices should be present during the service. They should learn to sit still and be respectful. We have some kids that bring their DS to church, but they are there early before church starts because their parents are involved in various activities, so they bring that to occupy them before service which is perfectly fine in my opinion.

  9. Gail Said,

    My initial reaction is that I wouldn’t have let mine do it I don’t think! I did bring colors/pens to let them draw on paper though. I’m also not a mom to young kids now so thought maybe that would be it but I see Lauren said she doesn’t let hers do it, she’s a girl after my own heart!
    I don’t really think adults should have cell phones but I’m probably pushing my luck there! I have taken mine before to keep on silent in my purse but have not used it to update my facebook status from church even though I’ve seen other people do that! That and texting just doesn’t seem right to me during church. It sorta seems like texting now is what writing/passing notes in church was for us way back when!
    You’ve been busy with blogging again I see.

  10. Kurt Said,

    I have this absolutely superb bible application on my phone. I think it’s hooked into biblegateway.com so I have something like 40 versions of the bible (more if you include non-english versions) at my fingertips and I routinely read along with the scripture readings looking down at my phone. I’m not sure if that bothers other people, but I’m not in church ‘for other people’ so I’m ok with that. I do turn my phone to silent though because it’s uber embarrassing to get a phone or text message in church.

    I haven’t seen kids with game systems in our church, but maybe I’m just not looking hard enough. I’m wiling to give kids 5 and under a pass on paying attention, but after that, it’s time to join in the celebration.

    Oh: one last thought: I’ve checked every version of my bible and no one said church has to be boring. 🙂

  11. Shari Said,

    I’ll be horribly old-fashioned with you, Stacy! And with me, it was circling all the “e”s in the program. 😉

  12. mamichelle Said,

    I must be old fashioned too. I think it’s horrible. How will they ever learn to listen in church?! I started my kids at a young age and I never let them bring anything.

  13. Karen Said,

    So disappointing that parents would think this is okay! Our pastor reminds everyone to turn off their cell phones before a service begins. I can’t imagine him having to say “and your games and ipods, too!” But it may come to that.

    When my kids were little, they brought a religious book or I let them draw on a small pad I carried in my purse.

  14. Meredith Said,

    Personally, I think it’s horrible too. BUT…in some sense the kids are taking cues from their parents. How many people do you know with a SmartPhone who carry “instant entertainment” with them everywhere they go?

    I know that parents know when to turn things off (like during church), but I think we’re setting a bad example for kids by having instant access to everything. And I include myself in that bad example setting. 🙂

  15. Dianne Said,

    Yeah, I’m with you. Prefer kids to stick to paper and pencil during church. Our church has the kids stay in the service until the announcements, after worship. I love watching the kids sing and worship with the adults, and the little ones skoot around the floor. We worship in a gym, and I sit up in the bleachers, so I get a good view!

  16. Deanna Said,

    My first thought is “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Makes me sad to think that these kids are being allowed to miss their Sunday training.

  17. Dawn Said,

    Oh does that drive me nuts. The only things we were allowed to bring to church were Bible story books. And only for during the sermon (which was over our heads most weeks). Other than that, we were expected to stand & sit appropriately; sing the hymns; fold our hands, bow our heads & close our eyes for prayers; and otherwise follow along. I won’t even bring my phone into church. It stays in the car. People can manage without me for an hour. (Though I do understand some cases when there may be an emergency or a doctor on call or what have you, but DEFINITELY set to silent.)

  18. Desert Songbird Said,

    Nope, not at all. My kids are NOT allowed to bring electronics to church. I forbid it.

    End of story. They don’t argue with me. 😉

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