Church Etiquette: A Handbook for Manners and Appropriate Behavior in Church

By Linda J Williams

This a handbook to help leaders and members in churches and other places of worship understand and implement the appropriate rules of behavior during services and other activities. Information on etiquette during meetings, social activities and worship services is discussed as well as appropriate behavior for children during worship services. Important information on proper dress, treatment of guests and other topics is also shared. Scripture references are included to emphasize the importance of following etiquette rules in places of worship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 4, 2009
• ISBN: 9781467058544

Linda J Williams

Linda J. Williams has dedicated over 25 years of her life to helping others. Her credentials as a Certified Etiquette Consultant, Certified Book Coach, author, speaker and ministry leader with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and a Master of Arts in Education validate her knowledge and wisdom. Her goal is to help others discover and grow in their purpose to bring God glory.

Book preview

Contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Introduction

1

Entering Your Place of Worship

2

Respecting God’s Sanctuary

3

Come as You Are-Appropriate Dress in Your Place of Worship

4

Welcoming and Greeting Guests

5

Protocol during the Sermon or Message

6.

After the Benediction

7

Etiquette and Social Activities at Your Place of Worship

8

The Etiquetteand Protocol of Meetings at Your Place of Worship

9

Teaching Children the Rules of Ettiquette inYour Place of Worship

10.

Where Do I Begin??

11.

Remarks

Bibliography

Acknowledgments

To God, who is my inspiration. To my husband Henry, my children Jonathan and Tiffany, my Mom, Ella Jones who provided their constant love and support. To my friend Patranelle Brathwaite for just being there. To my Pastor, Reverend Robert B. Hooper, Jr., for planting the seed which God gave him to give to me to write this book. To my New Covenant Baptist Church family for their prayers and encouragement and to Linda Beinlich, Norma Davis, and Patranelle Braithwaite for research assistance.

Foreword

It is with great honor that I write this forward.

I sensed etiquette emanating from Linda the moment I met her in 1979. Just being around her gives one a feeling of wanting to behave in a manner that projects civility and good manners, so this book had to be written by her.

I greatly admire the woman she has become and her ability to build her etiquette business while working full time and taking on the responsibility of wife and mother. Her love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is evident in the pages of this book.

As believers, we often go to our places of worship and forget the main reason we are there. After a while it may become a social meeting place and the reverence it should be given is often overlooked. In this book, Linda has sought to bring these situations to our attention in a very poignant way that is easy to read.

Every place of worship will benefit from having copies of this book. It can be used to bring awareness for the need of proper etiquette in the sanctuary. Youth and other groups can also use it as a tool for training. May it be used to bring honor and glory to God.

Patranelle Brathwaite

Introduction

When you walk into a church or other sanctuary, what do you see? Do you see a dwelling place in which the Lord is present? Is He worshipped and respected? Do you feel the Lord’s presence as you enter? Do you see what appears to be a social organization of individuals with human behaviors and mannerisms going about duties and activities in their place of worship? There has been a noticeable change in the behavior of members in houses of worship over the past several years. Perhaps I notice this because I am an etiquette consultant, and it is an occupational hazard for me. Perhaps God is revealing this to me because He has charged me with this ministry of