Many churches feature many different types of congregation participation during the service. Sometimes this is non-verbal, as when everyone closes their eyes or gets on their knees. Other times, it's verbal, as in singing or recitation of scripture.
I grew up in a very small church, so I always had to participate. If I didn't talk, the absence of my voice was noticeable because we had so few people! But since attending some larger churches, I've realized that often, I'm the only one in my row speaking up. How about you? Do you "Turn to your neighbor and say 'Pastor's preaching tonight!'?" Or do you feel more comfortable worshiping in silence? And what are your reasons for your worship style?
Comments (2)
I'm typically more quiet and reserved than those around me. It's not that I don't participate but when I am I try to not make a show of it. Worship to me is a relationship between the individual and the divine. I can respect the calling to proclaim and exclaim and at times have. In those cases though I don't notice what is going on around.
I think one of the largest influences on my style was that I grew up in a very traditional, reserved church. While I have moved away and now go to a more expressive "modern" church I still believe relationship > religion. The focus during worship is not about others around it's directed between you and God.
I was saddened by a couple services I went to in a large church where during the worship time, I felt like the only one in the congregation signing. Maybe they were content to listen to the praise team. But I couldn't regularly worship at a church like that.