Tap Your Neighbor On The Shoulder!!!

Lord help me!!! I've been a believer and going to church for almost 20 years and there's one thing that my Pastor and many others do that really drives me crazy.

Whenever the minister says,

1. Tap your neighbor on the shoulder and tell'em, "It ain't over till God says it's over".
2. Tap your neighbor on the shoulder and tell'em, "Get ready because a blessing is on the way".
3. Tap your neighbor on the should and tell'em, "Don't let the devil fool ya".
4. Look at your neighbor and give'em a high five.

I mean, it's cool when your sitting between a family members or friends. But usually, there's a stranger sitting on either side of you. Then you get prompted to Tell Your Neighbor.....such and such, while leaning awkwardly in there director looking at them out the corner of your eye.

I can usually deal with 1 of these Tap Your Neighbor things in a service, but sometimes they want you to do it 8 and 9 times. In my opinion, all this shoulder tapping is unnecessary and makes a lot of people anxious. You're talking to a total stranger and you don't even know if they are okay with being touched. And if I can be honest, I really don't remember anything that I've said to my neighbor or that my neighbor has said to me.

Should we all strive to me more vocal, expressive and outwardly friendly? Oh yes!! But we are all different. Some people are more reserved and not as boisterous. I've seen some of the meanest people in the world appear to be very spiritual by high fiving, zealously looking at their neighbor and repeating a message and shouting with excitement for what God has done in their lives. By the same token, I've seen others with a very cool demeanor who may only raise their hands and weep from time to time, who are my no means perfect, yet have a heart of gold.

I love God and I love people, but I'm not a fan of the Look At Your Neighbor/Tap Your Neighbor on the Should and repeat to them what I just said. It really feels weird. Because really what I'm thinking is, I don't know you and you don't know me. We haven't shared our testimony with one another and quite honestly, your repeated words of prophesy really does nothing for me. Also, you can end up next to a person who doesn't normally go to church and heck, may not really be into the service at all. Then they kinda stare straight ahead, which is an indication that you better not Tap on me or look at me too long. A handshake before or after service will do. But, then again that's just my opinion. It may work for others with an extroverted personality. And I consider myself a extrovert, but it does take me a short moment or 2 to really warm-up to some people.

So, if it's not necessarily your thing to constantly Tap and Look at your Neighbor during service, see if you can find a seat at the end of a pew and a friend our spouse on the other side of you.

And that's just my two cents.