cell phones in church

I always have my cell phone with me but I do NOT take it out during church or anything!! During Youth group I do use it for my Bible if I'm at an event and didn't bring my Bible. But I do not agree with people useing there phone's like texting or anything else during church, unless they have a reason like they are a doctor and get called into work or something but never for anything else!

I think all cell phones should be on off or vibrate. Honestly, it can wait until after church. At least, that's how I see it.

Unless you are checking the time, expecting an important message, or the service is so amazing you feel compelled to text some1 about it, I think it is very disrespectful.

In my church lots of people look at their phones and so do I!
I have 3 versions of the bible on my phone which i can compare side by side and use it for taking notes also.
Some people bring tablets/ I pads etc. In fact one of the pastors has started using an I pad for his sermon notes and no one minds.

There are also a lot of medical staff in my church as it is within a few miles of two main hospitals. So they often have phones on vibrate if on call.

Technology in the church can av its good points.

You never know maybe that person fiddling with their phone is paying more attention to the service than you might think.

i appreciate all the feedback , and yes i am learning a lot about how people use their phones in church, and i can see the advantage to using them for reading the Bible, or notes things like that

Miri I think what your saying is very true I mean there arre good uses for it! But I have also seen people who are playing games and texting on there phone during the service and you ask them what it was about they can't tell you I think you just have to be really carefull and also I think people should still bring Bible's like what if your phone stopped working or shut down or something then what would you do?

I bring My cell fone to church, But I put it on silent or off while im in church then back on again after the service finished. Theres nothing wrong bring a cell fone, just turn it off or put it on silent while in the church. The texts wil stil come to you as soon as you turn fone back on. so you wont miss out.

I agree. Also something to mention..
If you're phone is more important than worshipping God in church then what does that say about the importance of God in your life?

Technology for some has become an idol in their lives.

You see this is one of the major problems today. As technology is growing fast, it's also taking over people's lives and technology is becoming a problem between people and God. Fair enough technology is getting more amazing each and every day. But we us Christians need to determine whether God is more important or Technology. IF we are wise enough we could use the technology to spread the Gospel and spread the word. but we also need to put technology aside at the right time, for the purpose of putting God first in worship. Just think what would Jesus do? lol God bless

I think people have probably been having discussions like this from the year dot - with each new fangled thing which has been invented.

Whether it was moving away from singing only,to singing with music, or changing the musical instruments etc. Or even swapping hard pews with softer seats! I should image people a few hundred years ago would be turning in their graves if they could see the way we do things now.

Things do move on down the years. The great thing is that God can speak to us where we are at and by whatever means we have to hand whether that is a chalk board or a mobile phone right?

Incidentally I do agree that unless it is important, then it is disrespectful to be texting and conducting conversations during church services.

I decided to bring this back because i really think it's one of my favorite questions . so looking forward to more responses .

plus i can't sleep and started looking up old threads

It depends really. At the church I am a part of, we have two services. My mother is always at one and my siblings are usually at the other. We don't use our phones but only in case of emergency and sometimes people from work have to call my dad and siblings especially if they are on call-in status for work. Unless you are using a Bible app or are a parent with kids separated from you, there is no need for a phone really.

Lol there are people in my church who leave their ring on and let is blast away in the middle of a service, let alone texting. Rude much??? I always keep my phone on vibrate, and if someone is calling, i'll either leave the sanctuary and answer it or let it go. That's just as bad as having a phone ring in a movie theater.

Yeah I find it very annoying.

I also find it annoying when someone's baby is crying very loud during the service too.
I know they can't help it, but it's still a peeve of mine.

It's not like when I'm texting at church I'm ever going to admit to being a ... uhhh... never mind.

Sometimes in our church services there is a "Q & A" session at the end for people to text specific questions they may have about the message/topic they just heard. They are read by one of the pastors or other church leader, and the pastor who delivered the message responds.