We've been doing contemporary worship for nine years at LFMC, and I'm still amazed when it seems like some people aren't sure how to behave in worship. I know that some of us were raised in churches where it was considered inappropriate to applaud, even after a stirring number by the choir. Those days are gone.
If you're among those who aren't quite sure what is or isn't okay in church, I offer these "rules":
- Clap. It's okay. If you can clap with the beat, clap along during the song. If you have no sense of internal rhythm, watch your neighbor and do what he/she does. If you just can't clap with the beat, clap when the song is over. It's okay! The band knows that you're applauding God, not us!
- Smile, if you feel like it. Or, weep, if that's what the moment is about for you. Either way, it's okay to show your emotion. Worship is emotional stuff. If it bores you, you're not doing it right.
- Yes, you can lift your hands. It has always struck me as odd that when we sing a chorus like, "So we raise up holy hands, to praise the Holy One," there are, like, three hands up in the whole sanctuary. Go ahead--it's not weird, and people don't care. Nobody is going to stare at you or think you're a nut. When you read the worship poetry of the Jews (Psalms), it's hard to imagine people not raising their hands in worship.
- Move. Yes, I just said that. You can move your feet. You can put your body into worship--it's okay. If the knowledge of God's love and presence makes you want to dance, then dance!
Places of worship should be the loudest, most exciting places on the planet when God's people gather to worship him. We're going to be worshiping him together for all eternity--we should be practicing now!
