Comments on: Church Start Times http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/03/21/church-start-times/ by Hemant Mehta Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: MikeClawson http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-143409 MikeClawson Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:39:15 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-143409 My guess is that they figure unique starting times are more likely to stick in people's minds. If you drive by a church sign that says 8:01, you're more likely to remember it and even comment on it, than a sign that merely says 8:00. In other words, it's a marketing ploy. As for coming in late, sometimes it's people trying to avoid the worship music (many Christians really can't stand it either), and sometimes it's us parents of toddlers who struggle to be on time to <em>anything</em> when you have little ones to wrestle with. My guess is that they figure unique starting times are more likely to stick in people’s minds. If you drive by a church sign that says 8:01, you’re more likely to remember it and even comment on it, than a sign that merely says 8:00. In other words, it’s a marketing ploy.

As for coming in late, sometimes it’s people trying to avoid the worship music (many Christians really can’t stand it either), and sometimes it’s us parents of toddlers who struggle to be on time to anything when you have little ones to wrestle with.

]]> By: blackskeptic http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-143403 blackskeptic Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:11:14 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-143403 oh yes. that sexy postmodern edge. haha. her comment had me literally laughing out loud :) my family's church starts at 8:25am instead of 8:30am. i guess that's not as sexy as 8:01am. oh yes. that sexy postmodern edge. haha. her comment had me literally laughing out loud :) my family’s church starts at 8:25am instead of 8:30am. i guess that’s not as sexy as 8:01am.

]]> By: Mriana http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-143082 Mriana Sat, 22 Mar 2008 01:29:54 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-143082 You know, Hemant, maybe those who walk in late are in transition. I know there was a time I felt guilty if I was late and avoided it. Then I started not caring and not taking any of it seriously. I didn't care what others thought because it was hype. Then I just stopped going because I realized the reason why I didn't care was because I didn't believe it anymore. So maybe those who walk in late are going through a transition. Which might not be a such a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. Of course, this transition could go either way, but I think eventually many just drop out after a while. You know, Hemant, maybe those who walk in late are in transition. I know there was a time I felt guilty if I was late and avoided it. Then I started not caring and not taking any of it seriously. I didn’t care what others thought because it was hype. Then I just stopped going because I realized the reason why I didn’t care was because I didn’t believe it anymore. So maybe those who walk in late are going through a transition. Which might not be a such a bad thing, depending on how you look at it.

Of course, this transition could go either way, but I think eventually many just drop out after a while.

]]> By: Cade http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-143066 Cade Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:44:29 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-143066 Wow, over 617 years for worship music. That's an impressive accomplishment. Wow, over 617 years for worship music. That’s an impressive accomplishment.

]]> By: Tom in Iowa http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-142970 Tom in Iowa Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:49:48 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-142970 During my "on the church council" phase we had a similar issue, but with a much simpler explanation. The maintenance guy who took care of the sign had simply run out of or lost the "0" letters that fit on the sign, so he figured a minute or two wouldn't make any difference. During my “on the church council” phase we had a similar issue, but with a much simpler explanation. The maintenance guy who took care of the sign had simply run out of or lost the “0″ letters that fit on the sign, so he figured a minute or two wouldn’t make any difference.

]]> By: Cindy http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-142957 Cindy Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:15:36 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-142957 Supposedly there have been studies that show that people are more likely to be on time if the start time is not on the hour or half-hour. I remember reading a newspaper article about it, but can't find anything online right now. Supposedly there have been studies that show that people are more likely to be on time if the start time is not on the hour or half-hour. I remember reading a newspaper article about it, but can’t find anything online right now.

]]> By: Mouse http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-142932 Mouse Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:21:20 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/03/21/church-start-times/#comment-142932 I drove by a church yesterday advertising services at 8:23 and 11:45. I wondered why one was an oddly specific time and the other was fairly normal. I drove by a church yesterday advertising services at 8:23 and 11:45. I wondered why one was an oddly specific time and the other was fairly normal.

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