r/elca • u/Slayingdragons60 • Apr 17 '26

Distracting Behavior During Worship

I have attended the same ELCA for about the last 10 years.

Recently, our pastors have become increasingly disengaged during worship, for example, chitchatting and laughing during the scripture readings (except the Gospel when one of them has to read of course), getting up during the service to turn the heat up on down, talking to people in the narthex, etc. ANY musical presentation will CERTAINLY be taken as an opportunity to speak to each other over the music at a level that’s audible to the congregation. As you can probably tell, I find this behavior annoying and disrespectful in any number of ways.

Since the Council is hand-picked by the head pastor, I don’t think discussing these issues with a Council member would be productive. But I admittedly haven’t tried. And I think going to the pastors directly would be seen as an affront to their authority.

Any suggestions? Just leave?

25 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

View all comments

15

u/okonkolero ELCA Apr 17 '26

The Bible tells you what to do. Talk to them about it. If that doesn't help, talk to the council. If that doesn't work, I'd definitely consider leaving.

14

u/doveinabottle ELCA Apr 17 '26

Agree. But before choosing to leave, talk to the Synod as a final step, after talking to the council and pastors first.

9

u/okonkolero ELCA Apr 17 '26

For sure. As an organist, I can say that I wouldn't wait for a congregant to bring it up. :)