When Sitting in Church is a Challenge

For Those of Us Who Have Ants in Their Pants

I have always had a hard time sitting still and focusing only on one thing. I am a super productive person and I multi-task effectively. I get bored easily. My brain needs to be stimulated and interested or I get fidgety. It is not “acceptable” to multi-task in church but I still do it. I am paying attention, I promise! In fact it helps. While I listen to the sermon I may be writing an article or responding to emails.

I know I am not the only one. I also know that many have an even harder time than I do. My son could never sit through a whole service. He had to get up and walk around. School, and not just church, was a nightmare for him.

I find sitting and paying attention to a long meeting even more challenging as I get older. It makes me more empathetic to so many who endure church services and can’t wait for them to end. It has nothing to do with a lack of spirituality or love for God. Sitting in church for two hours is just not for everyone! Our neurological makeup varies.

The way we “do church” is very similar to an educational institution or a lecture hall of the Greek tradition. It suits a certain kind of people. Some learn better by doing and being active. Christianity is not formal school. It is a way of life. The ones who rise to church leadership tend to be studious types who did well in school, but that leaves out a large number of Christians who do not enjoy sitting in one place listening to a lesson. And then, forget about taking notes! I may have a hard time but I am able to do it. I know for some, that is beyond the realm of possible.

As we recognize the reality of neuro-divergent people and just those who learn differently, we need to make space for different ways of doing church. Jesus was always on the go. He would teach in different settings — in a synagogue but also from a boat, on a mountainside, or in homes. Variety helps. We also do not have to sit in rows. We can sit in a circle, around a table, while eating or traveling.

There are many creative ways we can do church to accommodate different brains. And let us accept the fact that some people need to walk around or multi-task while listening to a sermon! It doesn’t mean they are less spiritual. One of my kids used to doodle in church. They said it helped them listen better. And please, let us stop expecting people to take notes. Some may benefit, but who really reads those notes later?