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Praise and Worship Posture
Posted on October 19th, 2009 in Worship Leadership by Fred McKinnon
Today’s blog was inspired by an incredible article I read this weekend over at “TheWorshipCommunity.Com”. Written by Sarah Markley, this article (it’s called “Sitting Down – For the Record“) revealed a side of the worshiper in our congregations that many worship leaders need to know. (image by Mark Beeson)
Let’s talk about “posture” in our praise and worship settings. Specifically, sitting down. I know, I know – we don’t find any mention of someone “sitting” in praise or worship before the Lord in Scripture … I’m afraid I’ve probably used that one to manipulate those I’ve led … But then again … since when is the “singing” portion of our worship services the only time we are “in worship”?
I will never forget this time I was at a Hillsongs concert in Jacksonville, Florida. It was several years ago and I was with a group of friends … we were down on the 4th or 5th row. Darlene Zschech was leading that fun song, “You Have Turned My Mourning into Dancing” … you know, the one where everybody is standing, spinning around, hands in the air, dancing, carrying on in radical praise …
And I was sitting. Bent over, face in my hands, elbows propped on my knees … having an encounter with the God of the Universe. I forget exactly what we were talking about, but it was a more serious encounter where we were “having words”. In the midst of this time, I remember it was like God called a “sidebar” … we’re just having dialog back and forth, and then totally non-related to our conversation, He calls it out …
“Fred, you know if these people are anything like you … they are assuming you’re totally bored and disengaged from this worship time”.
I found that humorous because of the intensity of the encounter I was having with God; yet, I found it humbling as He was nailing me … blasting me of the judgment I’ve held so many times as I look at the postures and expressions of those I’m leading.
For the most part, I think we can discern when someone is (or is not) engaging. Posture says a lot in most cases. Scripture gives plenty of instruction and examples of Biblical postures of worship and praise. But I think we can use those to manipulate people. Worse, we can judge where they are and become a Pharisee ourselves.
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26 Responses to “Praise and Worship Posture”
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Great blog post Fred! I have to completely agree with you on this. Looking back on some of my most intense encounters with God, the moments I feel most convicted, I naturally end up in my seat, hands over my face because I am completely ashamed about something that God is convicting me of. Needless to say, that ‘form’ or ‘posture’ of worship is one that we need to be more aware of. We need to look at it more like ‘active’ sitting vs. ‘passive’ sitting. My guess is that when we have intense encounters with God, that bring us to seats, that there will be a distinct difference to those who are sitting out of disconnect and boredom.
Fred,
Because I was in the row behind you I had some moments to observe your worship. It was really cool and made me smile to see both your hands up in the air. I know when your up playing an instrument you only have 1 hand available. So I felt honored to be able to witness your worship and it humbled me to see you humbled before God. Thank you for stopping by to chat with us yesterday. I enjoyed hearing more details about your trip.
Blessings,
Tracie
Tracie,
Thanks a ton – it was good seeing you here at SSCC … and thanks for the encouragement. What a rare treat to just take in a service as a worshiper w/o responsibilities!
New blog post: Praise and Worship Posture http://bit.ly/3fujle
Hmm I can imagine it was a treat. As far as being in the audience as a worshiper I rarely do what the leader says. Not in a form of rebellion but to try my best to worship in response to the awe I have for God or any emotion I feel towards God at that time. There are times I have went with the crowd. But many of times when I am truly worshipping it’s not with the crowd. I am in my own world. And it’s not always easy and pleasant. Sometimes God has told me to do things during this time of worship and I haven’t always obeyed because I am like no God I will look crazy. Yes, and a few times I can say I have done the crazy thing. I dunno but worship is definitely more than standing or sitting or singing words to a song. Much more…
What about sitting at the feet of Jesus? Isn’t that in “there” somewhere?
I think as long as you don’t try to get people to take their shoes and socks off (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsHH_HYSkH8) during worship, you’ll be ok.
I’ll have to try that one next week! haha
Fred –
Worship Leaders are in a strange position, and this post is really great. We cannot just assume because someone is seated that they are not engaged in worship.
All our effort to determine whether the congregation is “worshipping” or not frequently only serves to distract us from engaging in worship oursleves. We should just worship. God is the only “audience” that matters, right?
Sue,
I tend to agree, we can get totally distracted as leaders … especially when we focus on those who “seem” to be disengaged. The leader in us wants to “lead” them to a place of connection, yet most times, our distraction is more of a “am I doing something wrong” or a critical “what’s wrong with them” attitude.
I enjoyed this article. As a minister I repentively have used those same scriptures in worship myself. When I became sick, I found myself having to sit or even rest my head. What is so GREAT about our God is that He looks at the heart. Worship comes in all kinds of postures and He knows what they all mean. Our worship is to Him, who is worthy of all our praise!
Sitting is totally okay for the congregation. In fact, I encourage it every now and then. It’s easy to get into the whole stand up, wave your arms routine and forget that part of worship is listening. I’ve always believed that God actually speaks when we’re fully surrendered. I consider sitting down equivalent to closing your eyes during worship–it helps me focus.
In the moments when we, leaders or team members, feel that no one gets it…as we are already tuned in to what His Spirit is leading us to do…we may be actually striking a chord within that causes a ‘Holy Hush’, if you will. When that profound moment happens to me – I find that I am filled with a reverential lump in my throat that quiets my voice and a flood of internal praise begins taking place. His presence is so overwhelming that all I can do is listen to those around me or to the worship leader. I may be standing with arms outstretched to the Lord or I may need to kneel down or sit down just to humble myself in the glory of His presence.
To me, what our human eyes experience at times, perception of disengagement leads to an affirmation that we are so totally on the right track!
Funny this blog would come to my attention just now. Our praise team from Walnut Grove Church just made a long weekend journey to Ritzville to sing in one of their little churches. The majority of parishioners are elderly. And although we like to think our musical message is powerful, most of their faces showed no emotion. And yet, as we greeted folks after wards, they pressed our hands and begged us to come back real soon and were clearly moved.
Let's talk about postures in praise and worship – is it OK to sit down? Click this link and let your voice be heard! http://bit.ly/1UKCpP
Let's talk about postures in praise and worship – is it OK to sit down? Click this link and let your voice be heard! http://bit.ly/1UKCpP
Check out this great article about worship postures: http://bit.ly/3fujle
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by fmckinnon: New blog post: Praise and Worship Posture http://bit.ly/3fujle...
Not quite sure the reason for calling attention to the name of the worship leaders.
Mary,
I don’t see anyone doing that – I mentioned Darlene, but not in a negative way, just in the context of it being Hillsong … not sure what you’re getting at?
Glad to hear you weren’t pointing them out as how not to worship.
@fmckinnon blog: Praise and Worship Posture http://bit.ly/qaqxs So who are you talking to?…and who is watching? The right answer: ONE!
Praise and Worship Posture http://bit.ly/257PEE #postrank #church
these are great comments, fred. i like this discussion.
as a wife of a worship leader, it’s a topic in our house a lot. one of my husband’s things is that our churches don’t allow enough rest in worship. its so often about jumping up and standing up and getting excited, when sometimes (like Travis said) its about sitting at the feet of Jesus.
great post, Fred.
Even the idea of “discerning” someone’s posture of worship seems similar to the idea of getting the saw dust out of our own eyes. We need to worry about ourselves, and if we are looking across the room at someone we don’t know wondering if they too are worshipping, we probably need to get to know them first before we “discern” things about them.
[...] though, sometimes worship is an act of getting down and dirty with God. Fred McKinnon recalls a story… I will never forget this time I was at a Hillsongs concert in Jacksonville, Florida. It was [...]