“Please, Be Seated?” 

By 
Bruce Stumbo
03/01/2024

I did it just a couple days ago: We were moving into the closing song of the service, and I decided to sit and sing. It was fine. Not just fine, I found my closing expression through the lyrics of the song and the melody that we sang together was enhanced by not standing up, but simply sitting there, head bowed (I knew the song so didn’t need the words on the wall) and enabled by this posture to receive the encouragement of the message of the music and then the closing prayer of the service in a more meditative and, to me, more personal way. 

I may be stirring up some controversy. I hope not. Not my intention. But I have what is, for me, a valid question regarding “worship posture.” I’ll start with a leading question: In order to worship while singing, do we have to stand up? 

Now, I know that most worship leaders graciously give the option to remain seated by making the statement, “As you are able, please stand as we worship…” or something similar. That’s a good thing to say, especially when you (the leader) know that you have some who are not able to stand for periods of time—or, perhaps, at all. What I’m wondering is, what if I just don’t want to stand? 

I’m not suggesting anything here. I really don’t have a message to bring, an axe to grind, or even a request to make…other than this: If you are a worship leader, give some thought to letting people simply sit and sing without the distractions that come from a whole group of people standing up together.  

Just a little food for thought.  

P.S. - The subject of this blog submission reminds me of one of my favorite (older) worship choruses: 

I will stand in the congregation, and I will exalt You. 

I will stand in the congregation, and I will exalt You. 

Let the children of Your salvation lift Your praises too! 

Ha-lay ha-lay lu--jah! 

So, you see? I’m really not against standing, at all. Honest. 

Blessings! 

Bruce Stumbo - North American Mission Ministry Associate

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