Why do some people sleep in church?

[nebula]

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

[Guest LadyC]

who said it was due to a lack of rest? for most people, it probably has nothing to do with how many hours of shut-eye they got the previous night.

and for those that don't get enough sleep, maybe they didn't have a choice in the matter, and yet still were committed enough to God to get up out of bed and attend church anyway, sacrificing their own fleshly desire to stay snuggled under the covers.

the reasons why people drift off during church can vary greatly from one person to the next. i think we should be busy keeping our own relationship with God straight and let Him worry about the next person's, amen? after all, come judgement day, they may be kneeling RIGHT NEXT TO US before the throne of God, and i guarantee, they'll be wide awake enough then to hear OUR every works come under scrutiny.

[nebula]

OK, to be serious this time . . .

A certain male member in my family falls asleep every time he's sitting down - at the computer, reading the mail, watching a movie, . . . . church is the same. (Some of us keep telling him he needs to see the doctor about his inability to get a good night's sleep, but some people's pride does get in the way you know. . . .)

A few years ago, my rheumatoid arthritis flared up really bad, and my energy was severely drained. I was never able to feel awake. If I spent any amount of time in activity, my body would try to shut down (fall asleep). I couldn't stay awake in church if I was forced to sit down. It's better now that I'm medication, but even still, I don't do well with sitting down for a long period of time without engaging in some activity (i.e. taking notes as in a classroom or typing on the computer). It's a completely physiological problem and nothing to do with my interest level.

So, my point is that people falling asleep in church may not have anything to do with the lack of spirituality but a lack of sleep (sitting in a chair doing nothing but listening puts you in the "rest/digestive" state, thus one is more prone to get sleepy) or sleeping disorder problem or some other problem with their body.

[Ddavid from NC]

Johnny Hunt pastor of Woodstock Baptist, tells of being disturbed by a lady apparently nodding off every Sunday 5 minutes into the sermon. Every week at the door she would tell him what a wonderful sermon. It finally got the best of him one Sunday. So at the door, she told him as she did every Sunday what a beautiful sermon. Pastor Hunt said how do you know you were sleeping. The little old lady said oh no Pastor Johnny, I made a vow to pray for you in intersession while you preach. My eyes were closed because I was praying through every point for its effectiveness.

[Guest]

< snip >

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.

Hmm.........."subliminal preaching." Is that like Bible Study by osmosis? (You know, head down on the Bible on the table, fast asleep!)

[patricia1]

I know of a time when one man fell asleep while waiting for church to begin. He had slept through the whole sermon as well as worship. This was highly unusual. I woke him up at the end. He look horribly suprised as well as concerned. He had turned off his hearing aids prior to church. He was so embarrassed. He sat in the front pew, I was in the middle . The poor pastor preached through being aware that this guy was snoring away. From that day on I always checked with him before sitting!!! heheheh Needless to say I called my pastor to let him know. He then asked me what the others excuses were and we laughed together. patricia1

[MeCajunboy]

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.

Those are probably the same Christians who "sleep" through life and call themselves "Christians!"

[MeCajunboy]

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

I have to disagree, I'm not far behind you and I'm just getting started with the fire under me for God! Perhaps a different church with louder music and sermon????lololo

[nebula]

Welcome to Bedsprings Baptist Church, home to the Pillow Choir and shepherded by Pastor Sheets.

[Guest Biblicist]

It's simple...

Personal relationship vs. Religion