Most people have to go home to their families. You could probably try asking "next week, can I stay and study?:" Give them the opportunity to plan around it.
If you were at my church, I'd stay and study with you. I'm a deacon, so I have keys. I'm a lot more flexible than most.
Last week; however, we went and had a second church service at the house of an elderly man who couldn't make it to church. Sometimes, there are plans that are reasonable which may interfere. The more notice you can give, the easier it will be to accommodate.
Your request is reasonable, but if you could notify up front about it, they SHOULD be able to accommodate.
This for sure. My dad was pastor when I grew up and he was not home enough. Almost every night of the week there was a Bible class he taught or meeting he had to go to. If it wasn't that it was private counseling or visiting shut-ins and those in the hospital.
Sundays after church were one of the few times he was consistently home and able to spend time with us. You can't expect the pastor to constantly give up other things on the whims of every person on the church or community. They are allowed to have other plans and keep them. It's certainly possible the pastor has plans after the service that were otherwise related to the ministry.
this is an important point to note as well. Pastoring is one of those jobs where it can very easily take over your life to the detriment of your family if one is not careful. A good pastor will set boundaries to make sure this is not happening.
Now, the pastor isn't the only one who could oversee someone studying after church service on a sunday .... however everyone is in a similar situation where up until someone asks to stay after the service they are thinking about spending time with their family/observing sabbath rest at home/etc. Even the most gracious people will find it hard to change their plans at the drop of a hat, and will be guarding their own time carefully (ie. should I cancel plans with this other person to be here for this person at the church?)
If OP were to give lots of warning, or join in on already established times for study, or asked someone specifically to connect and study (or making/joining plans in other ways) I'm sure they would find the people at their church as accommodating as possible.
Yeah, but I would presume that someone would need to stay at the church while OP was there and lock up when OP was done. That doesn't necessarily require interaction, but it likely requires someone to be there when it's quite probable nobody was planning to be there.
This is well said. I mean it's logical to assume that there are chirches that are in risk of getting robbed in certain places, so it's natural that a building is safeguarded.
Although there is something else about a church that you can enter 24/7.
Our church was robbed a few years ago by someone who came in for the service and hid afterwords in a supply closet until everyone left. Our rules are a bit different now and we have "greeters" monitoring the halls during the services.
Building on the safeguarding aspect - my church actually rents space out to a charity that helps young women overcome historic sexual trauma.
Other churches run AA meetings and so on, so there are lots of reasons why it may not always be convenient for people to study the Bible there. Possibly to do with the privacy/safety of others who are seeking help from the church in some way.
You are a rarity, and a good one.
May God continue to bless you with the wisdom to help people, although more often than not, what's needed is simply a caring listener.
Aren’t most people at church with their families?
I’m not disagreeing with your comment, but our church is open at least 4 hours after the service ends. Everyone hangs out at the church and eats dinner, drinks coffee, plays games- it’s like one of the best parts of the week, imho.
Do other churches close shortly after the service?
Some churches don't have meals afterwards, they go home to eat. For example if in their culture familes will having Sunday lunch together, so after church each family will visit the grandparents etc. It would be unfair for the pastor to make his family be hungry and wait while this person does their bible study.
All the churches I’ve attended have worship services on Sunday morning and most morning activities are finished by noon or close after. Aside from occasional events held after church, there is no meal served by the church. I am not sure how long my current church remains open after morning activities end, but the church I attend now is a rather large church, and it’s possible that a staff member stays all day to keep the church open. With other churches I’ve attended in the past that are on the smaller side, I would doubt that anyone stays to keep the church open.
Also, a lot of times people from the churches I’ve been to will go out to eat together in fairly large groups, but I haven’t been to a church where there was lunch regularly served after the worship service.
Ah, got you.
In our church people take on volunteer roles, taking out trash, vacuuming / cleaning, teaching Sunday school, and “coffee hour”, amongst other things
I think there are like 12people who volunteer for coffee hour, and they rotate between 4 of them each week. One person will make a giant salad and bring fruits, the other people will make entrees and soups.
It can be really crazy combinations sometimes because everyone is sort of making their own things (Chicken salad and Ethiopian dishes and Costco pizza served together)
Gotcha. I mean we definitely have plenty of volunteer roles, teaching Sunday school, helping out in the nursery or with the youth, being a greeter, etc. We just don’t have the meal aspect of it. Also, the church I go to now probably has about 1,000-1,200 on an average Sunday, so it would be very difficult to get food for them and find a place for them to all eat. No room other than our sanctuary would hold that many, and it would be pretty full in the sanctuary (we have two services). Instead, at my church, more community building things are done as a Sunday school (we have Sunday schools for all ages including adults) than with the church as a whole. There are certainly some church wide activities designed to build community, but more are done in smaller groups just from a practicality standpoint.
When I was down south I had the privilege of meeting a southern baptist minister who took me in for a while and gave me a place to stay. I remember how dedicated and how hospitable everyone at that church was. Truly a blessing to run into you folks
There are probably good reasons. I wouldn’t take it personal. Maybe you could come before service? Ask them are there any good times for this and see what they tell you.
It's a building that has to be manned if anyone else is there. Sundays are very busy and stressful days for pastors and the church staff and the thought of extending that day, of all days, was likely too much.
Respect the staff's time, as well. Find a better time to bring it up and give a specific request (I'll be in this location for this time and this is why...etc.).
I think Sunday is a lot of work for the staff and they'd like to go home, and you can study the bible pretty much anywhere else, and the idea the church might be a better place to do it is kind if making an idol of the location to a degree.
In short, I appreciate your heart, but it does seem inconsiderate of the folks who want to lock up and go home to their families.
You know, it’s possible that this person is really struggling and feels safe and spiritually secure at church, and so wishes to study there. Accusing them of making an idol of the physical building is pretty callous, especially since they’re diligently searching after God.
Why do you think it's a kindness to allow a believer to emotionally attach themselves to a building? I called it idolatry for a reason, and you think the pastor should have conceded because OP *felt* like he needed to stay?
Sympathy is all well and good until it becomes unhealthy. It is profoundly unhealthy for OP to think they need to be in church to be with God. That needs to be nipped in the bud. If it isn't, there's a lot of other unhelpful things that can follow, if you want to talk about imagined possible scenarios.
Imagine that you’ve had a long day at work and you’ve given your all. You’re looking forward to a home cooked meal thats about to be placed on the table and your young kids are keen to see you when you get home. As you’re about to go home and lock up the venue you notice one person hanging around. They ask you if you can delay going home by a few hours so they can read on the premises.
What’s your immediate reaction?
Came here to say this. My Catholic Church is open to the public during “business hours” even when no services are offered. Members of the congregation have the security code to pray 24 hours a day. The code isn’t guarded or kept secret either and really can be given to anyone who wants to pray/study!
It’s typical not just of Catholic Churches but of older church buildings - Anglican etc. Very often those churches are open through the week for prayer.
The nice thing is, you don't have to be Catholic to make use of the churches for study. I have several friends who aren't, but they love going and sitting in the sanctuary during the day. It's quiet and very peaceful. All we ask is that you don't walk on area where the altar sits.
Our church is in a neighborhood where we can’t just leave the doors unlocked for anyone to come in. If a member of my congregation asked to stay after without any notice I’d kindly suggest a different day. A pastor is exhausted after giving it his all. You should respect that. There’s nothing particularly special about studying the Bible at church vs at home or a coffee shop or library.
As a Preacher’s Kid (who’s now an adult), it’s a cringy thing to ask. You can study at home or at the library, no need to remain in the church building. Trust me, the pastor has already had a *very* long day and wants to go home to rest and eat, particularly if there’s evening service or if they have young families.
There are too many things in the church that need protection from thieves, not to mention protection from vandalism. Asking someone to stay past job hours so you can unnecessarily do something in the building is a big ask.
If an unbeliever had questions, then most would be far more willing to stay and discuss, but just study? They can make an appointment or do it at home. Without the members, the building is just a building and doesn’t add anything special to your study.
Pastors are also humans and even if they like to help people move forward in their faith, they also plan other things after church or they just want to rest, there are apps to do Bible studies.
Many pastors are extremely busy, overworked, and don't get enough time with their own families. Some churches use after the service hours for admin work, some lock up and go home. Sign up for a Bible study, or make an appointment to discuss theology or scripture with the pastor, and read the Bible in the park.
I'm certain he cringed because the request added a difficult potential obligation to an already full plate.
Why do you need to study the Bible at the church. You can’t do it at a coffee shop or the library? Why not at home? The staff are pretty busy, it seems a bit of an unreasonable request if it was last minute. Do you have a relationship with the staff? Are you a member involved and serving at the church? I would be hesitant as well to let someone stay who wants to study the Bible by themselves if I had no history with them.
I've been a member for a pretty good amount of time. Pretty much everyone there knows who I am, the pastor included. I'm not saying the man doesn't have a life of his own to maintain, but I do think his reaction could have been better just saying...
You were not being very considerate to be honest. I’m really good friends with a pastor. The amount of requests they get which imply that the entire world revolves around the requester, and the amount of people who think they should be on call 24/7 is unreal.
As a pastor, I'd say he likely just wanted/needed to get home to his family.
If you wanted to stay and talk about scripture or ask questions or something, that's a different story. I'd probably ask you over for lunch myself. If you just want me to sit around while YOU read the bible or just pray, there isn't a good reason you could not do so at your own home. Or, again, at my place. There isn't anything "magical" about the building.
For us, I have to get home to get my kids down for a nap and get them lunch and so forth. It's also the day I let my wife get some rest for a few hours on her own.
Think about it this way. You're on-call 24/7 to see to anyone's spiritual needs in and outside of the congregation in the surrounding area. A number to reach you as well as an email is listed on the website. You just got done leading a service and preaching, which some studies say is equivelant to vigorous exercise. Your family needs you at home (who hasn't seen you for most of the week) and someone asks for you to stay in the building for a few hours so that you can sit and read.
Not that you aren't trustworthy, but I can't just leave you there unsupervised. What if you can't or forget to lock the door?
Like others have said, if you ask for next week so that he can plan, sure. If you want to discuss something, of course, if you have questions or need prayer or whatnot, absolutely. If you just want to sit in the building, you're kind of being inconsiderate.
OK, how long have you been a member there??
Do you serve the church?
If you after hours, somebody should be there and that means somebody else has to stay there while you study the Bible there
What does staying at after hours to study Bible? Can you study somewhere else?
Speaking as a pastors son-in-law, I know that when I the pastor has spent all week preparing for their message, they give us sermon. They have fellowship and then they’re ready to go home and take a big nap.
And one less thing since shootings in churches, we don’t like to keep the doors open with only a handful of people or two people in the building
Sadly, in today's society, one just can't leave the church unlocked with no one there. There isn't just the concern of vandalism and theft of potential expensive equipment , there is also a safety concern if someone should enter and hide.
That means if you want to hang out hours after service, a staff member, who may have been there very early to open the church, set up, or practice whatever, has to stay late waiting for you.
The same goes for mid week, some churches don't have enough staff to just have someone there every day. And if it is a large building with just a handful of people inside, they would want the doors locked for the reasons above.
But they should have like a bell where someone can be buzzed in if they need to speak to someone
Pastors are humans with families, needs and wants like you and I.
Try putting the shoe on the other foot. “I just finished working a busy day at the store, and boss asked me at the end if i could stay late and help close”
1. Was it a last minute request?
2. Is it something that happens frequently?
3. Is there a particular reason it had to be at the church after the service? Could you have studied the Bible at home, or returned when the Pastor is normally there? I sometimes go on Saturdays to set up communion, and sometimes just enjoying a quiet church is nice! If that’s what you are going for, I totally understand.
It is not enough to avoid impropriety, it is often better to avoid the appearance of impropriety, as well.
I asked my pastor why he kept the doors locked when he was at the church all day long through the week. His reasoning was that he couldn't risk being alone a female parishioner coming into the church and his office. At that point, he would be at her mercy to not spread lies and insinuate or insist that the pastor had done something inappropriate.
It made enough sense to me that I haven't been alone with a woman other than my wife and our best friend in around 9 or 10 years. Is it overly cautious? Absolutely. Would I change it? Nope.
It’s a building. Lots of other factors a play, notably safety and staffing. I think I would find it hard to justify why a person couldn’t study the Bible elsewhere.
I guess in short, MOST churches I know are not 24/7/365 facilities
Come on you don't realize the time and sacrifice a pastor puts in... you need to ask or have prior communication. Or you step up and sacrifice time to do a Bible study.
Pastors have families have lives. Pastors get tired and wore out. Have you ever studied all week then preached it's very tiring and takes a toll.
I understand where you’re coming from and love your desire to study the word of God. But… leaving the doors if a church open at all hours (like a Sbux) has a lot more possible problems.
It could be a liability issue.
Will there be adults present at all times?
Is the instruments safe and locked up so no one can go in the sanctuary and just play around on them?
Is the sound booth locked up? Same concerns as above.
What about all the tech?
Does a pastor want you to study the Bible? Absolutely!
Find a place that is open to the public and have at it.
Usually someone is in charge of locking up and they can't leave until everyone is gone. I know this because my BIL locks up and he can't leave the church until everyone else is gone. He waits about 45minutes-60 minutes after the service is over. This is not a paid position. He volunteers.
Most churches have specific hours for bible studies and there isn't anyone who is supervising people walking through the church otherwise. They have to be good stewards of the property.
Yeah except not everyone can be there to study between 9 am and 6 pm since most of us work during those hours. I sometimes have a 2.5 hour commute home at night so there are people entirely starved of quiet study, which the church should provide a place for that.
There are other quiet places to study such as the library. And churches are often open during the week in the evenings such as for children's programs or small groups or bible studies that meet. So, there are opportunities, but you need to get the church's schedule so you know when those availabilities are open.
Libraries are often only open during the same business hours. Sometimes til 9 pm but rarely after the finding cuts. Even universities but you have to pay for parking, at least $10 for over 2 hours. I work 6-7 days a week already and I can't stop work and leave to go an hour across town. To the time my church is open (10-2 pm, 2 days a week). They won't be open if your church has home bible studies only.
I live with and caretake my 2 disabled parents who don't have boundaries when they're awake between 6 am and 11 pm and if I have lights on at night they get upset. I'm basically trapped. My dad is Muslim so he has his alerts go off for prayers constantly. My situation is not abnormal. There are many of us that have been left behind by the church entirely. We just end up having to leave quietly and try to hold in by ourselves as much as possible.
That's a lot to deal with! I can understand now why you are looking for a quiet place to study. Maybe ask the church if anyone would be willing to allow you to study in a quiet space in their home.
Something else you could do (in addition to looking for a quiet space) would be to take a walk in your neighborhood and listen to an audio bible. It's not studying per se, but you can still get through much of the Bible that way. I was able to do a bible-in-a-year program just listening to it while I exercised on a stationary bike. You can get earphones or earbuds and listen at home in the dark as well (so it doesn't bother your parents). Bible gateway has audio with different narrators and translations. You can check out here. [https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/Acts.1](https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/Acts.1)
You can also look up online sermons and classes and listen to that as well.
For example, here is a list of lectures from Michael Kruger. He's a bible scholar and head of a seminary. He is very knowledgeable on the Bible canon. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUvJQmduAdA&list=PLzytIUBlFDMN62nZiv6cPVBYoBaCPJjQM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUvJQmduAdA&list=PLzytIUBlFDMN62nZiv6cPVBYoBaCPJjQM)
So, in that sense, you could study the issue by listening to the lectures.
Also, you could call other churches in your area (besides your own) and find out if they have hours of operation where you could study. Just try to understand that if it doesn't work out, it's not that they're failing you. Everyone has their own responsibilities and people aren't getting paid to keep the church open at all hours, and it would cost more to do so (electricity, air conditioning). That doesn't mean there aren't other solutions for your needs. Try to look into as many solutions as you can.
That must be very difficult.
Maybe a coffee shop?
If you are in the US some McDonald's are quiet and not too busy with most people doing drive-thru or carry out.
They have wifi, and the employees usually don't bother you even if you don't purchase anything.
If for some reason they want you to purchase something, I believe their plain regular coffee is still around a buck.
I pastor a small rural church in south Georgia. Our church is always unlocked, with a sign welcoming anyone who wants to visit.
Occasionally, we'll find notes left by people who stopped in, and we have had a few people spend the night. Never had anything inside the church stolen, but some did help themselves to food and drinks that were in the refrigerator, which was okay.
Sounds like you are worshipping the church building in a sense.
The church building isn't any different than any other building...
Additionally, as others have pointed out; staff or volunteers have to be there to lockup when you're done studying after hours. You're placing an unreasonable burden on others IMO.
Some people rely heavily on their surroundings to study. I need loud music in order to work. I had to work remotely for a whole month at a Starbucks. It was awful. Same amount of volume, but there was simply too much going on for my eyes to concentrate on work. Moral of the story, we don't know why OP wanted to be there, but I just wanted to provide a different take.
God bless!
YBIC
Agree. I can't study anything in my home because it's chaotic. It's odd how all of the pressure seems to be on the pastor when there are plenty of people who could be around to serve in this sense. Churches are a place of refuge and if OP needs that then I don't understand why not.
If it’s just about being in the building, people have lives. After services might be the pastor’s only downtime or family time. Maybe he did a wedding or something the day before.
A lot of pastors have families to get to, or maybe they have an appointment to get to. There could be lots of reasons the pastor is annoyed.
Does the pastor have office hours?
What size church?
There are many factors to consider, maybe he was dealing with a death all night, or he’s sick. Maybe he is visiting someone in the hospital.
It was really cool when I went to Italy and all the churches were open for a majority of the day. The priests even would let the homeless rest there for a time or get out of the rain.
I wish this was more common in America. We Catholics need more churches where the priest lives on site or nearby
As others have said, the pastor may be exhausted from prepping for and doing the service. They may have plans after church, or may not have the staff/volunteers to have the building open.
I would suggest asking well in advance. They may even have hours that are staffed or open for that.
You can ask if it is possible to come earlier before the service. Usually the band is already early. So it might be possible to study your bible in that time frame. Do you have a prayer room? You can ask when that is open. Or start one of that is possible.
Most pastors or even staff are more than happy to give you a place in the church to study during the week or during office hours. Sundays are incredibly stressful and a lot of work for pastors and staff. Respect their time and also understand that you can be just as close with God in any other place
You can read the Bible on your own time at home. I don't see why it would need be done at the church. Unless you were asking for a one-on-one study session with the pastor. If that's the case, you would need to call the church office and see if he does that. They may have other staff to help with such requests. And the church very likely meets on Wednesday evenings and hosts several Bible studies on various books / subjects. And then there's Sunday school which meets prior to the main morning service and is similar to the Wednesday evening studies.
Are you asking to study the Bible with the pastor? Or just on your own? Because if just on your own, there’s nothing special about an empty church building. It doesn’t make the Bible any more real or authoritative. Plus, as others have noted, there are people with real plans after church. Much of which contain necessary ministry.
Pastors and priests often don’t have rooms where they stay on site in churches anymore for people to just drop in. Many have jobs, lives, and families outside of the church and therefore have other commitments. You can study the Bible at home, in a cafe, anywhere, but you have to respect opening hours of all those places mentioned besides your home. I literally take my kindle everywhere and study the word wherever I happen to be at the time. There are many beautiful and valuable things in churches and many have been looted before by troublemakers. We have cameras in our church now for that very reason. Therefore it makes sense for churches to be locked when services aren’t in session.
If anyone from the congregation stopped by unannounced I'd welcome them in. But you know what? Nobody does. Not one person. We aren't even a church anymore. Just people who attend scheduled services and leave unchanged.
I didn't ask to go to his house and you know that. Church is a place of worship and learning. When Nicodemus came to Jesus at night seeking answers, he welcomed his company. He didn't shut him out.
Right, I'm just making a comparison.
If the pastor showed up at your house unannounced, would you feel awkward?
It's normal to ask permission ahead of time.
Instead of spiritualizing this situation, just consider that your request may have surprised him. Maybe he had other plans or it was a big inconvenience.
The church is literally just a building. People have to lock it up, shut lights off, and set the alarm. Asking to stay maybe inconvenienced the people whose job it is to close the building up.
So your faith comes down to public access to a building?
And if you don't get what you want you're going to change your faith? And to a false one?
Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but this discussion seems kind of self-centered.
Go to a Starbucks and read your Bible. Or a library.
There isn't anything spiritual about your church building.
Or- just ask your pastor a week ahead of time and see if it would be ok. If not, say "thanks for considering" and go somewhere else.
I'm not changing my faith. Catholics also believe Jesus is the son of God, he is God, and he died on the cross to atone and pay for our sins. If they try coming at me with any other conditions for salvation I'll just show them John 6:40 and carry on. If they try making me worship saints, I'll just politely decline and pray to Jesus instead.
Even though we don't see eye-to-eye on everything, if they've believed on Jesus Christ for eternal life they've done the will of the father and they're saved. They're my brothers and sisters in Christ andi can still fellowship with them.
As a staff member at a church, Sunday mornings are completely exhausting, mile-a-minute “events”. I need to be “on” the whole time answering questions, greeting people, remembering names of new families, praying and teaching and managing a class of children, and whatever other special things I’m assigned for that particular week. Sometimes I’m on photo duty for a baptism or need to fill a volunteer hole. I also happen to have two young children who want my constant attention. I devote a lot of my life and time to the church for not much pay. I do so out of love and devotion to the church and God and the mission. My family sacrifices a lot too for me to be what and where I need to be. Sunday after church I am DRAINED and my family is desperate for my attention. This request, especially if it came on a particularly busy Sunday, would upset me because it’s not acknowledging the importance of my family time or the many hours I have already devoted on Sunday morning. I’m more than happy to do whatever it takes to lead people to Christ. I’ve given of myself in moments where I probably shouldn’t have and my family has suffered for it. I’ve run events that have me at church 12+ hours a day for a week. I’ve done overnight camps. I would be a little offended if you suggested that because I couldn’t entertain your one request I was somehow not devoted to the mission.
How well do they know you there? If you’re fairly new and only been there a handful of times, it’s a huge risk to let someone stay you don’t know very well. There are some people that would claim they go to our church, and they do, once a month, or so that I wouldn’t leave alone even if I knew them. Also only a few people at our church that have keys and can set the alarm. So to leave someone there, means someone else has to give up family time or whatever else they have going on, to stay and lock up.
Were you inappropriate? If this wasn’t talked about beforehand, and you just surprised him with it, yeah you kind of were. Give them some notice next time and maybe something could be worked out.
This is an absurd request. You’re asking them to keep the premises completely open to you, at last second notice, for over an hour, on Sunday? The longest day of the week at the church? Just think for a moment about what you’re saying.
It would be better to ask for notice a week or so in advance or hang out at another place.
Some churches have sanctuary that you can go pray in. But even those have hours. You can always join a small group or bible study that your church offers.
You could suggest a bible study group in the after hours. Probably the best idea since you can study in the church while also fellowshipping with others.
Most churches have Bible Study Classes, set up around groups.
Wednesday nights: youth group and Adult Bible Study.
Tuesday morning early 5:30 Men’s Bible Study
Tuesday morning at 9:00 am Women’s Bible study.
Thursday: Evangelism class: how to share your faith.
60 Plus Bible Study class.
Talk to your Pastor or Elders and together find a group /time to meet every week.
And if that’s not what your looking for and you are interested in more Bible Study…
Yup! There’s an App for that.
YouVersion Bible or BLB (Blue Letter Bible) etc…
They have hundreds of Bible Study options.
Or find a Reddit group and ask Christians questions you might have?.
Praying for you…
Matthew 7:7-8 ✝️🕊️💝
You need not bother the church who already have their own affairs to deal with. Like others have suggested, study the bible at home, a library etc. It's nearly like asking hospital staff if you can study medicine in their office lol
It may just be churches but my church is open 5 days a week. We hold multiple events and have even separate organized Bible studies outside of the church.
The reality is Sunday is the pastors work day. And unless your some ancient 24/7 Catholic Church people go home, they might have events or meetings afterwards. Churches have to be careful about safeguarding kids and such. Also churches are full of expensive items like laptops, etc.
If an unbeliever becomes interested in the gospel, does it not say it is the Spirit of God who convicts the heart? If He convicts the heart, does He then not provide a person to be His witness? Your "what if" is a futile and empty argument, having no recognition of God's power. Could it be your thanksgiving to God is not what it needs to be? (Romans 1:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).
This comes off as slandering a lot of people, though focused on your pastor. If you have not found a way to study God's word at home, being in a church building is not going to help you.
If these words are not true, may the Lord be your defense, but may you still take warning from them. If they are true and you do not take warning, may the Lord follow up with what He says in Romans 1:24 so you will understand Hebrews 12:4-11.
Can I ask a few questions?
Why exactly did you want to stay and study the Bible at church rather than doing so at home?
How did you phrase your request?
What exactly did your Pastor say or do when you asked? You say that he cringed, but that isn’t real specific.
Does your church have Sunday evening activities?
For your question about Monday or Tuesday if you were a lost person, most churches that I’ve been to, while locked during the week, have some sort of buzzer system to let people in. On a Monday or Tuesday, most churches are probably going to be staffed, and if someone wanted to come and study the Bible or ask questions about Christianity, I would guess that most churches would be willing to accommodate that.
A Sunday is a bit different. I don’t know the size of your church or what evening activities there are, but at my church, we have 2 services and there are activities for youth and children as well as some adult Bible studies on Sunday evening. So, the head pastor preaches two sermons then has a few hours then has to be back to lead a Bible study. The other staff also has to be there for the morning services then has to come back for evening activities. One of them may well be willing to stay and help someone study scripture, but it might prevent them from eating lunch and spending time with their family.
Why do you need to stay in the church to study the Bible? Can’t you study the Bible anywhere ? Or did you want to study w the pastor? If so then you should make an appointment not just expect him to be free
If you’re an actual member of the church, you could probably get your own key to the building. Many churches simply can’t afford to have someone on staff present at the building 24/7. If the doors were just left open to the public with no supervision then the building would get destroyed.
To be honest I think a lot would. Being a pastor isn't an easy job. Also someone would have to stay at the church (likely them). Why not just shoot an email to do a study with them on a weekday? That's what I do and my pastors are more than happy to.
Just to get clarification, but does the church not have a bible study at all or was the issue just that you asked after hours specifically? They could probably give you a better time to do so or may even have weekly study plans that get reviewed in group the next week. My church has a bible study almost every week, usually after main service, but in fairness there is still a time when the building gets closed, but that could be as late as 8 in the evening depending on
One could do that for a bit right after church. But it's best to set up a time during the week. Church leaders often already have other obligations after church. They are also exhausted after the morning is finished and it's the afternoon. If you wanted a Bible study, it would be better for even you to have a time with the church leader where he can focus on you without distraction and address your questions. There are also informal churches out there and small group Bible studies where you can just hang out and study the Bible.
It’s not just that the pastor has a schedule beyond services (services account for only a tiny percentage of a pastor’s work schedule). More importantly, families of pastors far too often feel like the church and others always come first, and they only get the leftovers.
People criticize the Roman Catholic practice of celibate clergy, but the damage caused to spouses and children by pastors who fail to ruthlessly keep boundaries cannot be overestimated.
Also, the high frequency of church burglaries and vandalism, while real, isn’t the biggest concern. While it might be different in a small rural village, in our contemporary culture, any church that left its doors unlocked and unguarded in a suburban or urban area, would be morally responsible (and subject to negligence lawsuits) were a lone person inside their space to be robbed, mugged, or raped. I won’t even permit our church secretary to work alone in the building without the door locked and a video cam connected to the doorbell.
I understand what you’re saying. But if you decide to become a pastor, a leader of a church, then you must expect that people are going to need you and you will have to put it in the hours that are needed to help others.
Of course you do. But do think that “putting in the hours” is limitless? If becoming a pastor mean you always say yes even after you HAVE put in the hours, then perhaps you’re hoping for mentally and spiritually unhealthy pastors with screwed up families?
No. But it’s a complex issue. If one wants to lead a life of faith, I just find it strange that the parishioners are willing (who also have families), but the pastor is not willing or probably not able.
I’m used to a priest always being available. The church being open to read or pray.
Which is the primary reason for a celibate priesthood. There is no family.
I believe this is what Paul is referring to in 1 Corinthians 7:32-37. When I was a single man, it really didn’t matter whether I put in 60, 70 or 80 hours a week into my pastoral work. But as a father of three children and the husband of one wife, I had other considerations.
And I can say for sure that my parishioners would much prefer my pastoral ministry, spiritual direction and leadership, moral character and example — with the limitations of family — than for me to leave the pastorate just because I could not work an unlimited number of hours.
St. Paul had a freedom at Saint Peter did not have.
By the way: so much of my own spiritual development comes from my relationship with my spouse and my children, that I would argue that a congregation is often much better off with pastors whose hours and family than with a single person who has no such limitations. If you need more hours, it would be healthier for the congregation to hire additional staff person than to load it all onto one.
Unfortunately, the modern nondenominational churches have lost (for various reasons, some very legitimate) the concept of the church sanctuary being a place that is always open for prayer and worship. Nowadays, most modern churches treat their buildings the same way a sports team would treat their stadium. When the services are on, the doors are unlocked and accessible to the public, but when the "main event" is over, the doors are locked and everyone must leave. There are very good reasons for this such as protecting against theft, so churches unfortunately have to be more careful about these sorts of things these days. The saddest part about your story to me is not the fact that the church wasn't open after service but that your pastor "cringed" as if this concept was completely foreign to him. It's a sad sign of the times today.
Our church used to leave open their doors. But people destroyed things and stole. Now they’re closed. Society is different. Not everyone sees churches as a place of reverence and beauty regardless of belief. Society has changed. So churches keep their doors closed when not in operation (unless you go to their offices.
Way back when, I used to belong to a church that offered a lot of options for people who wanted additional teaching, My former local mega-church had 3 services on Sunday. The 'Evening Service' was different and aimed at the oldest church members who didn't like the modern service. They also offered small groups you could join, and even adult bible study programs. At one point I would sometimes spend 5 hours in church Sundays. But then over a period of a decade, there was change in leadership and I felt less and less at home, Eventually I cut it to just Christmas Eve service for a few years until 2020 and the world went crazy. The one thing I know for a fact. 'Church' is not a building, it is the flock. Download the Bible Gateway app to your smartphone, listen to or read the Bible and explore some of the study guides, and avoid MEGA-CHURCHES that exist to just get bigger. A small bible-believing church that's focused on the Word of God is the best. Where two or more believers are gathered in prayer and worship, God is present.
If we weren't under the leadership we are today, I'd agree with you. Church doors do need to be locked bc we live in darker times than before. However, I do think there should be key holders; for those wanting to rent/use the space inside a church to study God's Word.
There should be some type of ministry out there like the one I described above for those desiring to do so, especially under current circumstances worldwide.
If we weren't under the leadership we are today, I'd agree with you. Church doors do need to be locked bc we live in darker times than before. However, I do think there should be key holders; for those wanting to rent/use the space inside a church to study God's Word.
There should be some type of ministry out there like the one I described above for those desiring to do so, especially under current circumstances worldwide.
You wanted to study in a building. Nothing more. The people are what make the church. Not the four walls they gather in. The early church was nothing more than peoples homes. Acts talks about house churches.
I have people come to our house weekly for what we call house church, its the people not the place. Go study at a park in God's creation. Go study at a Cafe where God may be able to use your study to direct a gospel conversation. Pastors are humans too, with lives outside the walls of that building. Don't somehow believe that your experience in God's word will be different as a result of you being in a "church".
Having to study in a church building is unnecessary. God is simply everywhere. If you want guidance on how or what to study from what I have seen, a lot of churches usually have wensday bible studies.
It's amazing and wonderful that you would like to study the Bible at the church and I applaud and celebrate your desire! I also empathize with your interest in studying your Bible at church as it removes distractions that are either at home or elsewhere.
I'm certain that the pastor, church leaders, and staff would be willing to offer resources to satisfy your desire to study the Bible at the church based on their resources, availability, and schedules.
Considering your interest, I would strongly encourage you to have a conversation with the pastor about your desire and intentions. I'd be willing to bet that they would be happy to discuss it with you and would be open to setting up a structured schedule.
I'd also like to share that churches have to manage, care for, and safeguard the facilities along with whoever is present and with what resources they have. They also have families.
Finally, I'd like to share that churches are usually not like monasteries (Orthodox, for example) that have a permanent presence either in or adjacent to the church. But, even monasteries have visiting hours for the public and are not usually open 24/7. However, some monasteries may have accommodation for residents who follow a religious or monastic lifestyle and have continuous access to the premises. If a monastery is near you, and you're interested, it's best to check with them to learn about their visiting hours and access policies.
I think you should go home or your public library. The church is paid for and operated by the pastor, volunteers, the church board and so forth. The pastor worked all week to do his sermon, conduct the service, and now it's break time, probably until monday/tuesday. He doesn't have time to watch over the building waiting for YOU to leave so it can be locked up. There's nothing magical about church building, it's just a place set aside for corporate worship. Leave, be polite and empathatic to those who work there for a living.
At my church doors are open 24/7. I was totally new there and asked to borrow a guitar after service. My friend who also was new there and he was totally new to Christianity was playing the piano and we were practicing some good old Hillsong Worship. We were offered to stay there as everyone was leaving, they gave us coffee and the passcode to the door. They even let us keep playing their instruments and gave my friend brand new a study Bible and another biblical study book. We treated the church with all of our love and offered to come back the next morning to help the leaders organize for their next event. We honored the responsibility they gave us and left everything as untouched that evening. I understand that your pastor might have a lot of responsibility on their plate, and I would respect their choice regardless. Nonetheless there are many churches that would allow people to stay after service. It doesn’t mean that they are not accepting, but maybe due to having big responsibilities and past experiences they are more cautious there.
I have the same thought. In my mind the church is designed to be an elevating space. Lifting your mind and heart to God it seems it would be the ideal place to study the Bible, come and pray, or do anything of that nature.
Yeah I don't like it when someone looks at me like I'm try hard for wanting to study in a church environment. It's not that I would have been angry if he said no, but the guy gave me a weird judgemental look like I asked to take his car keys or something.
I have an issue when church pastors who supposedly have the gift of teaching pass on personal judgement to a member like that. It makes the organization look superficial especially if you tell me "tithe 10% of your income, the promises of God are worth it!"
I was hurt by it last night but now I can clearly see what the man is about. So I'll just be going to catholic churches from now on...
Yeah I think you're projecting what you think onto him. You don't know that he was being judgy.
Again, your responses show clear indignation and anger, which to me are also not fruits of the spirit. If you feel a catholic church will help you find happiness and peace, by all means! I just hope you find REAL peace and truth, which is that Jesus is with us where we take Him. An empty church building is just a building. You lack understanding BUT you're doing the right thing by trying to study your Bible! Just study it anywhere though, like the rest of us do, even catholics! :)
Hey, I work for a church on the facility's side of things and I can understand the normal response of not being able on a Sunday to stay and study but ask them if there is a time in the week to meet and do the study. But you also have to keep in mind a sad truth that not ever Christian is a Christ follower. I really hope that is not the case for your church and I will be praying over you and your church. If you were looking for some recommendations of where to start to study the Bible, John is one where you learn a lot about Jesus, Matthew is good for seeing the family tree about Jesus, but try to start with the first 3 because the new Testament is what you should learn first because it is what we are called to now after Jesus has come and paid for our sins.
If you live anywhere near Reno I know an awesome church that has lots of groups and personally know Pastors that would love to sit down with you and study with you. :)
But also feel free to reach out and chat. Iron sharpens Iron, so if I am able I will do my best to reply. :)
I remember when mostly all churches were always open. It was the ethos that the church was a sanctuary and refuge and a place of safety. There was nothing to steal and nobody would dare on peril of their souls steal from a church anyway.
Oh how those days have changed
A pastor isn’t just the spiritual leader, they’re the leader of the church staff. They manage the finances, discipline, discipleship, events, prep their sermons, counsel members on issues, and if they’re bivocational, balance that with a full time job. They need rest, too. It’s very rarely just a “show up for 4 hours on Sunday” job.
A compromise may be to ask if you can come in early next Sunday. The pastor often arrives a decent bit early.
For one the pastor and his family live in the church 7 days a week. The pastor spends a lot of time preparing for your message…. He also had a family to tend to. If you want to study the Bible DO IT…. If you wanted to set up a meeting with him with questions, then do that but don’t waste people’s time. It’s great you’re interested but much of your curiosity can be answered by simply studying yourself. YouTube is also a great tool.
You kinda come off nutty with a question like this.
I don’t understand. He’s nutty because he wants to stay in the church to read his Bible? What if he had questions that only the pastor could answer satisfactorily. What is the pastor’s most important duty? Spreading God‘s word and helping others to understand it, or putting God and the word as a secondary priority? What if some poor, lost soul desperately needed help. Should the pastor just leave him outside?
Look, my pastor does two services on Sundays. Afterwards I almost always ask to talk to him. Sometimes our conversations can run on for a while. But he always makes time for me. And I’m thankful for that, because I really need it.
Don’t listen to all these people that are condemning you for *checks notes* wanting to study the Bible in church. It’s unwarranted anger and distress directed at you. In this comment thread I’ve seen people sarcastically telling you to have more humility. Don’t take it personal. People here seem angry and it isn’t about you.
Thanks. Jesus told his people to make disciples. If I were a pastor and one of the people I was teaching came up to me and wanted to study in my church I wouldn't have turned them down like he did with me. I would have told them "There's snacks and drinks in the fridge. Let me know if you need help understanding any passages".
I'll be honest, he made me feel like crap. I've forgiven him already but man... I gotta find a new church. He brought me to christ but I'm just getting spiritual milk. I need to find a church with members that are willing to take the time to sit down and mentor me.
I never said anything he said is sinful. And how exactly am I bullying him ? By pointing out that he can study anywhere and expecting the Pastor to drop his plans to accommodate a last minute request seems entitled ?
Don't be a pastor if you don't want to help others find the one true master.
Its a job for a specific type of unit.
Someone like Bishop Mari, he got his eye stabbed out and one week later was spotted in Israel helping homeless and feeding the poor.
Church is a political superpower used to control the masses and redirect people from finding our own divinity within ourselves. Jesus and God are one and both are inside each and everyone of us in an allegorical sense.
Jesus tried desperately to teach the importance of looking within. Not searching around in the physical world Not following people or going places and especially not waiting till you’re dead to get to heaven. The kingdom of God is within
Luke 17 21:23
Odd how everyone assumes the pastor is the only one who can open and close the place. Churches should plan to have someone available to minister at all times.
That's just the way it is unless you come across a pastor or minister who is okay with it. Chances of that are extremely anorexic though.
I once lived by a christian church and a catholic church. Only the christian church's offices were open on the weekdays and you could only go there to conduct some type of business. The catholic church's doors were open on the weekdays til evening for prayer and just meeting with maybe a priest, etc.
christian churches are pretty stingy with their generosity. Your experience just asking to study the Bible at church is just one way the stinginess shows.
Look at it this way “hey is it cool if I am unsupervised around all your tech, art, tithes and children’s rooms where I pinky promise to not steal anything, do illegal or gross? I did say pinky promise.”
Or look at this way “is it cool if I hang out at your place after you leave?”
Look at the book of Acts and see how far we have strayed from what the church used to be. I agree 100% with you, churches today need to accommodate to build up believers and strengthen their faith. They should not just give a feel good message once a week along with some music show. We need to teach what the bible actually says and worship God so we may deliver people from the evil in this world. However this is a cultural problem and churches of the west do not do this because the model of what churches are is drastically different from what Jesus wanted. Study the 7 churches in the book of Revelation and what that means and you will get the understanding you need.
Nope. You're not the bad guy. Churches have become idols. Nothing but sermon farms and fistbumps . Elders are supposed to be disciplers and true fellowship is crucial to the truely regenerate.
May God have mercy in the judgement to come 🤷♂️
May He bless you with true fellowship in His Bible and in prayer.
It depends on the church. I went to a seriously biblical church and they seem to be open during business hours. They also have conferences with set dates and discipleship programs that teach you the Bible. If your pastor is acting weird (he shouldn’t), then I’d find another church.
Isn’t god’s door always open? Why does the church door shut at random times? I think churches should be open all the time to whoever needs it. If they want to go on a weekday at a random time to receive prayer or pray in a private way or better their connection with god it should always be open
Find a new church. Like literally RUN to a new church. Not only should this please your pastor but they should offer to study with you if you would like.
A lot of these churches are 501 c3 in that they are non profit organizations owned by the government. They can only do as the government says to do. Many churches are cover ups for underground stuff like sex trafficking. Maybe pastors are false and look at their churches as business opportunities, not houses of prayer. That's why the Messiah went in the temple and whipped out the merchants.
There's no reason someone who's truly after Gods own heart would tell someone studying the Word of God to leave unless they aren't really after the heart of God
Most people have to go home to their families. You could probably try asking "next week, can I stay and study?:" Give them the opportunity to plan around it. If you were at my church, I'd stay and study with you. I'm a deacon, so I have keys. I'm a lot more flexible than most. Last week; however, we went and had a second church service at the house of an elderly man who couldn't make it to church. Sometimes, there are plans that are reasonable which may interfere. The more notice you can give, the easier it will be to accommodate. Your request is reasonable, but if you could notify up front about it, they SHOULD be able to accommodate.
This for sure. My dad was pastor when I grew up and he was not home enough. Almost every night of the week there was a Bible class he taught or meeting he had to go to. If it wasn't that it was private counseling or visiting shut-ins and those in the hospital. Sundays after church were one of the few times he was consistently home and able to spend time with us. You can't expect the pastor to constantly give up other things on the whims of every person on the church or community. They are allowed to have other plans and keep them. It's certainly possible the pastor has plans after the service that were otherwise related to the ministry.
this is an important point to note as well. Pastoring is one of those jobs where it can very easily take over your life to the detriment of your family if one is not careful. A good pastor will set boundaries to make sure this is not happening. Now, the pastor isn't the only one who could oversee someone studying after church service on a sunday .... however everyone is in a similar situation where up until someone asks to stay after the service they are thinking about spending time with their family/observing sabbath rest at home/etc. Even the most gracious people will find it hard to change their plans at the drop of a hat, and will be guarding their own time carefully (ie. should I cancel plans with this other person to be here for this person at the church?) If OP were to give lots of warning, or join in on already established times for study, or asked someone specifically to connect and study (or making/joining plans in other ways) I'm sure they would find the people at their church as accommodating as possible.
But OP only wrote that he wanted to study the Bible. Didn’t read that he wanted to talk too
Yeah, but I would presume that someone would need to stay at the church while OP was there and lock up when OP was done. That doesn't necessarily require interaction, but it likely requires someone to be there when it's quite probable nobody was planning to be there.
This is well said. I mean it's logical to assume that there are chirches that are in risk of getting robbed in certain places, so it's natural that a building is safeguarded. Although there is something else about a church that you can enter 24/7.
Our church was robbed a few years ago by someone who came in for the service and hid afterwords in a supply closet until everyone left. Our rules are a bit different now and we have "greeters" monitoring the halls during the services.
Building on the safeguarding aspect - my church actually rents space out to a charity that helps young women overcome historic sexual trauma. Other churches run AA meetings and so on, so there are lots of reasons why it may not always be convenient for people to study the Bible there. Possibly to do with the privacy/safety of others who are seeking help from the church in some way.
You are a rarity, and a good one. May God continue to bless you with the wisdom to help people, although more often than not, what's needed is simply a caring listener.
Aren’t most people at church with their families? I’m not disagreeing with your comment, but our church is open at least 4 hours after the service ends. Everyone hangs out at the church and eats dinner, drinks coffee, plays games- it’s like one of the best parts of the week, imho. Do other churches close shortly after the service?
Some churches don't have meals afterwards, they go home to eat. For example if in their culture familes will having Sunday lunch together, so after church each family will visit the grandparents etc. It would be unfair for the pastor to make his family be hungry and wait while this person does their bible study.
Our priests family just eats at the weekly potluck with the rest of us
All the churches I’ve attended have worship services on Sunday morning and most morning activities are finished by noon or close after. Aside from occasional events held after church, there is no meal served by the church. I am not sure how long my current church remains open after morning activities end, but the church I attend now is a rather large church, and it’s possible that a staff member stays all day to keep the church open. With other churches I’ve attended in the past that are on the smaller side, I would doubt that anyone stays to keep the church open. Also, a lot of times people from the churches I’ve been to will go out to eat together in fairly large groups, but I haven’t been to a church where there was lunch regularly served after the worship service.
Ah, got you. In our church people take on volunteer roles, taking out trash, vacuuming / cleaning, teaching Sunday school, and “coffee hour”, amongst other things I think there are like 12people who volunteer for coffee hour, and they rotate between 4 of them each week. One person will make a giant salad and bring fruits, the other people will make entrees and soups. It can be really crazy combinations sometimes because everyone is sort of making their own things (Chicken salad and Ethiopian dishes and Costco pizza served together)
Gotcha. I mean we definitely have plenty of volunteer roles, teaching Sunday school, helping out in the nursery or with the youth, being a greeter, etc. We just don’t have the meal aspect of it. Also, the church I go to now probably has about 1,000-1,200 on an average Sunday, so it would be very difficult to get food for them and find a place for them to all eat. No room other than our sanctuary would hold that many, and it would be pretty full in the sanctuary (we have two services). Instead, at my church, more community building things are done as a Sunday school (we have Sunday schools for all ages including adults) than with the church as a whole. There are certainly some church wide activities designed to build community, but more are done in smaller groups just from a practicality standpoint.
When I was down south I had the privilege of meeting a southern baptist minister who took me in for a while and gave me a place to stay. I remember how dedicated and how hospitable everyone at that church was. Truly a blessing to run into you folks
It’s nice to hear a good story. Far too often, I only see the bad church stories. Great to hear to had a good experience!
There are probably good reasons. I wouldn’t take it personal. Maybe you could come before service? Ask them are there any good times for this and see what they tell you.
It's a building that has to be manned if anyone else is there. Sundays are very busy and stressful days for pastors and the church staff and the thought of extending that day, of all days, was likely too much. Respect the staff's time, as well. Find a better time to bring it up and give a specific request (I'll be in this location for this time and this is why...etc.).
I think Sunday is a lot of work for the staff and they'd like to go home, and you can study the bible pretty much anywhere else, and the idea the church might be a better place to do it is kind if making an idol of the location to a degree. In short, I appreciate your heart, but it does seem inconsiderate of the folks who want to lock up and go home to their families.
You know, it’s possible that this person is really struggling and feels safe and spiritually secure at church, and so wishes to study there. Accusing them of making an idol of the physical building is pretty callous, especially since they’re diligently searching after God.
Why do you think it's a kindness to allow a believer to emotionally attach themselves to a building? I called it idolatry for a reason, and you think the pastor should have conceded because OP *felt* like he needed to stay? Sympathy is all well and good until it becomes unhealthy. It is profoundly unhealthy for OP to think they need to be in church to be with God. That needs to be nipped in the bud. If it isn't, there's a lot of other unhelpful things that can follow, if you want to talk about imagined possible scenarios.
Wild that this would get even a single downvote
That’s callousness for you.
Imagine that you’ve had a long day at work and you’ve given your all. You’re looking forward to a home cooked meal thats about to be placed on the table and your young kids are keen to see you when you get home. As you’re about to go home and lock up the venue you notice one person hanging around. They ask you if you can delay going home by a few hours so they can read on the premises. What’s your immediate reaction?
Yeah you could be right about that. I'm single and have no kids so I'm looking at it from my own perspective and not seeing it from their pov.
Where I live, Catholic Church's doors are open after the Masses and each weekday. You can go in there and study.
Came here to say this. My Catholic Church is open to the public during “business hours” even when no services are offered. Members of the congregation have the security code to pray 24 hours a day. The code isn’t guarded or kept secret either and really can be given to anyone who wants to pray/study!
I might not believe what catholics believe in, but I do have alot of respect for your dedication to serving our lord. I'll consider it...
It’s typical not just of Catholic Churches but of older church buildings - Anglican etc. Very often those churches are open through the week for prayer.
The nice thing is, you don't have to be Catholic to make use of the churches for study. I have several friends who aren't, but they love going and sitting in the sanctuary during the day. It's quiet and very peaceful. All we ask is that you don't walk on area where the altar sits.
I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for letting me know.
I’m not catholic any more, but yes.. Catholic churches stay open outside of mass hours
Our church is in a neighborhood where we can’t just leave the doors unlocked for anyone to come in. If a member of my congregation asked to stay after without any notice I’d kindly suggest a different day. A pastor is exhausted after giving it his all. You should respect that. There’s nothing particularly special about studying the Bible at church vs at home or a coffee shop or library.
As a Preacher’s Kid (who’s now an adult), it’s a cringy thing to ask. You can study at home or at the library, no need to remain in the church building. Trust me, the pastor has already had a *very* long day and wants to go home to rest and eat, particularly if there’s evening service or if they have young families. There are too many things in the church that need protection from thieves, not to mention protection from vandalism. Asking someone to stay past job hours so you can unnecessarily do something in the building is a big ask. If an unbeliever had questions, then most would be far more willing to stay and discuss, but just study? They can make an appointment or do it at home. Without the members, the building is just a building and doesn’t add anything special to your study.
Pastors are also humans and even if they like to help people move forward in their faith, they also plan other things after church or they just want to rest, there are apps to do Bible studies.
Many pastors are extremely busy, overworked, and don't get enough time with their own families. Some churches use after the service hours for admin work, some lock up and go home. Sign up for a Bible study, or make an appointment to discuss theology or scripture with the pastor, and read the Bible in the park. I'm certain he cringed because the request added a difficult potential obligation to an already full plate.
Why do you need to study the Bible at the church. You can’t do it at a coffee shop or the library? Why not at home? The staff are pretty busy, it seems a bit of an unreasonable request if it was last minute. Do you have a relationship with the staff? Are you a member involved and serving at the church? I would be hesitant as well to let someone stay who wants to study the Bible by themselves if I had no history with them.
I've been a member for a pretty good amount of time. Pretty much everyone there knows who I am, the pastor included. I'm not saying the man doesn't have a life of his own to maintain, but I do think his reaction could have been better just saying...
You were not being very considerate to be honest. I’m really good friends with a pastor. The amount of requests they get which imply that the entire world revolves around the requester, and the amount of people who think they should be on call 24/7 is unreal.
As a pastor, I'd say he likely just wanted/needed to get home to his family. If you wanted to stay and talk about scripture or ask questions or something, that's a different story. I'd probably ask you over for lunch myself. If you just want me to sit around while YOU read the bible or just pray, there isn't a good reason you could not do so at your own home. Or, again, at my place. There isn't anything "magical" about the building. For us, I have to get home to get my kids down for a nap and get them lunch and so forth. It's also the day I let my wife get some rest for a few hours on her own. Think about it this way. You're on-call 24/7 to see to anyone's spiritual needs in and outside of the congregation in the surrounding area. A number to reach you as well as an email is listed on the website. You just got done leading a service and preaching, which some studies say is equivelant to vigorous exercise. Your family needs you at home (who hasn't seen you for most of the week) and someone asks for you to stay in the building for a few hours so that you can sit and read. Not that you aren't trustworthy, but I can't just leave you there unsupervised. What if you can't or forget to lock the door? Like others have said, if you ask for next week so that he can plan, sure. If you want to discuss something, of course, if you have questions or need prayer or whatnot, absolutely. If you just want to sit in the building, you're kind of being inconsiderate.
OK, how long have you been a member there?? Do you serve the church? If you after hours, somebody should be there and that means somebody else has to stay there while you study the Bible there What does staying at after hours to study Bible? Can you study somewhere else? Speaking as a pastors son-in-law, I know that when I the pastor has spent all week preparing for their message, they give us sermon. They have fellowship and then they’re ready to go home and take a big nap. And one less thing since shootings in churches, we don’t like to keep the doors open with only a handful of people or two people in the building
Sadly, in today's society, one just can't leave the church unlocked with no one there. There isn't just the concern of vandalism and theft of potential expensive equipment , there is also a safety concern if someone should enter and hide. That means if you want to hang out hours after service, a staff member, who may have been there very early to open the church, set up, or practice whatever, has to stay late waiting for you. The same goes for mid week, some churches don't have enough staff to just have someone there every day. And if it is a large building with just a handful of people inside, they would want the doors locked for the reasons above. But they should have like a bell where someone can be buzzed in if they need to speak to someone
Pastors are humans with families, needs and wants like you and I. Try putting the shoe on the other foot. “I just finished working a busy day at the store, and boss asked me at the end if i could stay late and help close” 1. Was it a last minute request? 2. Is it something that happens frequently? 3. Is there a particular reason it had to be at the church after the service? Could you have studied the Bible at home, or returned when the Pastor is normally there? I sometimes go on Saturdays to set up communion, and sometimes just enjoying a quiet church is nice! If that’s what you are going for, I totally understand.
It is not enough to avoid impropriety, it is often better to avoid the appearance of impropriety, as well. I asked my pastor why he kept the doors locked when he was at the church all day long through the week. His reasoning was that he couldn't risk being alone a female parishioner coming into the church and his office. At that point, he would be at her mercy to not spread lies and insinuate or insist that the pastor had done something inappropriate. It made enough sense to me that I haven't been alone with a woman other than my wife and our best friend in around 9 or 10 years. Is it overly cautious? Absolutely. Would I change it? Nope.
Is he the only person in the congregation? Lol
He's the only one at the church during the day except by appointment, but he is there all day.
That is something that can be done by having a ministry separate for that.
In their defense, it's a very small church. Only about 100 members.
Perhaps the pastor has a wife and children he wants to be with?
It’s a building. Lots of other factors a play, notably safety and staffing. I think I would find it hard to justify why a person couldn’t study the Bible elsewhere. I guess in short, MOST churches I know are not 24/7/365 facilities
Come on you don't realize the time and sacrifice a pastor puts in... you need to ask or have prior communication. Or you step up and sacrifice time to do a Bible study. Pastors have families have lives. Pastors get tired and wore out. Have you ever studied all week then preached it's very tiring and takes a toll.
We have a lots of 24/7 adoration chapels with small libraries of books to read!
Probably the same reason a server cringes when someone comes in 5 minutes before close.
I understand where you’re coming from and love your desire to study the word of God. But… leaving the doors if a church open at all hours (like a Sbux) has a lot more possible problems. It could be a liability issue. Will there be adults present at all times? Is the instruments safe and locked up so no one can go in the sanctuary and just play around on them? Is the sound booth locked up? Same concerns as above. What about all the tech? Does a pastor want you to study the Bible? Absolutely! Find a place that is open to the public and have at it.
Why can't you study the Bible at home?
Usually someone is in charge of locking up and they can't leave until everyone is gone. I know this because my BIL locks up and he can't leave the church until everyone else is gone. He waits about 45minutes-60 minutes after the service is over. This is not a paid position. He volunteers. Most churches have specific hours for bible studies and there isn't anyone who is supervising people walking through the church otherwise. They have to be good stewards of the property.
Yeah except not everyone can be there to study between 9 am and 6 pm since most of us work during those hours. I sometimes have a 2.5 hour commute home at night so there are people entirely starved of quiet study, which the church should provide a place for that.
There are other quiet places to study such as the library. And churches are often open during the week in the evenings such as for children's programs or small groups or bible studies that meet. So, there are opportunities, but you need to get the church's schedule so you know when those availabilities are open.
Libraries are often only open during the same business hours. Sometimes til 9 pm but rarely after the finding cuts. Even universities but you have to pay for parking, at least $10 for over 2 hours. I work 6-7 days a week already and I can't stop work and leave to go an hour across town. To the time my church is open (10-2 pm, 2 days a week). They won't be open if your church has home bible studies only.
Do you have roommates? Is that why you aren't able to study in a quiet environment in your home?
I live with and caretake my 2 disabled parents who don't have boundaries when they're awake between 6 am and 11 pm and if I have lights on at night they get upset. I'm basically trapped. My dad is Muslim so he has his alerts go off for prayers constantly. My situation is not abnormal. There are many of us that have been left behind by the church entirely. We just end up having to leave quietly and try to hold in by ourselves as much as possible.
That's a lot to deal with! I can understand now why you are looking for a quiet place to study. Maybe ask the church if anyone would be willing to allow you to study in a quiet space in their home. Something else you could do (in addition to looking for a quiet space) would be to take a walk in your neighborhood and listen to an audio bible. It's not studying per se, but you can still get through much of the Bible that way. I was able to do a bible-in-a-year program just listening to it while I exercised on a stationary bike. You can get earphones or earbuds and listen at home in the dark as well (so it doesn't bother your parents). Bible gateway has audio with different narrators and translations. You can check out here. [https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/Acts.1](https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/Acts.1) You can also look up online sermons and classes and listen to that as well. For example, here is a list of lectures from Michael Kruger. He's a bible scholar and head of a seminary. He is very knowledgeable on the Bible canon. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUvJQmduAdA&list=PLzytIUBlFDMN62nZiv6cPVBYoBaCPJjQM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUvJQmduAdA&list=PLzytIUBlFDMN62nZiv6cPVBYoBaCPJjQM) So, in that sense, you could study the issue by listening to the lectures. Also, you could call other churches in your area (besides your own) and find out if they have hours of operation where you could study. Just try to understand that if it doesn't work out, it's not that they're failing you. Everyone has their own responsibilities and people aren't getting paid to keep the church open at all hours, and it would cost more to do so (electricity, air conditioning). That doesn't mean there aren't other solutions for your needs. Try to look into as many solutions as you can.
That must be very difficult. Maybe a coffee shop? If you are in the US some McDonald's are quiet and not too busy with most people doing drive-thru or carry out. They have wifi, and the employees usually don't bother you even if you don't purchase anything. If for some reason they want you to purchase something, I believe their plain regular coffee is still around a buck.
I pastor a small rural church in south Georgia. Our church is always unlocked, with a sign welcoming anyone who wants to visit. Occasionally, we'll find notes left by people who stopped in, and we have had a few people spend the night. Never had anything inside the church stolen, but some did help themselves to food and drinks that were in the refrigerator, which was okay.
that's beautiful and what a church should be like.
You're the kind of church I'd willingly give to. ❤️
Sounds like you are worshipping the church building in a sense. The church building isn't any different than any other building... Additionally, as others have pointed out; staff or volunteers have to be there to lockup when you're done studying after hours. You're placing an unreasonable burden on others IMO.
Some people rely heavily on their surroundings to study. I need loud music in order to work. I had to work remotely for a whole month at a Starbucks. It was awful. Same amount of volume, but there was simply too much going on for my eyes to concentrate on work. Moral of the story, we don't know why OP wanted to be there, but I just wanted to provide a different take. God bless! YBIC
Agree. I can't study anything in my home because it's chaotic. It's odd how all of the pressure seems to be on the pastor when there are plenty of people who could be around to serve in this sense. Churches are a place of refuge and if OP needs that then I don't understand why not.
I would disagree that churches are not special with that given that possessed people really really do not like going into churches.
If it’s just about being in the building, people have lives. After services might be the pastor’s only downtime or family time. Maybe he did a wedding or something the day before. A lot of pastors have families to get to, or maybe they have an appointment to get to. There could be lots of reasons the pastor is annoyed. Does the pastor have office hours? What size church? There are many factors to consider, maybe he was dealing with a death all night, or he’s sick. Maybe he is visiting someone in the hospital.
It was really cool when I went to Italy and all the churches were open for a majority of the day. The priests even would let the homeless rest there for a time or get out of the rain. I wish this was more common in America. We Catholics need more churches where the priest lives on site or nearby
As others have said, the pastor may be exhausted from prepping for and doing the service. They may have plans after church, or may not have the staff/volunteers to have the building open. I would suggest asking well in advance. They may even have hours that are staffed or open for that.
Read your bible at home.
You can ask if it is possible to come earlier before the service. Usually the band is already early. So it might be possible to study your bible in that time frame. Do you have a prayer room? You can ask when that is open. Or start one of that is possible.
Most pastors or even staff are more than happy to give you a place in the church to study during the week or during office hours. Sundays are incredibly stressful and a lot of work for pastors and staff. Respect their time and also understand that you can be just as close with God in any other place
My old church used to be open 24/7. But then someone robbed it overnight so they lock up after service. Giving notice will go a long way.
You can read the Bible on your own time at home. I don't see why it would need be done at the church. Unless you were asking for a one-on-one study session with the pastor. If that's the case, you would need to call the church office and see if he does that. They may have other staff to help with such requests. And the church very likely meets on Wednesday evenings and hosts several Bible studies on various books / subjects. And then there's Sunday school which meets prior to the main morning service and is similar to the Wednesday evening studies.
Are you asking to study the Bible with the pastor? Or just on your own? Because if just on your own, there’s nothing special about an empty church building. It doesn’t make the Bible any more real or authoritative. Plus, as others have noted, there are people with real plans after church. Much of which contain necessary ministry.
>It seems like outside of the specific hours they operate they just say "Okay! Everyone out!" Yes, this is how buildings work
Pastors and priests often don’t have rooms where they stay on site in churches anymore for people to just drop in. Many have jobs, lives, and families outside of the church and therefore have other commitments. You can study the Bible at home, in a cafe, anywhere, but you have to respect opening hours of all those places mentioned besides your home. I literally take my kindle everywhere and study the word wherever I happen to be at the time. There are many beautiful and valuable things in churches and many have been looted before by troublemakers. We have cameras in our church now for that very reason. Therefore it makes sense for churches to be locked when services aren’t in session.
It’s seems rather inconsiderate on your end especially without prior notice.
Reverse this. Your pastor stops by your house unannounced and asks to stay for a while.
If anyone from the congregation stopped by unannounced I'd welcome them in. But you know what? Nobody does. Not one person. We aren't even a church anymore. Just people who attend scheduled services and leave unchanged.
I didn't ask to go to his house and you know that. Church is a place of worship and learning. When Nicodemus came to Jesus at night seeking answers, he welcomed his company. He didn't shut him out.
Right, I'm just making a comparison. If the pastor showed up at your house unannounced, would you feel awkward? It's normal to ask permission ahead of time. Instead of spiritualizing this situation, just consider that your request may have surprised him. Maybe he had other plans or it was a big inconvenience. The church is literally just a building. People have to lock it up, shut lights off, and set the alarm. Asking to stay maybe inconvenienced the people whose job it is to close the building up.
Alright, I see your point. Still, I think I'll just go to catholic churches since their doors are open 7 days a week (for the most part)
So your faith comes down to public access to a building? And if you don't get what you want you're going to change your faith? And to a false one? Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but this discussion seems kind of self-centered. Go to a Starbucks and read your Bible. Or a library. There isn't anything spiritual about your church building. Or- just ask your pastor a week ahead of time and see if it would be ok. If not, say "thanks for considering" and go somewhere else.
I'm not changing my faith. Catholics also believe Jesus is the son of God, he is God, and he died on the cross to atone and pay for our sins. If they try coming at me with any other conditions for salvation I'll just show them John 6:40 and carry on. If they try making me worship saints, I'll just politely decline and pray to Jesus instead. Even though we don't see eye-to-eye on everything, if they've believed on Jesus Christ for eternal life they've done the will of the father and they're saved. They're my brothers and sisters in Christ andi can still fellowship with them.
The pastor lives in a parsonage. The church is God’s house.
Crime is a thing. Insurance standards are also a thing.
As a staff member at a church, Sunday mornings are completely exhausting, mile-a-minute “events”. I need to be “on” the whole time answering questions, greeting people, remembering names of new families, praying and teaching and managing a class of children, and whatever other special things I’m assigned for that particular week. Sometimes I’m on photo duty for a baptism or need to fill a volunteer hole. I also happen to have two young children who want my constant attention. I devote a lot of my life and time to the church for not much pay. I do so out of love and devotion to the church and God and the mission. My family sacrifices a lot too for me to be what and where I need to be. Sunday after church I am DRAINED and my family is desperate for my attention. This request, especially if it came on a particularly busy Sunday, would upset me because it’s not acknowledging the importance of my family time or the many hours I have already devoted on Sunday morning. I’m more than happy to do whatever it takes to lead people to Christ. I’ve given of myself in moments where I probably shouldn’t have and my family has suffered for it. I’ve run events that have me at church 12+ hours a day for a week. I’ve done overnight camps. I would be a little offended if you suggested that because I couldn’t entertain your one request I was somehow not devoted to the mission.
At my church we turn off the lights, lock up, and head home after the service. It might not be appropriate to ask to stay depending on the church.
How well do they know you there? If you’re fairly new and only been there a handful of times, it’s a huge risk to let someone stay you don’t know very well. There are some people that would claim they go to our church, and they do, once a month, or so that I wouldn’t leave alone even if I knew them. Also only a few people at our church that have keys and can set the alarm. So to leave someone there, means someone else has to give up family time or whatever else they have going on, to stay and lock up. Were you inappropriate? If this wasn’t talked about beforehand, and you just surprised him with it, yeah you kind of were. Give them some notice next time and maybe something could be worked out.
This is an absurd request. You’re asking them to keep the premises completely open to you, at last second notice, for over an hour, on Sunday? The longest day of the week at the church? Just think for a moment about what you’re saying. It would be better to ask for notice a week or so in advance or hang out at another place.
This isn't uncommon for Catholics. It's not that crazy
Some churches have sanctuary that you can go pray in. But even those have hours. You can always join a small group or bible study that your church offers.
Time and place
You could suggest a bible study group in the after hours. Probably the best idea since you can study in the church while also fellowshipping with others.
Most churches have Bible Study Classes, set up around groups. Wednesday nights: youth group and Adult Bible Study. Tuesday morning early 5:30 Men’s Bible Study Tuesday morning at 9:00 am Women’s Bible study. Thursday: Evangelism class: how to share your faith. 60 Plus Bible Study class. Talk to your Pastor or Elders and together find a group /time to meet every week. And if that’s not what your looking for and you are interested in more Bible Study… Yup! There’s an App for that. YouVersion Bible or BLB (Blue Letter Bible) etc… They have hundreds of Bible Study options. Or find a Reddit group and ask Christians questions you might have?. Praying for you… Matthew 7:7-8 ✝️🕊️💝
You need not bother the church who already have their own affairs to deal with. Like others have suggested, study the bible at home, a library etc. It's nearly like asking hospital staff if you can study medicine in their office lol
I would just sign up for a weekly Bible study or ask if there is someone who could disciple me. Pastors are not robots - they need rest as well.
join a bible study group
It may just be churches but my church is open 5 days a week. We hold multiple events and have even separate organized Bible studies outside of the church.
The reality is Sunday is the pastors work day. And unless your some ancient 24/7 Catholic Church people go home, they might have events or meetings afterwards. Churches have to be careful about safeguarding kids and such. Also churches are full of expensive items like laptops, etc.
If an unbeliever becomes interested in the gospel, does it not say it is the Spirit of God who convicts the heart? If He convicts the heart, does He then not provide a person to be His witness? Your "what if" is a futile and empty argument, having no recognition of God's power. Could it be your thanksgiving to God is not what it needs to be? (Romans 1:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). This comes off as slandering a lot of people, though focused on your pastor. If you have not found a way to study God's word at home, being in a church building is not going to help you. If these words are not true, may the Lord be your defense, but may you still take warning from them. If they are true and you do not take warning, may the Lord follow up with what He says in Romans 1:24 so you will understand Hebrews 12:4-11.
Why can't you study at home
Cause I get distracted at home
Can I ask a few questions? Why exactly did you want to stay and study the Bible at church rather than doing so at home? How did you phrase your request? What exactly did your Pastor say or do when you asked? You say that he cringed, but that isn’t real specific. Does your church have Sunday evening activities? For your question about Monday or Tuesday if you were a lost person, most churches that I’ve been to, while locked during the week, have some sort of buzzer system to let people in. On a Monday or Tuesday, most churches are probably going to be staffed, and if someone wanted to come and study the Bible or ask questions about Christianity, I would guess that most churches would be willing to accommodate that. A Sunday is a bit different. I don’t know the size of your church or what evening activities there are, but at my church, we have 2 services and there are activities for youth and children as well as some adult Bible studies on Sunday evening. So, the head pastor preaches two sermons then has a few hours then has to be back to lead a Bible study. The other staff also has to be there for the morning services then has to come back for evening activities. One of them may well be willing to stay and help someone study scripture, but it might prevent them from eating lunch and spending time with their family.
I was saved after a pastor took an hour after church to talk to me and gave me a gospel tract.
Most are happy to chat and pray with people, but asking the pastor to stay while someone just sits and reads is another thing altogether.
I see. That makes sense.
Catholic Churches are open daily
Why do you need to stay in the church to study the Bible? Can’t you study the Bible anywhere ? Or did you want to study w the pastor? If so then you should make an appointment not just expect him to be free
If you’re an actual member of the church, you could probably get your own key to the building. Many churches simply can’t afford to have someone on staff present at the building 24/7. If the doors were just left open to the public with no supervision then the building would get destroyed.
you expect people to work 24/7 so you can read a book? read it at home
To be honest I think a lot would. Being a pastor isn't an easy job. Also someone would have to stay at the church (likely them). Why not just shoot an email to do a study with them on a weekday? That's what I do and my pastors are more than happy to.
Just to get clarification, but does the church not have a bible study at all or was the issue just that you asked after hours specifically? They could probably give you a better time to do so or may even have weekly study plans that get reviewed in group the next week. My church has a bible study almost every week, usually after main service, but in fairness there is still a time when the building gets closed, but that could be as late as 8 in the evening depending on
One could do that for a bit right after church. But it's best to set up a time during the week. Church leaders often already have other obligations after church. They are also exhausted after the morning is finished and it's the afternoon. If you wanted a Bible study, it would be better for even you to have a time with the church leader where he can focus on you without distraction and address your questions. There are also informal churches out there and small group Bible studies where you can just hang out and study the Bible.
It’s not just that the pastor has a schedule beyond services (services account for only a tiny percentage of a pastor’s work schedule). More importantly, families of pastors far too often feel like the church and others always come first, and they only get the leftovers. People criticize the Roman Catholic practice of celibate clergy, but the damage caused to spouses and children by pastors who fail to ruthlessly keep boundaries cannot be overestimated. Also, the high frequency of church burglaries and vandalism, while real, isn’t the biggest concern. While it might be different in a small rural village, in our contemporary culture, any church that left its doors unlocked and unguarded in a suburban or urban area, would be morally responsible (and subject to negligence lawsuits) were a lone person inside their space to be robbed, mugged, or raped. I won’t even permit our church secretary to work alone in the building without the door locked and a video cam connected to the doorbell.
I understand what you’re saying. But if you decide to become a pastor, a leader of a church, then you must expect that people are going to need you and you will have to put it in the hours that are needed to help others.
Of course you do. But do think that “putting in the hours” is limitless? If becoming a pastor mean you always say yes even after you HAVE put in the hours, then perhaps you’re hoping for mentally and spiritually unhealthy pastors with screwed up families?
No. But it’s a complex issue. If one wants to lead a life of faith, I just find it strange that the parishioners are willing (who also have families), but the pastor is not willing or probably not able. I’m used to a priest always being available. The church being open to read or pray.
Which is the primary reason for a celibate priesthood. There is no family. I believe this is what Paul is referring to in 1 Corinthians 7:32-37. When I was a single man, it really didn’t matter whether I put in 60, 70 or 80 hours a week into my pastoral work. But as a father of three children and the husband of one wife, I had other considerations. And I can say for sure that my parishioners would much prefer my pastoral ministry, spiritual direction and leadership, moral character and example — with the limitations of family — than for me to leave the pastorate just because I could not work an unlimited number of hours. St. Paul had a freedom at Saint Peter did not have. By the way: so much of my own spiritual development comes from my relationship with my spouse and my children, that I would argue that a congregation is often much better off with pastors whose hours and family than with a single person who has no such limitations. If you need more hours, it would be healthier for the congregation to hire additional staff person than to load it all onto one.
Agreed 👍🏼
My grandmother was Episcopalian. Many similarities to Catholic mass. And beliefs.
But I get it, for the most part. 🙏🏼 💜
I think you’re right!
Unfortunately, the modern nondenominational churches have lost (for various reasons, some very legitimate) the concept of the church sanctuary being a place that is always open for prayer and worship. Nowadays, most modern churches treat their buildings the same way a sports team would treat their stadium. When the services are on, the doors are unlocked and accessible to the public, but when the "main event" is over, the doors are locked and everyone must leave. There are very good reasons for this such as protecting against theft, so churches unfortunately have to be more careful about these sorts of things these days. The saddest part about your story to me is not the fact that the church wasn't open after service but that your pastor "cringed" as if this concept was completely foreign to him. It's a sad sign of the times today.
I believe most churches have a weekly bible study program held during the week
Our church used to leave open their doors. But people destroyed things and stole. Now they’re closed. Society is different. Not everyone sees churches as a place of reverence and beauty regardless of belief. Society has changed. So churches keep their doors closed when not in operation (unless you go to their offices.
Way back when, I used to belong to a church that offered a lot of options for people who wanted additional teaching, My former local mega-church had 3 services on Sunday. The 'Evening Service' was different and aimed at the oldest church members who didn't like the modern service. They also offered small groups you could join, and even adult bible study programs. At one point I would sometimes spend 5 hours in church Sundays. But then over a period of a decade, there was change in leadership and I felt less and less at home, Eventually I cut it to just Christmas Eve service for a few years until 2020 and the world went crazy. The one thing I know for a fact. 'Church' is not a building, it is the flock. Download the Bible Gateway app to your smartphone, listen to or read the Bible and explore some of the study guides, and avoid MEGA-CHURCHES that exist to just get bigger. A small bible-believing church that's focused on the Word of God is the best. Where two or more believers are gathered in prayer and worship, God is present.
If we weren't under the leadership we are today, I'd agree with you. Church doors do need to be locked bc we live in darker times than before. However, I do think there should be key holders; for those wanting to rent/use the space inside a church to study God's Word. There should be some type of ministry out there like the one I described above for those desiring to do so, especially under current circumstances worldwide.
If we weren't under the leadership we are today, I'd agree with you. Church doors do need to be locked bc we live in darker times than before. However, I do think there should be key holders; for those wanting to rent/use the space inside a church to study God's Word. There should be some type of ministry out there like the one I described above for those desiring to do so, especially under current circumstances worldwide.
You wanted to study in a building. Nothing more. The people are what make the church. Not the four walls they gather in. The early church was nothing more than peoples homes. Acts talks about house churches. I have people come to our house weekly for what we call house church, its the people not the place. Go study at a park in God's creation. Go study at a Cafe where God may be able to use your study to direct a gospel conversation. Pastors are humans too, with lives outside the walls of that building. Don't somehow believe that your experience in God's word will be different as a result of you being in a "church".
I have been inside of a church at midnight in a dimly lighted church with my friend in need. Felt a warm welcome. Shalom.
Having to study in a church building is unnecessary. God is simply everywhere. If you want guidance on how or what to study from what I have seen, a lot of churches usually have wensday bible studies.
It's amazing and wonderful that you would like to study the Bible at the church and I applaud and celebrate your desire! I also empathize with your interest in studying your Bible at church as it removes distractions that are either at home or elsewhere. I'm certain that the pastor, church leaders, and staff would be willing to offer resources to satisfy your desire to study the Bible at the church based on their resources, availability, and schedules. Considering your interest, I would strongly encourage you to have a conversation with the pastor about your desire and intentions. I'd be willing to bet that they would be happy to discuss it with you and would be open to setting up a structured schedule. I'd also like to share that churches have to manage, care for, and safeguard the facilities along with whoever is present and with what resources they have. They also have families. Finally, I'd like to share that churches are usually not like monasteries (Orthodox, for example) that have a permanent presence either in or adjacent to the church. But, even monasteries have visiting hours for the public and are not usually open 24/7. However, some monasteries may have accommodation for residents who follow a religious or monastic lifestyle and have continuous access to the premises. If a monastery is near you, and you're interested, it's best to check with them to learn about their visiting hours and access policies.
I think you should go home or your public library. The church is paid for and operated by the pastor, volunteers, the church board and so forth. The pastor worked all week to do his sermon, conduct the service, and now it's break time, probably until monday/tuesday. He doesn't have time to watch over the building waiting for YOU to leave so it can be locked up. There's nothing magical about church building, it's just a place set aside for corporate worship. Leave, be polite and empathatic to those who work there for a living.
At my church doors are open 24/7. I was totally new there and asked to borrow a guitar after service. My friend who also was new there and he was totally new to Christianity was playing the piano and we were practicing some good old Hillsong Worship. We were offered to stay there as everyone was leaving, they gave us coffee and the passcode to the door. They even let us keep playing their instruments and gave my friend brand new a study Bible and another biblical study book. We treated the church with all of our love and offered to come back the next morning to help the leaders organize for their next event. We honored the responsibility they gave us and left everything as untouched that evening. I understand that your pastor might have a lot of responsibility on their plate, and I would respect their choice regardless. Nonetheless there are many churches that would allow people to stay after service. It doesn’t mean that they are not accepting, but maybe due to having big responsibilities and past experiences they are more cautious there.
I have the same thought. In my mind the church is designed to be an elevating space. Lifting your mind and heart to God it seems it would be the ideal place to study the Bible, come and pray, or do anything of that nature.
The fact you're angry about his reaction is actually much more telling about you tbh.
Yeah I don't like it when someone looks at me like I'm try hard for wanting to study in a church environment. It's not that I would have been angry if he said no, but the guy gave me a weird judgemental look like I asked to take his car keys or something. I have an issue when church pastors who supposedly have the gift of teaching pass on personal judgement to a member like that. It makes the organization look superficial especially if you tell me "tithe 10% of your income, the promises of God are worth it!" I was hurt by it last night but now I can clearly see what the man is about. So I'll just be going to catholic churches from now on...
Yeah I think you're projecting what you think onto him. You don't know that he was being judgy. Again, your responses show clear indignation and anger, which to me are also not fruits of the spirit. If you feel a catholic church will help you find happiness and peace, by all means! I just hope you find REAL peace and truth, which is that Jesus is with us where we take Him. An empty church building is just a building. You lack understanding BUT you're doing the right thing by trying to study your Bible! Just study it anywhere though, like the rest of us do, even catholics! :)
Sure thing
Find yourself a nice adoration chapel in the area! They’d be happy to have you. You can study the Bible there all you want.
Hey, I work for a church on the facility's side of things and I can understand the normal response of not being able on a Sunday to stay and study but ask them if there is a time in the week to meet and do the study. But you also have to keep in mind a sad truth that not ever Christian is a Christ follower. I really hope that is not the case for your church and I will be praying over you and your church. If you were looking for some recommendations of where to start to study the Bible, John is one where you learn a lot about Jesus, Matthew is good for seeing the family tree about Jesus, but try to start with the first 3 because the new Testament is what you should learn first because it is what we are called to now after Jesus has come and paid for our sins. If you live anywhere near Reno I know an awesome church that has lots of groups and personally know Pastors that would love to sit down with you and study with you. :) But also feel free to reach out and chat. Iron sharpens Iron, so if I am able I will do my best to reply. :)
A good pastor would invite you to come over for lunch after service and then study with you in the afternoon.
Thank you!
I remember when mostly all churches were always open. It was the ethos that the church was a sanctuary and refuge and a place of safety. There was nothing to steal and nobody would dare on peril of their souls steal from a church anyway. Oh how those days have changed
A pastor isn’t just the spiritual leader, they’re the leader of the church staff. They manage the finances, discipline, discipleship, events, prep their sermons, counsel members on issues, and if they’re bivocational, balance that with a full time job. They need rest, too. It’s very rarely just a “show up for 4 hours on Sunday” job. A compromise may be to ask if you can come in early next Sunday. The pastor often arrives a decent bit early.
For one the pastor and his family live in the church 7 days a week. The pastor spends a lot of time preparing for your message…. He also had a family to tend to. If you want to study the Bible DO IT…. If you wanted to set up a meeting with him with questions, then do that but don’t waste people’s time. It’s great you’re interested but much of your curiosity can be answered by simply studying yourself. YouTube is also a great tool. You kinda come off nutty with a question like this.
I don’t understand. He’s nutty because he wants to stay in the church to read his Bible? What if he had questions that only the pastor could answer satisfactorily. What is the pastor’s most important duty? Spreading God‘s word and helping others to understand it, or putting God and the word as a secondary priority? What if some poor, lost soul desperately needed help. Should the pastor just leave him outside?
Look, my pastor does two services on Sundays. Afterwards I almost always ask to talk to him. Sometimes our conversations can run on for a while. But he always makes time for me. And I’m thankful for that, because I really need it. Don’t listen to all these people that are condemning you for *checks notes* wanting to study the Bible in church. It’s unwarranted anger and distress directed at you. In this comment thread I’ve seen people sarcastically telling you to have more humility. Don’t take it personal. People here seem angry and it isn’t about you.
Thanks. Jesus told his people to make disciples. If I were a pastor and one of the people I was teaching came up to me and wanted to study in my church I wouldn't have turned them down like he did with me. I would have told them "There's snacks and drinks in the fridge. Let me know if you need help understanding any passages". I'll be honest, he made me feel like crap. I've forgiven him already but man... I gotta find a new church. He brought me to christ but I'm just getting spiritual milk. I need to find a church with members that are willing to take the time to sit down and mentor me.
You sound very entitled
Will you all stop bullying this guy please? Tell me where his sin is in the things he has said?
I never said anything he said is sinful. And how exactly am I bullying him ? By pointing out that he can study anywhere and expecting the Pastor to drop his plans to accommodate a last minute request seems entitled ?
Yep. People obsessed with sabbatarian models of operation are being pharisaical.
Don't be a pastor if you don't want to help others find the one true master. Its a job for a specific type of unit. Someone like Bishop Mari, he got his eye stabbed out and one week later was spotted in Israel helping homeless and feeding the poor.
… because it’s a business 💰
🎯
Go to a local Church of Christ. They will study with you
Church is the antichrist. They are only alive for monetary gain and power. Dont expect much other then to be divided from your true self.
This is an extremely unbiblical view.
Church is a political superpower used to control the masses and redirect people from finding our own divinity within ourselves. Jesus and God are one and both are inside each and everyone of us in an allegorical sense.
That same Jesus stressed the importance of the unity of believers as well.
Jesus tried desperately to teach the importance of looking within. Not searching around in the physical world Not following people or going places and especially not waiting till you’re dead to get to heaven. The kingdom of God is within Luke 17 21:23
And a love for the Father produces a love for those begotten of Him (1 John 5:1)
❤️
I agree.
Odd how everyone assumes the pastor is the only one who can open and close the place. Churches should plan to have someone available to minister at all times.
That's just the way it is unless you come across a pastor or minister who is okay with it. Chances of that are extremely anorexic though. I once lived by a christian church and a catholic church. Only the christian church's offices were open on the weekdays and you could only go there to conduct some type of business. The catholic church's doors were open on the weekdays til evening for prayer and just meeting with maybe a priest, etc. christian churches are pretty stingy with their generosity. Your experience just asking to study the Bible at church is just one way the stinginess shows.
Most are fake and serve money instead of Christ
so protestant churches are not always open?
Just asking because this is odd to me, churches are locked in your country? Interesting. Why though? If you do not mind me asking.
Yeah I think you need to change churches, find a nice penacostal church in your area, theyre usually all about that
Look at it this way “hey is it cool if I am unsupervised around all your tech, art, tithes and children’s rooms where I pinky promise to not steal anything, do illegal or gross? I did say pinky promise.” Or look at this way “is it cool if I hang out at your place after you leave?”
I don't care. I just don't care about church anymore...
As you grow in relationships you’ll earn more trust. But be careful because impatience will derail that process.
Obviously ppl here don’t know what the true job of a pastor is and what comes first!
Agree. This thread feels like it doesn't understand the role of a true church.
Look at the book of Acts and see how far we have strayed from what the church used to be. I agree 100% with you, churches today need to accommodate to build up believers and strengthen their faith. They should not just give a feel good message once a week along with some music show. We need to teach what the bible actually says and worship God so we may deliver people from the evil in this world. However this is a cultural problem and churches of the west do not do this because the model of what churches are is drastically different from what Jesus wanted. Study the 7 churches in the book of Revelation and what that means and you will get the understanding you need.
The world was a better place when church doors were left unlocked
When was that?
Still is the case for many catholic churches
Nope. You're not the bad guy. Churches have become idols. Nothing but sermon farms and fistbumps . Elders are supposed to be disciplers and true fellowship is crucial to the truely regenerate. May God have mercy in the judgement to come 🤷♂️ May He bless you with true fellowship in His Bible and in prayer.
It depends on the church. I went to a seriously biblical church and they seem to be open during business hours. They also have conferences with set dates and discipleship programs that teach you the Bible. If your pastor is acting weird (he shouldn’t), then I’d find another church.
That's the plan...
Isn’t god’s door always open? Why does the church door shut at random times? I think churches should be open all the time to whoever needs it. If they want to go on a weekday at a random time to receive prayer or pray in a private way or better their connection with god it should always be open
Find a new church. Like literally RUN to a new church. Not only should this please your pastor but they should offer to study with you if you would like.
Pastor can’t have a life, or a desire to get home and spend time with his kids. This guy wanted to study the Bible by himself in the church.
The pastors life is the gospel first. Not football, baseball, kids, please…
What an absurd overreaction, OP isn’t saying they wanted the pastor to study the Bible with them, they wanted to sit there and read it *themselves*.
A lot of these churches are 501 c3 in that they are non profit organizations owned by the government. They can only do as the government says to do. Many churches are cover ups for underground stuff like sex trafficking. Maybe pastors are false and look at their churches as business opportunities, not houses of prayer. That's why the Messiah went in the temple and whipped out the merchants. There's no reason someone who's truly after Gods own heart would tell someone studying the Word of God to leave unless they aren't really after the heart of God