Why do some people sleep in church?

[Ddavid from NC]

Have you ever notices that some people are completely unengaged in the church service? Engage them in conversation before and after church and you will find them knowledgeable and active in the work or ministry of the church. They give and support but look totally uninvolved in the order of worship. As someone who has attended churches that are liturgical to charismatic there is an element of this in every church regardless. I have been to gatherings where the speaker was of great notoriety and the message dynamic and sitting next to someone bored, but who was praising the Lord 10 minutes ago when the band was on stage. Yet, I have been to churches where I was bored and everyone next to me seemed engaged.

[findmysheep]

Have you ever notices that some people are completely unengaged in the church service? Engage them in conversation before and after church and you will find them knowledgeable and active in the work or ministry of the church. They give and support but look totally uninvolved in the order of worship. As someone who has attended churches that are liturgical to charismatic there is an element of this in every church regardless. I have been to gatherings where the speaker was of great notoriety and the message dynamic and sitting next to someone bored, but who was praising the Lord 10 minutes ago when the band was on stage. Yet, I have been to churches where I was bored and everyone next to me seemed engaged.

Hi David, I know exactly what you mean when you say "but look totally uninvolved in the order of worship". But isn't that the problem 'order of worship'? If these same people were at a meeting at work and were not 'involved' then why would they be there in the first place? The problem with most churches is that they actually expect passivity from the 'audience'. If you were to ask a question or make a comment (assuming the meeting were small enough for you to be heard) you would be ignored or asked to be quiet. We, the church, need to be asking ourselves some serious questions about participation and 'ministry' etc.

[other one]

When you get to be 60 years old it usually depends on how many times you've heard the sermon....

[tah]

I don't know...it is amazing how many times the Lord has spoken to my heart about a Word I have heard a gazillion times...

And I see it as a couple of reasons and one is pretty simple..tired and need rest..

another is lack of interest ..

another is a work of the enemy to keep you from hearing the word..

Perhaps the minister has a droning voice that puts people to sleep..

hard telling what would be behind someone sleeping...

my 2 cents

[Guest LadyC]

two weeks ago, i found myself drifting in and out of the nods during the sermon. i was quite embarrassed... i sit near the front, so i KNOW pastor dean saw me nodding off. and that's something that has never happened to me before. but a dear friend of mine, who ironically is on the worship team and a fellow bible college student, will actually put her sunglasses on about ten minutes into the sermon. i guess she thinks nobody will notice her snoozing if she's wearing shades LOL.

for others, it happens frequently. it doesn't necessarily mean they're bored or uninterested. some people get sleepy after eating, and may have eaten breakfast before church... so when they get still, they drift off.

some people get sleepy when the temperature is too warm, or too cold...

for some people, like was already mentioned, it could be a soothing or droning voice that puts them out.

but the common element for all who drift off is this... they get still, they get quiet, they get relaxed.

don't underestimate the power of "subliminal preaching", so to speak. God's word can slip right into those ears no matter how tightly shut the eyes are.

[other one]

LadyC it's really bad when you drift off and rip of a little snore and your wife crams the elbow into your ribs and you jump from being statled awake....... The red from one's face can cast a pinkish glow in the eyes of the preacher.

[Guest LadyC]

[Ddavid from NC]

The power of subliminal preaching...umm...a new ministry?

[Guest LadyC]

that was just for a lack of a better phrase... LOL, i used up all my mental energies listening to the sermon this morning! but i think you know what i meant, right? tell me you do..

[Ddavid from NC]

Could it be that people have not prepared to worship? If your expectations are low you are easily bored... A lack of rest the night before is a lack of preparation...etc