What do you do when you are preaching your heart out and the teen agers are talking and passing notes and one actually turns around in the pew to talk to the girls behind her?????
What do you do when you are preaching your heart out and the teen agers are talking and passing notes and one actually turns around in the pew to talk to the girls behind her?????
I once saw Bob Howard walk off of the platform with notes in hand still preaching. He walked right over to the most noticeable teen, handed him his notes and asked him to finish the message for him. Maybe a bit extreme, he was at campmeeting where he could get away with that, could be a bit much in a church setting.
Another preacher I have listened to would from time to time blurt out the words "Am I boring you!" That might cut through without too much commotion or pushback from parents.
And I can just picture Manny Chaviier stopping and gently explaining that he was being distracted by the teens in the back, then saying "still love me" before he continued.
Then again Manny's ushers would nip something like that in the bud before it became a problem.
-Jim
To know and to serve God, of course, is why we're here, a clear truth, that, like the nose on your face, is near at hand and easily discernible but can make you dizzy if you try to focus on it hard. But a little faith will see you through.
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Well, I always had Linda working with me. In Malden, the adolescents would start for the door, see Mrs. Scott, then turn around and go back to their seat. Twenty-five years later, they still talk about her - but not during the service. Maybe Debbie could help.
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Thanks, 1 LaughingHerb Newell - thanks for this funny post
Wonder where their phones are and why they aren't texting like normal kidsOriginally Posted by John Reilly
You can be right or you can be in relationshipPost Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 11 LaughingJohn Reilly - "thanks" for this post
John, I'm way too far away from your situation to say much. I hear from the youth they generally appreciate when I preach, because it's short. Not really sure if that matches my intentions...... But I hear they are also texting etc in our church. They're usually in the back so I rarely see it.
I'd try to involve them in the service as much as possible. Couple of weeks ago we had a youth service in which one of them actually preached! And did a pretty good job at it too.
"No scripture can mean that God is not love, or that his mercy is not over all his works" (John Wesley - Free Grace, 26)Post Thanks / Like - 2 Thanks, 0 Laughing
There is a lot of information here that I don't have, which I would need in order to know.
Are you the Youth Pastor?
Was this preaching on a Youth night, or a Sunday morning service?
- Ben
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death! And to those in the tombs, bestowing life!
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας! καὶ τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι, ζωὴν χαρισάμενος!Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 0 Laughing
In addition to what Hans said, you could ask some general questions from the pulpit to specific individuals including the teens, like: "So what do you think about that, Sophie?".... but don't expect an answer..... if they give you one that's a bonus.
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I remember sitting in Church in the early 60's and noticing the teenagers in the Church sitting in the back pews passing notes and giggling. This problem has been around for a long time.
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Also, I think that it is more important that they feel comfortable in church, than it is to hang off "a boring long winded" preacher's every word. And in saying that, I'm not suggesting for one moment, John, that you are. But I am suggesting that the onus lies with us as preachers to be creative enough to keep their attention.
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John is the highly esteemed Senior Pastor at the Keene NH Church. He is well known throughout our district, and has been recognized at the highest levels in our denomination for his creative use of visual metaphor at District Assembly.
-Jim
To know and to serve God, of course, is why we're here, a clear truth, that, like the nose on your face, is near at hand and easily discernible but can make you dizzy if you try to focus on it hard. But a little faith will see you through.
Garrison KeillorPost Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 2 Laughing
And is usually addressed as "Your Holiness".
"No scripture can mean that God is not love, or that his mercy is not over all his works" (John Wesley - Free Grace, 26)Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 8 Laughing
In this era of multitasking, I wonder if the youth are not absorbing more of the message than those of my generation that are quietly staring right at the speaker. Obviously that does not speak to the issue of commom courtesy and the speaker's need for a connection to the audience.
The world is still our parish.Post Thanks / Like - 4 Thanks, 0 Laughing
Evangelist Jeremiah Bolich spends a lot of time preaching at youth events and has developed some habits that carry over even to regular revival services. He'll insert the words "Listen to me!" or "Are you listening?" into the middle of what he's saying. He might even stop preaching entirely until his silence catches everyone's attention and stills the competition. I suspect that in a youth camp service he might turn the spotlight on a particularly offensive group with words like, "Are you ready to listen?" directed straight to the offenders and the waiting for a response, but that would be more rare for a service that is predominantly adults.
I'm real hesitant on ideas that diminish the value of the offenders. I like "will you help me out here" comments better than humiliating "you are acting like a jerk [and probably are one]" comments.
"Transformation comes more from pursuing profound questionsblog: www.marshalyn.blogspot.com
than seeking practical answers."
-- Peter Block in The Answer to How Is Yes
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The best way to deal with the situation might be after the service. perhaps asking the worst two or three offenders into your office and gently explaining why their behavior is not appropriate, why it is disrespectful to you as the pastor and to the rest of the congregation would be the best way. That way they can be corrected without public humiliation. If that doesn't fix the problem I would possibly go to the parents of the worst offenders and ask that they have their children sit with them. In our church the teens do not all gather together in one section, they just sit with their families and we don't have these issues.
On an entirely unrelated issue but one that was brought up, there is more and more research coming to light that indicates that the "era of multitasking" is a myth. Focusing on one things is still the most efficient and effective way to get things done and that doesn't change when you are under 25.
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Seems like I've a vague memory of someone doing similar to what you speak of, Marsha, tho' it's more like: "Can you hear me?"
Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.
~ Stella Adler ~
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It takes a great deal of maturity to accept that trying to eliminate all risk eliminates life.
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1. Take 'em out for a coke and ask them if they will help you learn to minister to teens better. Ask them if they'll meet with you each Sunday afternoon for the next couple of weeks. You buy the cokes and they tell you about your sermon and what might have helped teens listen better.
2. Involve them in the sermon. Give them a scripture to read during the sermon. Or see if they can be used on the praise team or helping run the sound.
3. Ask some savvy adults to help out by getting up in the service and sitting down right in the middle of them.
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Well I was one of those "talking teens". I know I drove some pastors and youth pastors crazy. I also know that I stayed in the church when many of my friends left because unconditional love was shown to me..... I was loved when I was unloveable by the people in my church.
Here is what worked for me. My parents moved me to a Christian school that had chapel every morning. I'm sure I started my usual distractions there. The youth pastor met with me and asked me to help him. He told me I was a leader and many of my peers were watching me. He explained that when I participated in worship the others would also. He gave me a journal and asked me to keep notes in chapel so that others would see this and start doing it also. I left feeling empowered.... I felt responsible for those around me. Worship became very important to me and taking notes during the sermon became a habit.
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One preacher I've heard, here, is having the teens tweet "capsule bites" of what he says on each point of his message, and the tweets go up onscreen as they happen.
Keeps them listening.
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I have the divine gift or ignoring people while I preach. If you do not wish to listen than I simply do not try to force you to listen. In my church if you are talking during the service, expect those next to you to tell you to stay quite. I am entrenched in the ministry of "give me solutions don't give me problems." I also "warn" the congregation from time to time that if you want attention during the sermon I will gladly make you a part of the illustration.
My Friends Call Me Stew!Post Thanks / Like - 2 Thanks, 0 Laughing
As the senior pastor, I think that Scott's suggestions are wise. Do you have a youth pastor? Maybe you can talk to him/her about the specific teenagers. If it is a Sunday morning service, it just sort of is what it is. Teenagers will tend to get bored with such a service unless it is designed specifically with them in mind. I don't think there is any way around this - that's why churches do other services throughout the week for teenagers.
So, I think it's admirable that you should wish that these teenagers pay attention and get something out of service, but I would suggest it starts with getting to know them, and loving them. I don't think there is much else you can do about such a thing.
- Ben
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death! And to those in the tombs, bestowing life!
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας! καὶ τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι, ζωὴν χαρισάμενος!Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 0 Laughing
I had a youth pastor that used to text the teens if they were to loud. Seemed to be pretty effective. I too would need a lot more information to decide what I would do but in general public humiliation would not be one of my options.
Fear not those who argue but those who dodge. -- Marie von Ebner-EschenbachPost Thanks / Like - 2 Thanks, 0 Laughing
So thanks for all the help and wonderful insights. Awesome stuff. My cue with the teens will be: "TEENS, this is good, Listen" as a reminder that I see them. Some of our teens are involved in worship team on keyboard, singing, some take turns running the video projector, and some take turns running the sound board with supervision. Some help with ushering and some help with our Dare to Care Prayer Basket. Others take turns running to the rest rooms and others take turns in shooting the "Charlie Sheen Torpedo of Truth!!!"
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Are they passing notes in the offering plate yet?
"Means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek."Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Laughing
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