Why do most churches make you stand for the music?

[bicker]

I don't remember all the details, but what I do recall is that you sing more forcefully when you're standing than seated.

 

[PollyannaMom]

read in a cheerleading cadence


LETS GO JESUS clap clap, clap clap clap

LETS GO JESUS clap clap, clap clap clap

Stand up Sit down Pray Pray PRAY!!!!!

Mikeeee

I always thought it was b/c they knew you'd sat for an hour (give or take) in Sunday School and you're going to be sitting for a long time during the sermon. The music part is your chance to stretch. I get restless if I have to sit too long, so I'm glad we stand for the music portion.

I kind of agree with this. Where I go, it's not standing for all the music in one big block. There is standing, kneeling, sitting at various times (and some of our songs are sitting.) At certain parts, too, the children are invited up around the altar, to sit on the carpet for the homily, or stand and "help" Father bless the wafers. It breaks up the service so it's easier on the kids (and by extension, their parents.)

 

[aprilgail2]

My dad used to say it was to keep him from napping to long. As soon as he started to snore then it was time to stand!

 

[luvsJack]

Standing for the music is a way of honoring God. In the same way that you would stand in the presence of royalty rather than remaining in your chair, you stand in the presence of God. Of course, there are good reasons for not standing, such as health problems, injuries, etc. But most of us can endure standing for 15 minutes while we show respect for the God we worship.

Yep! A worshiper should stand in His presence.

We don't stand for 15 or 20 minutes though. We stand and greet one another and guests and sing one song. Then sit for a prayers and announcements. Then we stand for one song. After that there are guest singers or the choir sings. Then we stand for another song. and so on and so forth. So we only actually stand for 3 songs, max and there is enough time between that its not "up and down, up and down".

Being that it is this way regardless of the church I go to, even one that doesn't have a song director (the preacher does it) and one that doesn't have a choir; I don't think being able to sing better while standing has anything to do with for us.

 

[ford family]

I only go to church for weddings and funerals and I find the standing part irksome. Being a non believer I never join in with the hyms or the responses but just stand there watching. It always fascinates me to see people at their worship, especially in the more extrovert churches.

ford family

 

[lecach]

Yep! A worshiper should stand in His presence.

QUOTE]


But we dont stand for the sermon. And we're worshipping Him then too.

At our church they do music for at least the first 20 minutes. It would be different if it was just a song or two at a time. It just gets old standing that much and I hear other people complaining about it too. We dont have Sunday School either so it's not like we've been sitting for awhile.

Our church is nondenominational and the music is very contemporary and like a rock concert. So for the most part, many people are just watching and not expected to sing.

It wont stop me from going to church but I would enjoy the music more if I could just enjoy it from my seat.

 

[goofy4tink]

Each religion is going to be different. I'm Episcopalian. We stand for the processional, stand for the gospel hymn, and then again for the recessional. Why? The cross is coming into the church for the processional and out of the church with the recessional. We are already standing for the gospel reading. It's all about respect.
The choir sings a lot more of the music and is standing for some of it. For the communion hymns, the choir remains seated.
For prayers, sometimes we are kneeling, sometimes standing. It gives a nice break to change your position every once in awhile.

I guess no one church is going to be perfect for everyone. But, hopefully, if you are looking for a place to worship, you can find a place that meets some of your needs. I prefer a more traditional approach, without a ton of true contemporary music. I like the traditional hymns. Praise music is okay, just not my cup of tea. But, if it gets people together, in a like minded place, that's terrific.
So..we really don't have all that much standing at one time. Or kneeling at one time either.

 

[Golf4food]

Worship isn't something you sit through to enjoy. Worship is something you particiapte in. Worship is not a choir performing to you; worship is you performing to God regardless of whatever else is happening at the same time (ie a choir, others around you). It is an audience of One (God); you are not part of the audience, you are one of the performers.

If you want to sit and enjoy something go to a concert. If you only expect to sit and enjoy while at church and not participate in any way you are probably there for the wrong reason or your heart is in the wrong place. (Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh, but it is true.)

And I don't think that is just a Christian concept - I would think it should apply to all forms of worship regardless of religion - worship of anything requires personal action. I don't think any god would be pleased if their followers just sat around expecting to be entertained. God, Allah, Vishnu, Buddah, whoever.


Signed,
Church music direct/worship leader

 

[KSchwagg86]

Standing for the music is a way of honoring God. In the same way that you would stand in the presence of royalty rather than remaining in your chair, you stand in the presence of God. Of course, there are good reasons for not standing, such as health problems, injuries, etc. But most of us can endure standing for 15 minutes while we show respect for the God we worship.

 

[EMom]

Stand, sit. Stand, sit. Pray, think, listen. Why does church have to be so HARD? Why can't God just be satisfied if I show up in my footed pajamas and rest comfy with my head on a pillow as I stretch out across the pew? What does He WANT? Sacrifice? Effort? The occasional bit of discomfort? The nerve!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I think I finally figured it out why they make us stand so much! Just be advised that it is not a very Christian answer but I wonder if there is some truth to it.
Ready?

I think they make us stand so we can reach deep into our pockets before the collection plates come to collect the tithing. You know, if you are sitting you can only reach a little bit. If you stand you can reach way down in there.
Anyone? Possibly?

 

[Chelley00]

I think I finally figured it out why they make us stand so much! Just be advised that it is not a very Christian answer but I wonder if there is some truth to it.
Ready?

I think they make us stand so we can reach deep into our pockets before the collection plates come to collect the tithing. You know, if you are sitting you can only reach a little bit. If you stand you can reach way down in there.
Anyone? Possibly?

If you are reaching way down, it's mostly to get the spare change That's not sacrificial giving, it's leftovers

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If you are reaching way down, it's mostly to get the spare change That's not sacrificial giving, it's leftovers

See now I disagree. That change is for my Disney Jar. I am sacrificing my Disney money!

 

[MiniGirl]

But during the offering is one time we actually sit, so I don't think that is the case -- at least not in our church.

Personally, I am of the we stand to worship our Creator thought. Really, standing during a few songs isn't that much of a sacrifice especially when I think of all He has done for and given me.

 

[luvsJack]

Yep! A worshiper should stand in His presence.

QUOTE]


But we dont stand for the sermon. And we're worshipping Him then too.

At our church they do music for at least the first 20 minutes. It would be different if it was just a song or two at a time. It just gets old standing that much and I hear other people complaining about it too. We dont have Sunday School either so it's not like we've been sitting for awhile.

Our church is nondenominational and the music is very contemporary and like a rock concert. So for the most part, many people are just watching and not expected to sing.

It wont stop me from going to church but I would enjoy the music more if I could just enjoy it from my seat.

The difference, for us anyway, would be that during the sermon we are learning. Our preacher is also our teacher. He talks about a certain part of the Bible, about what is going on and what it means.