I have been pastoring in one form or another for about twenty-five years. That includes a number of different congregations with different worship styles. But there is something they all have in common.
At some point in the service, someone says some variation of : “Please stand for worship.”
I have said those words many times. Of course we know that not everyone can stand. We don’t expect a person in a wheelchair to get up during the singing of a hymn.
Most people who say that understand that the implicit message is that this is for people who are able to stand. For a long time I was satisfied with that.
Almost ten years ago, I got sick with a disease. I was not pastoring at the time, which was fortunate as I was in no shape to pastor, mentally or physically. One of the symptoms I had was extreme pain in my joints.
When the worship leader asked up to stand, I was physically able to stand. But it wasn’t easy, it was painful, and there was even the possibility I would pass out. Very often, I would just sit during the singing time.
But because we were asked to stand, I did feel self-conscious that I was sitting. I didn’t fear that the worship leader would correct me in front of the congregation. But I did feel uncomfortable.
Because of that, and from speaking to others who may have joint or muscle weakness, I try to take a different approach when I introduce a song.
I try to say something like: “Please stand if you are able.” There are other variations different people use. The point is that I don’t leave the fact that some people can’t (easily) stand for the singing implicit.
How do you approach this in your congregation? And if you are a person who struggles to stand, what is helpful for you when it comes to worship instructions?
