[MD Expat in PA]

So much for all the love Osteen preaches about. ….While their behavior could be called into question, it’s not criminal trespass to go where the public is invited in.

It is not criminal trespass to go where the public is invited in, but it would be criminal trespass if they are there just to, only disrupt and when they actually do nothing but disrupt.

I would guess that your church welcomes any and all people who are not members, but are perhaps interested in becoming one or wanting to learn about your church’s teachings. But inviting them in doesn’t give them free reign to disrupt the services. If they have questions or even disagreements about your church’s teachings, standing up and yelling and protesting during the actual church services, is not the way to go about it. Would you not agree?

[metmom]

If someone came into our church to disrupt, I have no doubt the elders would converge on them and escort them out.

I HIGHLY DOUBT that the church would press criminal charges and have them jailed.

I cannot imagine the leadership of my church taking that kind of drastic action unless it was escalating over a period of time and it was apparent that people’s lives or property were in danger and no other course of action worked to stop it.

And at that point, they’d more likely get an order of protection first.

[Gamecock]

Oh I don't know. Back in the good old days folks used to throw chairs at a preacher who said something heretical from the pulpit. (In my denomination anyway.)