Bill Coley said:

I get that some distractions cross the line (e,g, audio sources played sans hearing devices), but where is the line? What about the responsibility the "distracted" people to support the worship needs of those who allegedly "distract" them?

"Where is the line?"    I am glad you believe there is a line. Some would argue they have a right to eat French fries in worship service. Some parents may tune their iPad to Netflix for their children who are bored with the sermon. A cowboy may decide to use chewing tobacco. (I am in Oklahoma)

When I ride my power wheelchair to church those pesky pews that are fixed to the floor keep me from reaching a hymn book. I have to rely on the thoughtfulness of others to hand me a hymn book. Some people dance in their worship service. (King David danced before the Lord, albeit not in the temple.) Undoubtedly many would text message or even talk on their cell phones if they were not requested to abstain from it.

The "line" we should not cross is the conduct which unnecessarily disrupts the worship experience of the community. If I visit LifeChurch I am not compelled to take my iPad but I should expect others will have theirs. There will also be some with Starbucks cups. This conduct is to be expected in that environment. But if I visit a non-instrumental church I should not whip out my harmonica and play along in song service. 

I find most churches are very accommodating in welcoming people. Some go out of their way to entertain them. There is a line and when we start a question with "What's wrong with..." we probably already know the answer.

Super Tramp said:

Bill Coley said:

I get that some distractions cross the line (e,g, audio sources played sans hearing devices), but where is the line? What about the responsibility the "distracted" people to support the worship needs of those who allegedly "distract" them?

"Where is the line?"    I am glad you believe there is a line. Some would argue they have a right to eat French fries in worship service. Some parents may tune their iPad to Netflix for their children who are bored with the sermon. A cowboy may decide to use chewing tobacco. (I am in Oklahoma)

The line is where one ceases to participate in the communal activity.  The chewing tobacco may be acceptable if he can manage to not spit.  [;)]

Super Tramp said:

"Where is the line?"    I am glad you believe there is a line. Some would argue they have a right to eat French fries in worship service.   

French fries are almost OK.  Its is the gum that is over the line! [Am on the cleaning crew - gum takes forever to get out the the carpets!]

Paul Golder said:

Ha, ha !  [:D]  I know that's a photoshop (at least it had better be).

George Somsel said:

Ha, ha !    I know that's a photoshop (at least it had better be).

That is the one they are REQUIRED to eat French fries during service. [am glad I am not on the cleaning crew of that one]

Sleiman said:

Never been to such a service and this requires a paradigm shift for me to comprehend.

There are all types of people in the world. We sometimes think our way is the only acceptable way. It is like a preacher visiting a church in a small African village. The women folk showed up for church service topless. The preacher had shirts handed out to them before the next meeting, requesting they wear them. When they all showed up for the service they had dutifully wrapped their heads in the shirts.

I choose to attend a church where people dress to honour God. They respect their neighbours by participating in the service at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner. Nothing is done just because it can be done. Technology is our slave, not our master. Our "wow factor" is hearing the Word of the living God not seeing sparkly lights.

Others may worship God in blue jeans, with a coffee cup in one hand and the other raised in praise. I only request we respect the spiritual needs of the others around us in church. 

Denise said:

 

Note that the Eucharist could be observed in the absence of the bishop. An agape requires the bishop (for obvious reasons). This is why for centuries, Starbucks coffee was not allowed.)

Backwards

Paul Golder said:

I wonder if it would be acceptable for a barista to use a tablet while mixing coffee in church? Specifically for recipe reference.

Why not put a Mr Boston on his tablet and let him mix drinks as well if the church (?) is gong to branch out into other areas.

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Boston-Official-Bartenders-Party/dp/0446676888

[:(]

Paul Golder said:

George Somsel said:

Why not put a Mr Boston on his tablet and let him mix drinks as well if the church (?) is gong to branch out into other areas.

Maybe in a Reformed, or Anglican church, but here in the Bible belt where Evangelicalism is synonymous with temperance, I can't see it happening.

I was raised in the Mid-West so I am fully aware of the stance of churches in the region.  I can assure you that I said that with tongue firmly planted in my cheek.  I think the church should stick to being the Church.

Paul Golder said:

George Somsel said:

I can assure you that I said that with tongue firmly planted in my cheek.  

As was I.

George Somsel said:

I think the church should stick to being the Church.

Agreed. A house of prayer, not a den of...

Just out of curiosity, I'll ask a question open to response from anyone with first-hand knowledge.  Does the Catholic Church in South America attempt to cater to the "Good-time Charlies" of the region or do they maintain traditional standards?  It would seem that the Pope is quite popular there, and I suspect he isn't trying to entertain them.

Super Tramp said:

George Somsel said:

I'll ask a question open to response from anyone with first-hand knowledge. 

I have first-hand knowledge of this little item; In Japan some of the statues of the saints (and Madonna) are created with oriental features and garb. I found it interesting and wonder why. I also knew a co-worker in the USA whose African Heritage Bible depicted a black Jesus with an afro. I imagine localization of religious trappings is a common practise.

That doesn't really answer my question.  I was wondering whether the church has entered the entertainment field in South America and whether such has contributed to the popularity of the Pope there or whether the church maintains its traditional function.

And another:

Taking the iPad to church

Super Tramp said:

In Japan some of the statues of the saints (and Madonna) are created with oriental features and garb. I found it interesting and wonder why.

That's always been a cultural thing. Growing up in Southern California in the 60's, I had no idea that the Mother of Jesus was anything other than Hispanic.

David Taylor Jr said:

Logos is too advanced for most users.  They want a simple Bible with different translations and that is what YouVersion gives them.  The advanced Bible Study User (scholarship) use the Logos app or similar apps, or people who want to go deeper than just reading.

I would agree in a way…. This is why I wish Logos made a super simple base collection that was $50, If they had a starter collection, yes for power users would complain about lack of features but a simple reader that allows people to get their foot in the door would be a bonus… Now I know that Logos allows anyone to download the program free of charge but other than on mobile, I am not aware of free resources Logos allows a user (yes there are numerous free resources a person can put through on to a new account but to have all of them in a ready made low cost account would be ideal).

-Dan

Super Tramp said:

I choose to attend a church where people dress to honour God. They respect their neighbours by participating in the service at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner.

In order to define "the line" we need boundaries for standards such as dress that "honours" God (James 2.1-4) and worship participation that is "appropriate."

Accepting the line as determined by community standards will often produce good results, unless those community standards are sinful (the examples in my earlier post in this thread). And then the question becomes, where is THAT line!

If we take seriously the Apostle Paul's passion to be all things to all people in order to win some for Christ (1 Corinthians 9.19-23), it seems to me we have far better things to occupy our time than line drawing.