I am a member of a non-denominational church, we believe in raising our hands etc. when praising the Lord ...?

Question

We have times that we share our religious services with other local churches of different denomations. On one ocassion we all met at a Baptist church and were praising the Lord in our way. After the service we were having a meal with the other folks and a woman who was a member of the Baptist church came to me and said "I love that you all praise the Lord by holding up your hands etc., but our pastor does not allow that in our church. I do believe that if you are not disorderly etc. that you should be able to Praise Him the way you do in your home church. What do you think of the actions of this Pastor?

Answer 1

Weeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YeeHaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is nothing wrong with praising the Lord with hands
raised High, there is nothing wrong with praising the Lord with
song or dance. and there is nothing wrong with praising the Lord
if you are tone deaf. A-men!
All I can say is pray for this pastor! He might be a stuff-shirt!

Answer 2

I think those actions are not right. I personally don't praise that way. I come from a Baptist Church where only recently did someone start raising their hands to praise. A lot of the older members and some of the younger ones were surprised. I think a lot of them are so caught up in THEIR traditions that they don't realize that praise is praise and all is good in the eyes of the Lord.

One way I had it explained is this way: Think of a child when they want/need their parent. They come up to them and raise their hands. And that's what some people are doing to their "Father".

I just can't imagine a pastor saying that he doesn't "allow" it at his church. It's not "his" church. It's God's church and the people's place to worship.

I'm sorry you were made to feel this way.

Answer 3

I think that the Pastor was being rather close-minded, of course. I also attend a non-denominational church in which several members occasionally raise one or two hands when praising the Lord. I do not; I would feel a bit uncomfortable doing that because I was raised in a church where "they just don't do that sort of thing". I wish that I didn't feel so self-consious, but I think it's cute the way my four year old (who can't read the words on the overhead projector, and thus cannot sing the songs) will see some people in front of her with their hands raised, and she will raise her hand too. "Our Pastor does not allow that in our church"... I think that is rather sad. Not sad as in pathetic, but sad as in the opposite of happy. The Pastor needs to understand that not everyone can feel close to God and Jesus Christ by singing the same old (and I mean OLD) hymns with the same tired organ, with the congregations' hands clasped in front of them. OK, OK, I clasp my hands behind my back. I can't help it! But I still feel the music, and singing those songs while thinking of what they mean oftentimes sends shivers up my spine!

Answer 4

I think the Pastor is going against the written word of God. My church also lifts our hands in worship. It shows submission to the spirit of the Lord. Tell the Pastor to go read Psalms 63:4, 28:2 and my favorite Psalms 134:2 - Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord. He should also read Lamentations 3:41 and there are others scriptures that back this. Keep up the good work and worship the Lord in your own way.

Edit - that Pastor may not want to do something that he does not understand. He may be afraid to show that much emotion.

Answer 5

Various denominations have thier own custons on prayer and ways to have religious service.

Also even within denominations varius churches have had thier own custons and traditions for years.

If you are in some of the more "southern and also black" baptist and even Methodist Churches, you will hear the congregation saying Amen, having some holding thier hands up. But many others will be what is called "HIGH CHURCH" they are more strict on certain more strict services.

I beleive this pastor is merley following the rules and behavior that he was taught and that he belives is proper within the rules of his denomination.

For example, your actions would not be very accepted in let say a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, some denominations prefer you kneel in prayer.

So you should also respect the beliefs of the Churches you visit

Answer 6

A lot of times it's not that the pastor will not allow it, it is the establishment of that church does not appear to endorse the practice. I grew up in a Baptist church and we never really raised our voices in praise.
Because of the pastor? No, it was because that's the way things were and no one wanted to rock the boat and try something new.
So be careful when assigning blame. It may be no one has dared to praise in that way.

Answer 7

The Pastor was for some reason not taught to do that so doesn't have a faith in that area. I obey the Bible where it says lift up holy hands. I came out of a Baptist church and they didn't do that, but I am so glad that I have the liberty to praise and worship lifting hands ..
1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Answer 8

I say to each his own. Some people are uncomfortable with hand waving and speaking in tongues. They find it very "disorderly" and undignified and as appropriate for worship as doing "the wave" in the sanctuary. Other people are uncomfortable with incense, women in slacks, statues, weekly communion, christening, candles, or using musical instruments during a worship service. We all have different beliefs, boundaries, and personalities, and it is not our place to judge another person's "worship style" as long as that attempt at worship is sincere.

Think about this, would people in your church look askance if I brought incense and maybe a figurine of the Virgin Mary into your church to enhance my worship experience? You might think, "I find honoring the Virgin Mary and using incense to be 'NOT BIBLICAL'. My objection, therefore is valid." That's fine, too, but consider this, maybe that Baptist minister feels, right or wrong, that "raising your hands, etc." in worship is not Biblical. I know many fundamentalists who think that speaking in tongues is NOT BIBLICAL. (When speaking in tongues occured in the Bible, there was someone there to interpret it. If no one understands the tongues, what's the point? This is these "anti-speaking in tongues" folks' rationale.)

Bottom line, I'm sure we all worship God inadequately. We are, after all, imperfect creatures. And for the record, I'm all for lifting your hands, etc. You do what YOU feel is right and let God sort it out.

Answer 9

Jesus Christ is the church. Raising your hands towards the heavens to praise the Lord is not a sin, and should be allowed. If the pastor of the Baptist church does not want anyone to do that, he will lose patrons. Please don't judge that church unless you are ready to be judged yourself.

Answer 10

The Word says:Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

It didn't give a specfic way of praising Him,it just say,Praise Him.No matter whether you are lifting your hands,running,jumping and shouting,just praise HIM! And for that Pastor,just pray,that the Lord would enlighten his understanding,through HIS word.May God keep you.

Answer 11

If you check your Bible it states that "they Praised the Lord thru singing and dancing". I just checked my concordance and there are probably hundreds of verses regarding "Praising" the Lord. I go to the same "type" of church where the Spirit leads you in your worshp.Ask your Preacher for a biblical reference. I know there are many, I just can't seem to find the specific one I'm looking for.