Agreed this thread seems to be getting pretty long(errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr). [My bad! lol]
Feelings?
Two things: I don't go to church desiring or expecting to be emotionally 'pumped'. However, worship does tend to produce some sort of feelings.... which I think are part of the worship experience.
We're supposed to honor that all things are done decently and in order: That God is not the author of confusion: That our presentation is that of a sound mind: That the purpose is to glorify God, and we do that by respecting in love, the sensitivities of our brethern with whom we worship: Therefore there is a blend of the corperate and cooperation of the individual in the conduct of worship.
I attend a SBC although raised primarily as IFB. In the IFB, there seemed to be an 'amen' corner, here and there, who would add occasional emphasis endorsing a statement made by the pastor, or saying softly 'Preach it!' . Perhaps some might consider this distracting.... as I do when it seems to be indiscriminate and/or disruptive. But in the IFB I seldom saw anyone raise their hands in praise, though the scripture was not avoided in preaching or lessons regarding worship.
At the SBC where I now attend, and a modestlly large congregation, one hardly ever hears an 'amen' or 'preach it brother!', but there are a few scattered throughout that are comfortable lifting up their hands during the singing. Again, this doesn't seem to follow a pattern of habit or instruction but as seems fitting for that portion of the worship.
I noticed that some seem to think 'what about the limbless brother/sister, or one who is parapeligic, and can't raise hands?' Well, what about those who are deaf? Or those who are blind and unaware of their appearance and grimacing? Or those who are musically challenged needing a bucket to hide their off keys, when singing?
Corporate worship means there is some type of order to which the assembly is accustomed to following in general, typically led and directed by the leadership: It doesn't mean we leave our personalities, humanity, and feelings at home. It doesn't mean we copy each other, nor that we exercise our individual liberty with abandon regardless of appropriateness to the order of worship.
I always wondered why Christians will go to football games or soccer, and clap and exercise all kinds of expression, then we enter the building for collective worship, and clam up with our spirit as starched as the clothes we might wear. Furthermore, why to we clap for the pianist, or the special songs as if those who have ministered in such fashion desserve the praise? When I clap at such times it is only when I feel a particular portion of that worship phase spoke to the heart of my spirit. Sorry, Pastor Larry, but I have no way of telling you how I know a particular portion of worship touched my spirit.... or rather I identified with it: It just happens.
Personally, I'm possibly out of order, sometimes, cause the offeratory music....if its an old hymn I know from memory, I'll sing it very softly......cause it says to bring our offerings with thanksgiving and praise. I write my checks with a praise to God on the 'what for line' as a witness to any others who's hands it passes through. Rarely I am moved to lift my hands in worship during a congregational song. Often I will close my eyes, if someone nearby is a distraction either by dress or movement (seldom happens) or if I find myself otherwise preoccupied.... as worship through singing/praise, praying, offering, and listening I do to focus on HIM, not on others with whom I gather.
(Incidentally, there are a few hymns I will not sing because I do not believe every song in a service is a praise from me to God. I do my best to honor the directions of leadership, i.e. stand when they say stand, sit when others sit, and if asked I would raise my hands. What some may see as a problem in discipline, others may view as the refreshing exercise of spontanity and liberty in worhiping our LORD. Is everything supposed to make sense--humanly (logically/rationally) speaking? Even preaching ..... 'by the foolishness of preaching' yet we know preaching is not foolishness thought the world thinks it so: And many of us are grateful 'cause by that fashion the Holy Spirit move upon our hearts instructing us and revealed to us our need for salvation, to which cause Jesus came and gave his life, a sacrifice for my sins....for our sins. At some point, worship is very much an individual experience within a corporate agreement.)
