Verbal Response during Church

[thx4mercy]

Don't know if anybody can relate to this, but I have never in my life responded with any kind of a praise or thanks during a "praise" time.  You know, like before prayer they offer a time when they pass a mic to you if you raise your hand and want to thank God for something.  Our church does it a couple times a year, one time being at Thanksgiving time.  This time I responded for the first time. 

For the last several years I've thought more and more about it, from verses I read, and/or being convicted about the need to consciously make an effort to do so.  Many times in a sermon there will be something the speaker says that is such a wonderful truth and I just sit silently.  Finally, in the last couple years I have managed a very, very quiet "amen".  It just seems that we should be more enthusiastic about worship.

I'm thinking there could be several reasons why a person would always be unresponsive.  A big one might be that it's a reflection of their spiritual walk, like showing a lack of a personal relationship with Jesus.  Being raised in conservative Adventist churches is bound to affect a person or personality types.  What do you think?

I found it interesting that in the service that I gave my first praise, the sermon that day had something to do with giving thanks (frustrating to me that I don't remember better so I can give a better summary), and he said that it is actually "irreverent to come to church and be silent."

 

[BlessedMan]

On 12/3/2019 at 6:14 PM, thx4mercy said:

I found it interesting that in the service that I gave my first praise, the sermon that day had something to do with giving thanks (frustrating to me that I don't remember better so I can give a better summary), and he said that it is actually "irreverent to come to church and be silent."

There are certainly some churches who practice this idea VERY well. I used to live in a basement suite right beside what I was told was a Baptist Church.  Every Sunday morning I would hear, first a bit of singing, then as the crescendo was building, some would start pounding on the floorboards with some sort of "holy rolling" praise stuff. It was a little bit disturbing to have to put up with it every week, I ended up having to remember to keep the offending window closed. Some weeks their racket would literally shake the cups and glasses in my kitchen cupboards.

But what you are talking about here is a beautiful thing! It seems that you are expressing your personal spiritual growth, and enjoying the thoughts of gratitude; yet wondering why others don't also seem to be joining in? My thought on that is that many have certain fears and inhibitions when they are in public, and while they may not readily show it, they will feel hesitant to do anything in a public setting such as the church congregation, while others won't hesitate:

Quote

"My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him." (Psalms 22:25)

Sometimes, I will "praise the Lord" in a quieter, less public sort of way when I am walking in the forests or parks. Just feeling grateful for the beautiful things around me:

Quote

"Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright." (Psalms 33:1)

Praise & gratitude, in my mind is totally fine, whether quietly & private, or louder, and more public. But sometimes we will have to plug our ears.

Quote

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Heb 13:5)

 

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

maybe it's just me, but when the microphone starts getting passed around, it's always the same people who say the same thing, and I think to myself, "C'mon.... let's get on with the program" — public "praise" has never been particularly impressive to me.  If someone has a great story to tell, then, by all means, s/he should be allowed to get up in front of folks (at a scheduled time) to speak.

It's kinda like public "altar calls" — everyone thinks they're a good idea, but the moment the call is made, people start getting uncomfortable, and suddenly find really interesting things in their purses or pockets to look at.

[BlessedMan]

46 minutes ago, rudywoofs (Pam) said:

It's kinda like public "altar calls" — everyone thinks they're a good idea, but the moment the call is made, people start getting uncomfortable, and suddenly find really interesting things in their purses or pockets to look at.

LOL; it can also be a little dangerous! I am reminded of one time when a person stood up at the call for "praise" or "testimony" and he just started hollering away about all the evils of the church, and it wasn't easy, at the time to get him to relax and let others have a turn at the wheel.  I was "elder in charge" that week, and the pressure to get him to stop was almost as bad as his hooting and lecturing. No. I wasn't preaching about the holy spirit that week.

[JoeMo]

In our little church, nobody is quiet; even during the sermon (more like a directed discussion).  There are praises, there are prayer requests; and they are usually meaningful.  Then, during the sermon, people are encouraged to ask questions and make comments.  People respect one another, so there has never been a problem at the service.  I'm sure there have been some animated discussions afterwards.

[phkrause]

21 hours ago, JoeMo said:

In our little church, nobody is quiet; even during the sermon (more like a directed discussion).  There are praises, there are prayer requests; and they are usually meaningful.  Then, during the sermon, people are encouraged to ask questions and make comments.  People respect one another, so there has never been a problem at the service.  I'm sure there have been some animated discussions afterwards.

I like that!! Sounds interesting also seems like it can get a little out of control??

[debbym]

when visitors are interacting during the sermon when they are intoxicated or high, it takes a bit more tact and care to keep things flowing respectfully.

 

[JoeMo]

17 hours ago, phkrause said:

I like that!! Sounds interesting also seems like it can get a little out of control??

One of the things I like about our church is that (so far) it has never gotten "out of control" or heated.  Everyone respects one another. When there are irreconcilable differences of opinion (and there sometimes is), people simply agree to disagree and we move on. No one is ever declared "wrong"; and frequently one side sees the other side's POV; and everyone grows.

The only time I saw things get a little intense is when a visitor from Shepard's  Rod (or Davidian SDA Church) came in and disrupted the service.  They were asked to be quiet or leave; so they left.

15 hours ago, debbym said:

when visitors are interacting during the sermon when they are intoxicated or high, it takes a bit more tact and care to keep things flowing respectfully.

To my knowledge, no one has ever come to our church uncontrollably intoxicated.  They may have been controllably intoxicated and just behaved themselves.