7 Simple Ways to Show Respect in Church

Whenever there’s talk of church etiquette, you have people coming out of the woodwork, saying there is no etiquette, and you just need to show up.

I disagree. Church is the house of God, so it needs to be treated with caution and respect.

Surrounded by familiar faces, believers often relax and spend the time catching up or staring at their phones rather than being present for the Word.

Attendance without respect is pointless. So, here are 7 tips for you!

1. Leave Your Phone, Be Present in the Moment

I understand being glued to your phone; we all do. It provides entertainment, connection, information, and many people even use it for work.

I find myself unconsciously reaching for my phone a bunch of times throughout the day. 

But when it matters, it needs to be put away. You wouldn’t go through your phone in the middle of an important meeting.

So, why can’t you take a break from scrolling while you’re meeting with God?

You already know it’s disrespectful to everyone present. When you feel like you can’t keep your hands off the phone, just leave it in the car.

You’ll be able to devote your attention to the sermon instead of having to resist the urge to check for notifications every few minutes. 

2. Church Isn’t a Social Gathering

Church is a community, sure. It’s a place where people frequently meet new friends and significant others.

But there is a time for everything.

Show respect to your preacher and your church by focusing on the sermon while it lasts. Besides, the longest it can go on is an hour and a half.

I know that small chit-chat and a time-sensitive joke don’t feel like a big deal, but they’re a clear sign you didn’t attend with intention.

There’s plenty of time to catch up with friends after the service is over, and not to mention, you can always hang out in private.

Church service isn’t background noise for when you have nothing better to do on a Sunday. It’s a sacred time, meant to help you connect with God.

Save the topics you have in your head for later. Who knows, after the sermon is done, you might have even more to say!

3. Show Up on Time or Early

Did you know that some teachers don’t allow students into the classroom if they fail to show up on time?

Your preacher has the authority to do the same, but many of them are too nice to say anything. So, they endure disrespect.

Imagine if you were in the middle of saying something important, something you’ve been preparing for days, and you get interrupted minutes into it?

The person who’s late then goes on to make a bunch of noise, shuffling around, looking for their seat… It’s all so disruptive.

If you’re going to attend service, show respect by arriving on time. 

Is hearing God’s Word not worth getting up ten minutes earlier?

Getting there on time or even a few minutes early allows you to show up in your best light. You get to meet new people and even catch up.

You don’t rush in all flustered and lost. 

Life happens sometimes, of course. It’s not always in your control, but don’t make a habit of being late. 

4. Come Prepared

Some people prefer sitting and listening to the preacher, and that’s absolutely valid. I’m one of them.

However, if you prefer taking notes or underlining certain parts of the text, make sure you come prepared. 

And in case you forgot a pen, make sure to borrow one before the service begins.

Shuffling around, asking to borrow stuff in the middle of service, is another disruptive behavior you can see in church.

You don’t mean to be disrespectful, but that’s how it turns out. It also shows you showed up without intention and focus.

God doesn’t need your name on an attendance list. He needs your genuine presence. 

5. Bring Your Bible

I’m sure most people don’t mind sharing their Bible with the person sitting next to them, but when I wish to follow along, I like to have my own.

It simply seems more practical and respectful.

So, before leaving home, make sure you have your own copy with you. Many people also rely on Bible apps, so you can see if this words for you.

Again, if you’re someone who prefers listening to the Word, it doesn’t matter.

But if you wish to follow along, make sure to get everything ready before the actual service starts. 

一点 准备 goes a long way to show how much you care to be present. 

6. Save Your Thoughts and Comments for the End

Having questions and thoughts about the service you’ve heard is wonderful. It means you’ve been actively listening to the preacher.

God loves your presence, so whether you agree or disagree with the preacher, it’s great that you’re taking part in the conversation!

It’s only disrespectful when you feel entitled to interrupt the preacher in the middle of the service to have them explain themselves.

Not only are you breaking their concentration, but also everyone else’s.

Also, refrain from whispering and commenting with the people around you. Instead, you can quickly write down what exactly confused you and bring it up later.

I’m sure any preacher would be happy to answer your questions. 

7. Respect the Sermon by Staying Until the End

I’m sure we’ve all seen people who quietly get up and leave while the preacher is mid-sentence.

If you tend to do this, don’t think that people don’t notice. Unless there’s an emergency that had you leave earlier, that is really disrespectful.

You’re distracting the people around you, and this can even be taken as a sign of weak faith. Is the Word of God not worth your forty minutes?

If you know ahead of time that you won’t be able to stay for the whole service, simply show up on a different Sunday.

And if you tend to leave church early often, ask yourself what you’re missing. It’s possible that the service isn’t providing what you’re looking for.