I subscribe to an e-mail list by David Cloud. I don't agree with everything he says, but all of it is usually a good read and makes you think about what you really think about certain subjects.
One thing that really bugs me is how unrespectful people are while the pastor is preaching. Today, Mr. Cloud's e-mail dealt with this very thing. I cannot find the entire article on his website, so I have posted the e-mail in its entirety here. I couldn't find anything on Mr. Cloud's website about what he considers acceptable use of his material, but I think this falls under fair use. If you are the copyright holder and want this document removed, please contact me and it shall be done.
Here are the main points made by Mr. Cloud in his e-mail:
HOW TO CONDUCT YOURSELF DURING PREACHING
"But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15).
1. SIT RESPECTFULLY AND ALERTLY
2. DON'T DISTRACT OTHERS
3. LISTEN WELL
4. TREAT THE INVITATION SERIOUSLY
Of these, there are two that aggravate me to no end: #2 and #4. I work sound at Highland, and so we get to see everything that goes on in the service. You wouldn't believe the number of people who wander in and out, out and in while the service is going on. I don't understand. And, if that weren't enough, the invitation is the time in the service for people to respond to God's call on their life. It isn't time to put on your coat, gather you stuff, or, worst of all, walk out of the service to beat the rush out of the parking lot! If God isn't dealing with you, you should pray that others in the service would allow God to work in their life (and you probably should be trying to figure out why God didn't say anything to you that Sunday!).
In short, remember we don't go to church to be entertained. We don't even go to church to hear what the preacher has to say. We go to church to 1)Worship Almighty God and 2)Hear what He has to say to us through the preacher.