Eating in Church?

[HisWord]

How do you feel about "eating in church"?

I recently moved and started going to a new church. During the service, some people eat doughtnuts and pastries and drink coffee. I think it is disrespectful and a distraction especially during worship. You should eat before or after church and come ready to church to worship and hear from God.

[TrustingmyLord]

Depends on what you mean. We have a fellowship meal once a month after church.

As far as during the actual church service, I see nothing wrong with gum, or giving a small piece of candy to a child, but I dont think that taking in my McDonalds breakfast and eating it during the service would be right. Its disrespectful, I'd think. We're there to praise God, not to eat. I have seen my pastors wife, who has two very young boys, rushing to church and having the boys finish their breakfast in the fellowship hall before Sunday school... dont see anything wrong there.

I visited a church once that was more like a mall, they sold tacos, souveneirs, etc. Thats not right..

So whats this all about? Literally eating during the service?

[mightywarrior77]

If you want to put a breath mint or something like that in your mouth. And give to a child I see nothing wrong with it! Of course there are others who do see that its wrong. Go with your heart and convictions..

[Impossible]

I dont see anything wrong with eating, as long as you still have the intention of getting something out of church. Same thing with dressing up, I dont think its necessary at all.

[Halel]

How do you feel about "eating in church"?Hmmm...

Maybe I should take a bag of popcorn and a large soda...
:P

[Joshua Howard]

It's rude to eat in the presence of others generally, and in church it is a common sign of disrespect or lack of primary attention. Something akin to setting around on the pews babbling to your friends while the speaker is in session. For the sake of social grace, I wouldn't do it.

Something like gum isn't the same really in my opinion... downright eating as in McDonald's or something would be a no no.

[HisWord]

I don't have a problem with gum or mints either...LOL :)

[christianmomof3]

Coffee I can see, but donuts is a bit much.
If it is a problem perhaps an elder can address the issue.
On the other hand, make sure that it is not a special case - for instance, we have a sister who is diabetic and has to eat to control her blood sugar. Usually she steps out to do that, but if she is really enjoying things and does not want to miss something, she may stay.
Or, it could be people who are visitors or someone who has had no breakfast - who knows.

[TrustingmyLord]

One exception I can see .... one time in our sunday school class someone brought a bunch of donuts, we all had one during the class. It wasnt a distraction and since there was enough for us all I see it as being ok.

[Dairyman]

In my local church, it's not a problem. I eat all the time. I even bring extra for those that are lucky enough to sit next to me.

It doesn't distract others and doesn't hinder my contributions to the services. I am still able to make my weekly donation when the collection plate comes around.

Just this last Sunday, I picked up 10 cheeseburgers and shakes from DairyQueen and mowed them down during the first hour of service. :D

[icbeckyc]

Now I don't know about it being disreceptful, but I do think it is bad manners. We use to have several that brought a coke or their coffee in and I don't think it should be done.

I don't see it as a distraction for me I just focus on the pastor. Unless they are smacking or slurping I don't know if I would really even notice it going on.

[TamaraLynne]

Take it from one who has gone hungry.............

I can only imagine what it was like back then........It would have been hard to sit there and watch others eat if it was hard to get food. I asked once about these verses

1co 11:18For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.1co 11:19For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.1co 11:20When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.1co 11:21For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 1co 11:22What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 1co 11:23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:1co 11:24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 1co 11:25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.1co 11:26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.1co 11:27Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 1co 11:28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.1co 11:29For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.1co 11:30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 1co 11:31For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 1co 11:32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.1co 11:33Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.1co 11:34And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.


And I was told by someone that it was about eating in the church................and maybe it was. Maybe it was used also as an example of being spiritually fed. About us spending time with Jesus abiding in us and we abiding in him and reading the word of God..........:sorry: ....did they......the people who came to church........did they have bibles to take home?:scratch: Well if they didn't then it would be about Jesus abiding in them and the HolySpirit showing them things.........right?:blush: :help:

Love
Tam

[CrazyforYeshua]

I don't think anybody should be eating food in the sanctuary.

[flyingsum0]

Depends on what your eating....if the guy next me is popping candies into his mouth or something of that nature then I wouldnt mind at all, but if he busted out a pig roast I may have to have a quick converstaion with him...

[GraceLikeRainFallsDown]

How do you feel about "eating in church"?

I recently moved and started going to a new church. During the service, some people eat doughtnuts and pastries and drink coffee. I think it is disrespectful and a distraction especially during worship. You should eat before or after church and come ready to church to worship and hear from God.
I am with you on this.

My parents found a church they love. I went to a service and people were eating donuts and coffee during service in their sanctuary. Yes, coffee spilled. I thought it so disrespectful. Couldn't they have the donuts/coffee before or after the service.

Then, in the beginning the pastor asked people to greet one another. People were chewing and holding coffee in one hand and shaking with the other.

I felt it disrespectful of their sanctuary and the pastor who was speaking. Also, how can you really get into the worship music when worrying you are going to knock over the coffee on the floor next to you if you move at all. Very distracting. But, the Pastor allowed it.

I told my parents I felt it disrespectful and I did not want them allowing my daughter to have a donut during service. (She had chocolate all over herself - agree with others a small piece of hard candy would be fine for a child, but chocolate donut all over their face and hands - no) After service was fine.

I told them it was a personal issue. If they were comfortable with it fine for them. I would rather them go to church and eat than not go at all. But, I did not want my daughter to think it was OK for her. They understood and have respected my wishes. I also explained my view to my daughter and she actually agreed.

When I was looking around, it seemed to me that this service I was at was more of a social occassion than a worship service. The reverence for the Lord was gone. :sigh:

Again, I do feel it better people go to church and here a biblcal sermon (which it was when I went), then not go. So, if eating and drinking in the sanctuary get s them to go . . . good for them.

[Gukkor]

Is it an issue of immense importance? No, but I think it better to eat/drink before or after rather than during the service. Then again, I don't go to Sunday service anymore, so what do I know?

[prophecystudent]

Some type of snack for kids, along with appropriate teaching in Sunday school is OK, but not every session. It should be more of a recognition thing.

As to eating and drinking in the sanctuary, I consider that to be a no-no. It is disrespectful of the sanctuary, of the preacher, of the service. Every church I have ever attended has had meeting rooms where we had social functions from time to time. We even had coffee for the ushers and pastors before the services started. During the service, never.

I think of Christ's response when He cleaned out the temple, calling it His Father's House.

I think that pretty well covers it.

Fred

[ub4me]

PERSONALY...I DON'T THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE EATING IN THE CHURCH DURING A SERVICE....
THIS IS A TIME TO GIVE TO GOD AND TO FEED YOUR SPIRIT...LOOK AT HOW MANY HOURS IN A DAY YOU HAVE TO SCARF DOWN SOME FOOD....I DON'T THINK YOU WIOULD BE FULLY CONCENTRATING ON GOD AND WHAT HE HAS TO SAY TO YOU WHEN YOUR MIND IS SAYING MMM CHOCOLATE....AND YOUR TUMMY IS SAYING GIVE ME MORE....:yum:
NOW I KNOW YOU CAN'T TRULY FOCUS IF YOUR STARVING AND YOUR BELLY'S GROWLING EITHER...SO I EAT BEFORE OR AFTER.....AND GIVE GOD THIS TIME.

[KillerV]

There is no food allowed in the sanctuary(due to knew carpet) But if ppl want to drink coffee or whatever during the service then they can sit in the coffee bar area,and every sunday after church we have tons of goodies and coffee.

[DoctorWho]

A church I attended about a year ago allowed coffee in the sanctuary, but that was it. There was a little "cookie bar" down the hall if you wanted a little something to nibble on, but the cookies were not allowed out of that area. Although some were smuggled out on occasion :yum:

That was the first church I had ever been in that allowed any kind of drinks in the sanctuary area. It took a few Sundays to get used to it.

[Daniels]

What do feel about love feast fellowship?

[christianmomof3]

What do feel about love feast fellowship?
We have one every Sunday after church. Everyone brings food and we have a kitchen and there is a rotating kitchen volunteer group and after the meeting each Sunday, we eat together.
We also have pot luck dinners at some of our home group meetings. Our group is meeting at my house this week and my 13 yo dd has invited about 8 of the high school and jr high girls from our church to join us and spend the night :eek: - it should be fun - we will sing lots of songs together and enjoy the Lord with the young people. :)

[Godslilgurlalways]

eATING IN CHURCH.........


I feel there shouldn't be any eating in the sanctuary. I feel that is suppose to be the place where you arre dwelling one on one with God and have pure praise and worship. I find no problem with Gum unless they are smacking it or blowing bubbles or something and no problem with a mint. I would consider this food b/c both make your breath smell good which is he reason most use it or needing something to chew. I feel the sanctuary is a holy place meaning it should be treated with respect, I could see a few people having bottles of water like the elderly or some who really need it. Now I also feel it depends on the event like if it's a church Annvisery or something we eat but it's time set aside and it's nt while worship and praise is going on and not while the preacher is preaching.I feel there is sometimes a good or bad time to do things I feel eating before or after service like in the hall or in your car or at home or something is fine but not in church if you really was that hungry I would recommend eating in the hallway:) I feel we should come to church trying to give him our full attention(God). and it's kind of hard doing that while eating chese fries, burger, and a drink from Starbucks:)

[heatherq17]

I dont think theres nothing wrong with eating mints or gum.

[prophecystudent]

While there may be some folks who cannot go 3/4 of an hour without something to eat or drink, I am not aware of any.

Frankly, I find this concept of eating during the service to be another sign of the increasing apostasy among the various denominations and non-denominations. It is another step in the "tolerance" campaign that makes it easier to extend the disrespect for the next such "issue". If we cannot sacrifice the time to honor God, focused totally on Him for an hour or so, then I submit our priorities are wrong.

Fred

[knownbeforetime]

My church serves donuts, coffee, and juice every Sunday. It's no big deal if a few people are still chomping on a donut when the service starts.

For some reason, I am reminded of college where students regularly brought drinks and a snack to class (just for themselves) and the teacher didn't mind.

But I would draw the line at scarfing down a breakfast burrito as the service began.

[KathyJohnston]

Wear a tuxedo,and eat steak and eggs,with red wine.






sagebrushmtn@shaw.ca

[Wizzer]

How do you feel about "eating in church"?

I recently moved and started going to a new church. During the service, some people eat doughtnuts and pastries and drink coffee. I think it is disrespectful and a distraction especially during worship. You should eat before or after church and come ready to church to worship and hear from God.


Hello HisWord,

This kind of strikes me as being reminiscent of a number of situations that occurred during Jesus’ ministry: Jesus being questioned about eating with sinners, Jesus being questioned about His drinking wine, Jesus being questioned about healing on the Sabbath, Jesus being questioned about His disciples picking grain on the Sabbath, Jesus being questioned about His disciples eating with unwashed hands, Jesus being questioned about His disciples not fasting, ...

So have we learned nothing from all these incidents? It is God who sees the heart. So you see a doughnut and condemn? What is a doughnut but a piece of bread. Are you better than they because you have no doughnut? Please go back and read the exchange over the disciples eating with unwashed hands (Matthew 15:1-20). In particular pay attention to the last few verses. I am afraid that your question may indicate that you have more in common with the Pharisees of Jesus' day than you realize. Go back and think about all the situations I mentioned above. Jesus was all about shattering empty religious tradition. You might want to consider the fact that if Jesus were to walk into your church, He might very well join with those who are eating and drinking. This does not mean they are right in all aspects, but please be careful that you do not condemn their heart simply because of a piece of bread in their hand.

Wizzer

P.S. One time I had a Southern Baptist preacher tell me that he could not imagine Jesus ever sitting down and drinking a beer with a group of guys. But you know what? I really could see Jesus sitting down with a group of men, drinking a beer, and sharing the gospel of His kingdom. Jesus was all about meeting people where they were: He ate with them and drank with them. He touched those who were considered untouchable. Perhaps this Sunday you should go join some of those who are eating and drinking. Get to know them. This is what Jesus would do. Break down the barrier of your heart.

[knownbeforetime]

The only question is: What would Jesus drink? Budweiser or Miller? I get the giggles thinking about it...

[Kitten87]

we definately dont eat during the sunday service. U can have some water if its like a hot day. But afterwards we go into the hall bit and drink tea and eat biscuits n stuff hehe how british!

In our youth services tho its alot more laid back n we do eat little snacky things. Just do it quietly lol

[Jacob4707]

The only question is: What would Jesus drink? Budweiser or Miller? I get the giggles thinking about it...

Well, if He was on a diet, He'd drink the lo-cal beer, Isael-Lite.

But if He was going to cast out some demons, He'd want a macho malt, something like He-Brew.

[Jacob4707]

How do you feel about "eating in church"?

I recently moved and started going to a new church. During the service, some people eat doughtnuts and pastries and drink coffee. I think it is disrespectful and a distraction especially during worship. You should eat before or after church and come ready to church to worship and hear from God.

In the Orthodox church, the custom is to fast from food and water from midnight Saturday night until after you have received communion/the Eucharist at the Divine Liturgy (service). Thus, you wake up, go to church, spend 1.5-hours standing in reverent worship, chanting and praying to God, and then the first thing you taste since you went to bed the night before (other than when you brushed your teeth in the morning) is the Body and Blood of Christ.

(In other words, the question of whether or not to eat or drink in church, or what to eat or drink in church, would never even arise. And, if you've been a non-denominational Protestant for more than 2 decades like we have been, complete with laid-back services and coffee and sodas and gum-chewing during the service, the difference will somewhat blow your mind at first.)

Afterwards, you gather together in the Fellowship Hall for "coffee" - which is actually a full-meal potluck lunch/dinner every Sunday.

[I Surrender All]

I agree with the OP, I think it's disrespectful to eat in the sanctuary during worship. This is not a movie theater. The only exception I think should be for babies.

Plus, my church always has fellowship downstairs afterward, where people can have coffee and cake.

[YoungBerean]

The way I see it when we go to church the only thing we should be eating is the lords supper. I think that any other form of eating "DURING WORSHIP" is not found in the bible and wrong.
Remember 1cor 11:34 "If any one is hungry let him eat at home, so you will not come together for judgment." NASB
Paul is speaking of the Lords supper and thouse abusing it here, but his point still holds true. Take care of your hungry stomach at home!

[Gukkor]

The only question is: What would Jesus drink? Budweiser or Miller? I get the giggles thinking about it...

Neither. Samuel Adams all the way. Always a good decision!:thumbsup:

[Jacob4707]

Neither. Samuel Adams all the way. Always a good decision!:thumbsup:

You mean Shmuel Adams.

[dalej42]

Water is fine. While I choose to fast 12 hours before the service, I'm fine with people bringing in water as the temperature outside is usually close to 100 degrees.

My church has study classes on Wednesday night, I don't care if people eat then as they are likely getting off work.

However, eating during a Sunday service would be a bit odd.

[mohawk]

I can't imagine any reason for eating in church during the service. I think it shows extremely poor taste(no pun intended). Cough drops or bottled water if needed are ok, but coffee & donuts? For a people who use fasting as a means of being closer to God, this is unacceptable.

[christandisrael]

:groupray: The early Christians celebrated over a meal. The truth is that there is not a verse in the Bible saying that they can't.

[Eikon]

It's rude to eat in the presence of others generally,

So you dont go to restaraunts? Id love to know just where you got your idea of etiquette

[christandisrael]

In my local church, it's not a problem. I eat all the time. I even bring extra for those that are lucky enough to sit next to me.

It doesn't distract others and doesn't hinder my contributions to the services. I am still able to make my weekly donation when the collection plate comes around.

Just this last Sunday, I picked up 10 cheeseburgers and shakes from DairyQueen and mowed them down during the first hour of service. :D
LOL!!