What is that??

It's folks who shout "Amen!" every time the pastor makes an point. It has more to do with culture than anything else.

I've been known to be a little vocal in church when I agreed very strongly with the preacher (but not disruptive), but most of the time I don't because it can have a tendency to take the attention away from the message of the preacher and put it on the people who allegedly agree with the pastor.


On the other hand, I've preached in places where it is the custom to give verbal support to the preacher (a predominently black church comes to mind), and I was encouraged tremendously by the "Amens" and calls to "Tell it!". Of course when I stammered over my words at one point, a dear lady shouted, "Oh, please help him Jesus!" which almost completely choked me with laughter.

 

Hi Kate.

Amen is a term meaning, 'so be it'. It is a term of agreement to what is being or has been said.

Usually what takes place Kate, is that someone who is preaching or teaching Gods word, and it is something that the Holy spirit has inspired to be delivered goes forth. And those hearing this anointed word, have been studying or reading the word, and the spirit has been revealing its meaning to them. And there is an agreement between the speaker and the hearer because it is a revelation by the same spirit. And usually there is an 'amen' from the hearer. There is a two fold blessing, one to the hearer and the other to the preacher or teacher. It is like a confirmation to them both, that they are both hearing from the same spirit. This is why the word says let all things be confirmed, by two or three witnesses. Understand?

This is why 1 John 2:27 is so important in the life of the believer. It is like I said to some of the elders. The ministry is not a Moses or Joshua type ministry, where these men of god would go into the presence of god and get a word from god, and then go out and tell the people. Today believers have the right and privilege to enter into the presence of the King of Kings, and hear for themselves what He has to say. They don't need a doctorate, or diplomana to do so.

Hope this helps.

In Him.

 

Well Kate if you've read Pauls account of what went on in the assembly of the saints you would find a lot of things that don't go on in many assemblies today. 1 Corinthians 14:1-40.

The word hasn't changed, the spirit hasn't changed, but something has, and many are the less for it.

In Him.

 

Kate; we know by the word, that there are many who call themselves christian, but who truly aren't. We also know that there are those that counterfeit the things of God. And all this falseness, and counterfeiting, and lying, is for a purpose. That we might learn to discern the true from the false. Remember the tares and the wheat. They look the same until they start to bear their fruit. And by their fruit you will know them.

John 15 says there are branches in the Vine that don't bear fruit, and they are going to be cut off and thrown in the fire. Imagine that? Branches that have been grafted into the TRUE VINE Jesus Christ, and nothing of Him is growing in them.... Isn't that the saddest thought.

In Him

 

*gasp*
Churches that don't amen really do exist?
How can you stand it? I went to one where the women weren't allowed to talk, so only the men amened.
It was the only one like that, and it's wonderful to not have to contain yourself when the truth of God hits your heart! Ears. You know what I mean.
Gina

 

Katie posted:

[A friend who I ahve been trying to get to go back to church for 3 years now told me she didn't want to go to a church that didn't have an amen cornor. Now what is that? And does it have a biblical bases?
I guess I'm just not old enough.]

Katie, age has nothing to do with it. In my church even the young children know what and where the amen corner is. It is a matter of tradition. If your church doesn't have one and you have been attending there all your life, then you wouldn't know.

Maybe I can shed some lightfor you. A member can say amen from anywhere in the church house when he feels the pastor has uttered a statement of deep truth. However, that does not constitute an amen corner. In most rural churches (and I suppose mostly in the south) there are up to four pews in a corner adjacent to the pulpit.

It is here that some of the deacons and other of the male pillars of the church sit and utter their approval to the sermon delivered by the pastor. I have also heard that some churches have awomen corners that the sisters of the church sit.

I do not believe there is a bibical basis for this amen corner. It seems to be more of a regional tradition. I also don't believe there is anything wrong with this practice as long as those who are amening do not fall into a rhythm and begin to give vocal support to statements of no consequence.

We once had a deacon in our church that would amen every fourth sentence. He ended up vocalizing to some pretty dumb things.

 

I once had a baby cry rather loudly in one church service. I thought that was my amen corner..

Cheers,

Jim

 

We live in the bootheel of Missouri, and Amens are said at most all the churches I have been too. It takes nothing away from the service. But then I have never heard anyone say it every other sentence either. Men as well as women say it. Some even will say softly "Thats right". I have never heard anyone just bellow out the words, but they do say things in a more respective way. It seems I have the Amen head. I do alot of nodding. A preacher friend told me one time, when he would look for that amen, he could just look over at me and I would be giving him the nod. I laughed, but thats when I noticed I was doing it. I still do, and cannot stop from doing it.


What I woulds like to do is sit in the very back pew, and do just like on the "Ghost and Mr. Chicken" Movie, and yell, "Atta Boy Preacher!" (Well that guy said Luther. tee-hee!) But that would be a little devilish so I will now bow out gracefully.

Sherrie

 

I think the funniest one I ever heard was when our 70 year old deacon/everything but the pastor himself shouted "Break it down!"
I had to put my hand over my mouth because I was trying to hard not to laugh out loud!
Gina

 

Katie, you are correct. Whether a church has an amen corner or not is a poor basis for choosing a church.

Perhaps I did not make my previous post clear. No one is required to sit in the "prime" seats. Truly, I think all the pews in the Lord's house are "prime". And no one is required to say amen. If the Holy Spirit connects with the spirit that is within us when we are being spiritually fed, then we will speak and say "amen" or "that's right". Actually I say both. But there are as many amens coming from the rest of the pews as there are from the amen corner.

This is certainly not meant to be an ego booster for the pastor, nor does he want it to be. Rather it is an endorsment for the gospel message which God has given him.

God bless and when you see my son's mother in law tell her Pa said hello

 

lol.

I have heard "break it down".

I have heard "That's right".

And of course, "amen".

I say, "you got that right."

We don't have a lot of "amens" atI this church I attend now, but we do talk to the preacher a little during the sermon.


I find it interesting in black churches where the preacher ends up "singing" his sermon.

 

ITA. We don't have an 'amen corner' per se. Both men and women have been heard to say, "Amen", "That's right", "Preach it, brother", and "C'mon now".

It is not disruptive to the service and certainly not to the Pastor who says, "It's like saying sic 'em to a dog".

When you go to church, you are supposed to get you 'cup filled'. If you don't...turn your cup over!

Sue