BST's Blog

I would like to bring up the subject of cell phone etiquette. I know...it's a sensitive subject. Anyone who knows me knows that I will probably have a tumor in my ear from all the cell phone usage. Honestly, it's what helps me juggle two full time gigs and keep up with people in my ministry at the same time. However, there are certain things about cell phone usage I feel compelled to call into question.

First, why do people need to have their cell phones on during church? OK--let me re-phrase that. In the event that someone is deathly ill, a wife is extremely pregnant, or the world is coming to an end, there's this thing I like to call "vibrate". Some phones may have a "silence" function. Either way, can we all agree to turn our phones off for one little hour on Sunday mornings, or at the very least, turn it on silence?? How many Sundays have we endured sitting and listening to some phone go off for what seems like minutes playing either some classical tune or some loud obnoxious ring? In St. Louis at the ZOE conference, during one of the main sessions, a phone rang. and rang. and rang. I prefer to think that the person was so lost in worship that they didn't notice...either that or they thought it was someone else's.

When we did the live recording at OC, phones and babies were in abundance (as were a couple of folks who seized the opportunity to sing a solo into an audience mic). So, when we did the RE-recording in Abilene at the Paramount Theatre, John Mays, my co-producer went out on stage and went through this hilarious routine about cell phones. He took his out and held it up and had everyone hold theirs up and together turn them off. Guess what we heard half way through the night? Yep...ring-a-ling-a-ling! Unbelievable.

Secondly, when at lunch with someone, leave your cell phone in the car, OR on silence. Am I the only one who feels dumb sitting at a table with someone jabbering away on their cell phone? I admit, I usually have mine with me and usually only Sheryl can get through. But even at that, when I answer, I'll tell her I am at lunch with someone and she knows what that means. We have a pretty good system worked out there. She knows she can almost always get through to me, but she's also great about respecting that time.

Thirdly, when on your cell phone in public...grocery store, airport, mall, restaurant, etc...remember that you are only talking to the person on the other line. How many of us have encountered the "loud talkers" out there who like everyone to know that they indeed are talking on a cell phone. It's nothing short of a one act play...peels of laughter, dramatic "NO's!", etc.

Finally, when in a meeting, all of the above applies. This scenario is what prompted me writing about this today. (Sorry for the soap box!) I went to a meeting yesterday with my mom's real estate agent, the contractor of the subdivision and the builder of her new house. It was one of those tedious meetings where we had to go over plans to make sure all the specs had made it into the floor plan and electrical plan. Both the contractor and the builder got calls about every 5 minutes...and took them. The builder had one of those completely annoying phones--the walkie-talkie kind. After about the 8th call, and that's no overstatement, Jerry (Mom's agent) and I looked at each other and just shook our heads and laughed. It was ridiculous. It was about 45 minutes into the meeting before we even got to doing what we were there to do.

Yes, cells phones are amazing. I am personally thankful for mine and for the way it helps me stay in touch and get things done along the way. I am thankful that if anything happens to Sheryl or the kids or my mom that I can be found and can rush to help. However, cell phones have taken multi-tasking to an all new annoying level. It's ridiculous to have to make announcements or power point slides in church begging people to silence or turn off cell phones. It's insane to sit at a lunch with someone jabbering away to someone else on his or her cell phone. It's rude to be called to a meeting where 70% of the time is spent waiting while others answer and talk on cell phones.

My plea is for simple common sense and courtesy. While this blog is written with a little tongue in cheek sarcasm, I'm sure you can agree with me about the need for some cell phone sensitivity and courtesy out there. And, if you see me doing any of these things, please slap me.