1. Arrival and Preparation

Arrive Early: Coming early allows time for personal prayer and preparation before the service begins. Late arrivals can disrupt the flow of worship.

Prepare Your Heart: Spend a few moments in silent prayer or reflection, focusing on God before the service starts.

2. Entering the Sanctuary

Enter Quietly: Avoid loud conversations or unnecessary noise when entering the sanctuary, as others may be praying or preparing for worship.

Seating: Take your seat promptly and avoid disrupting others. If you arrive late make sure that when you take your seats you are not disturbing others.

3. During Worship

Engage Fully: Actively participate in singing, praying, and reading scripture. Worship is not a performance but a communal act of devotion.

Respect the Worship Leaders: Follow the lead of worship leaders and musicians without drawing unnecessary attention to yourself.

Clapping and Rejoicing: Participate joyfully but in a way that is sensitive to the overall atmosphere of worship.

Follow the flow of the service.

4. During the Sermon

Listen Attentively: Give your full attention to the preacher. Avoid talking, whispering, or other distractions during the sermon.

Take Notes: Bring a notebook or use a Bible app (in airplane mode) to jot down key points. Avoid using devices for unrelated purposes.

Avoid Movement: Refrain from leaving or moving around unless absolutely necessary, especially during key moments like prayer or altar calls.

Avoid unnecessary interruptions.

Engage in service

5. Prayer Time

Corporate Prayer: Participate reverently during times of public prayer. If you are leading prayer, keep your focus on God rather than drawing attention to yourself.

Altar Calls: Respond sincerely to altar calls and respect the space of others who are praying.

6. Use Phones and Devices

  • Keep Phones Silent: Put phones on silent or turn them off to avoid disruptions during the service.
  • No Unnecessary Use: Avoid texting, scrolling social media, or taking calls unless there is an emergency.
  • Digital Bible Use: If using a Bible app, ensure it’s for scripture reading only and not a source of distraction.

7. Children in Service

  • Teach Respect: Guide children to sit quietly and participate as much as they are able.
  • Use Designated Spaces: For younger children, utilize nursery or cry rooms if available to minimize disruption.
  • Quiet Activities: Provide quiet activities like coloring books or Bible-based puzzles for younger kids to help them stay engage---

8. Respect for Leaders and all

  • Ambassadors and hosts: Follow their guidance regarding seating, safety, and service flow.
  • Preachers: Show respect by giving your undivided attention, and refrain from interrupting or critiquing publicly during the sermon.
  • Prayer Ministry: Respect those ministering at the altar and allow them to lead in prayer without unnecessary interruptions.
  • Board Members to give oversight over the entire church.

9. During Altar Calls

  • Move Promptly: If you feel led to respond, do so without hesitation.
  • Respect Others: Avoid standing too close to others or interrupting their personal time with God.
  • Support in Prayer: If you are praying for someone else, maintain appropriate physical and spiritual boundaries.
  • Avoid rushing to the toilet this time.

10. Ending of service

  • Unless absolutely necessary, avoid leaving before the service concludes with altar call.
  • Fellowship Quietly: After service, transition to fellowship areas for socializing to maintain reverence in the sanctuary.
  • Thank Volunteers and Leaders: Show appreciation for those who served during the service, from ushers to worship leaders

11. General Courtesy

  • Minimize Distractions: Avoid eating, or engaging in non-worship-related activities.
  • Respect Seating Preferences: Avoid blocking others' views or moving unnecessarily once the service has started.
  • Personal Items: Keep your personal belongings contained to your seating area.
  • Please clean up the toilet after using it.
  • Make sure you clear the rubbish properly.

1 Corinthians 14:40 (NKJV):

"Let all things be done decently and in order."

Reverence, order, and active participation in services honour God and ensure the church remains a place where His Spirit can move freely.

Proper church etiquette during services aims to create an atmosphere that glorifies God, minimizes distractions, and allows everyone to worship freely. These practices demonstrate reverence for God, respect for others, and unity within the congregation.