I attended a short worship/communion service today. There were 12 pastors and 5 lay people. Besides being a meaningful service, it was great because several of the pastors had great singing voices and they also were using their "public" voices during the worship, even as 11 of them were in the pews. So the Amens and other prayer words were loudly proclaimed.
Could it be that pastors wish that the usual lay people in the pews would speak up more?
Perhaps they just mean it!
ReplyDeleteYES!! There is nothing better than having a congregation actually respond!
ReplyDeleteYes, Yes, Yes.
ReplyDeleteI wish more people in the congregation were enthusiastic ...
that they would seem excited to be in the Lord's House ...
That they would sing, speak, and proclaim as if it is the most important message in the world.
Sometimes, a pastor can affect the mood. A pastor who is barely there will produce an uninterested congregation. But the pastor can only do so much.
Yes, the pastor can only do so much. I think the musician(s) actually affect the response even more. Does the musicial "lead" with the music or only play along? Does the music (tempo, spirit, etc.) seem in keeping with the type of message of a hymn?
ReplyDeleteHowever, some pastors/musicians will have times set aside to help the people learn the liturgy or a new hymn. Or the choir will be taught the new music so that there is some support for the congregation.
But sitting in the front and looking out, I'm always amazed at the particular people who don't participate outwardly in the service. I can't judge what is in their heart and mind. But a number of regulars who work hard in the church don't even open the hymnals. I always wonder if there is some sense of lack of self-worth, self-esteem, or some reason why they think their voices shouldn't join in with the group.
Also, the teens, even those I know are in the school choir, rarely sing. When I was young, I always sang with the hymns in church.
I think there could be an improvement, maybe a small one, with some teaching about participating.
Ditto what everyone else said. There is nothing as disheartening as half-hearted congregtional response. As in when the lessons are read, the lector says, "The word of the Lord" and the people mumble "Thanks be to God." Wow, not much excitement there.
ReplyDeleteAs a pastor with a pretty atrocious singing voice, I appreciate singing hymns with a group of pastors, most of whom love to sing and sing out loud. I just don't add much to the mix!
ReplyDelete