Remembering to ask the congregation to stand…or to sit often reminds me of the banality of our worship. Or better yet…humbles me at the desire of a congregation to be led well in worship! I’ve been helping to lead worship for a congregation that is new to me, and we’re still learning to speak and listen well to each other.
Last sunday got me thinking a bit about our posture in worship. I have heard a few great reflections on why we stand in worship and thought I would pass them on.
1. Standing is the posture of victory
Our Savior rose victorious from the tomb. Our first images of the resurrected Christ are a standing, walking Lord on the move with the gospel hope. In our worship we reflect the victory we share in Christ by standing to worship Him.
2. Standing is the posture of pilgrimage
The book of Acts is the story of a church on the move. Jerusalem, samaria to the ends of the earth…until the savior returns to complete all things. Standing reminds us that we are aliens and strangers in this world, and that part of our gospel obedience is to journey into all the nations with the good news.
3. Standing is the image we are given of heavenly worship
if we turn the page to Revelation 7:9 we see ‘a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the lamb.’
4. Standing lends itself to a more heartfelt projection of heart and voice.
Singing is uniquely suited to standing. Our diaphragm, our lungs, and our voices all work better when we are standing. This benefits us, the congregation and our Lord who sings with us.
If you ever have the opportunity visit an orthodox congregation. They stand for their entire service, which are often quite long. I once worshipped with a friend at an Orthodox church where the service was almost 2hours. We stood for the entire time. The young and the old. It was glorious as I thought of the heavenly saints before the throne.
good stuff! thanks for sharing