We visited a new church this past Sunday, a small church with a small building. (We like small churches.) Before service started, we went in to grab a seat. I didn't see any free seats on that side of the sanctuary, so we walked out and around to the other side. We walk in and head towards a free row of seats. They all have a purse or bulletin in them, as the lady at the end of the row is saving them for someone. So we stand against the wall, patiently waiting to see if some seats will free up. One man noticed that we weren't sitting down and offered to find us some seats. (I should mention here that Kyle was at home with Chloe and Lydia, who were still a little sick and Pedro was out of town. So it was just me and four kids.) The kind man couldn't find any seats, gave me an "I don't know" look and sat back down with his family. At that point, I took the kids out. An usher saw me in the hallway, and said: "We have a few seats (not five) on the front row, is that ok?" I smiled sweetly and said, "No."We left and went to another church down the road.
I'm curious: What would you have done?
10 comments:
Pray tell, where did you visit?
I think I owuld have left as well if no one would have found us seats or made room for us. I would like to say that I would have sat on the floor in front of the first row.
I, too, would have left. I wouldn't expect the family to split up so we could all sit down!
We attend a small church, too, and on those occasions when there is not enough seating, people scoot together, men get up and stand in the foyer, or do whatever is needed to seat a family.
It's just a matter of common courtesy and hospitality.
I would have left. A church that short-sighted is bound to have many other issues! How sad.
Hi! First time reader here. We often sit in fewer seats than we are; I fit up to two on my lap, or an older child does. Younger kids will also stand in the footspace in front of us or sit there and fold papers, or we spread into the aisle! I'm not sure what I would have done in this situation, though, I probably would have felt like you. You really did try and I would have felt unwelcome (and embarrassed) too. The usher should have asked the lady saving seats to give them up, or asked other people to squish up, or, for goodness sake, pulled some folding chairs out of the cupboard!!!! If I were already an attender and felt comfy in the front, I probably would have gone to the front row and had extra kids sit in front of me. Sorry you had to go through this!
In our church either we all scooch, people do sit on the floor if needed, or we bring in extra chairs. I bet that didn't make you feel very welcome, did it?
I would have left too. There is no reason people couldn't have moved around a bit to free up five spots.
What in the WIDE WORLD!!! Those regulars should have all been clamoring... "Here take my seat -- no, no, no... TAKE MINE!!"
Where were their manners?
That was ridiculous!!
I would now name the name of that church and say, "don't go there... they don't want to grow anyway! They don't know how to serve. They are only a self serving bunch of... Oh I don't knows."
LOL Crazy... I think I too would have left.
I would have left. I am beyond words on that.
You need to come to our church!! The teen boys jump up and get more chairs when needed. :)
It's happened to us. My hubby had just deployed and I was alone with 4 kids (1 about a month old). I was so dang angry with the "seat saving" and so we just left...in tears.
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