Platform Druthers

[Blubayou]

In conversation with a friend of mine yesterday, she said her sons,( 24 and years old) both actively involved in the church, do not feel that the ministers should sit on the platform during the worship service. They feel that the ministers should be seated with the congregation during worship service. Is this a trend with the younger generation? Is this done in other churches? What say ye? I feel so old!!!!!!!

[Pragmatist]

I like it when they sit in the congregation. In some churches, it's like the ones on the platform are royalty, looking down on the peons.

[RandyWayne]

The fact that they are UP there doesn't bother me in the least, what does is when they are situated front and center and we get to see every little facial expression and the guest speaks.

[Jack Shephard]

I used to sit on the platform at my previous church it did not feel right. I tend to lean to the left on this. I lean toward the more youthful churches. The church I attend now all the ministers sit on the front row. I think that with the pastors and leaders being on the platform is pointless unless it is at a district function where seat may be limited.

Some of the pastors and leaders like sitting up there cause it gives them more power. "I am up here you are down there and that gives me authority over you." IMO

[Blubayou]

Originally Posted by Pragmatist

I like it when they sit in the congregation. In some churches, it's like the ones on the platform are royalty, looking down on the peons.

This was the take that my friend's sons had. I just had never thought of it before. It has never bothered me and I have never heard anyone express dislike for this custom.

[delta soundman]

My pastor sits on the front row during the praise and worship. It was wierd to begin with but it grew on me. He walks back and shakes vistors hands sometimes during the singing. Makes me feel like he is more personable.

[pelathais]

A front pew should be reserved for visiting speakers. I never felt comfortable sitting up on the platform during the worship service. In some places you felt that you were being exibited as a specimen or something. In other places you felt like you were set up there to set the tempo of the service and that made it hard to find out where the people were at.

I noticed that the more experienced preachers always would try and find a seat in the congregation and avoid being dragged up onto the platform. They knew that they were not supposed to be the focus of the service any how. So why sit there and show off your socks?

[Arphaxad]

My pastor plays the drums or bass, and sometimes leads the song svc.
The rest of the ministers are with the congregation.
Visiting preachers are in the front row, usually, or else with thier family in the congrgation.
The only ones on the platform are singers and musicians.




ARPH doggyrun

[Blubayou]

I like the idea of the pastor shaking hands with visitors during the song service. It looks like this is a growing custom rather than sitting on the platform.
We used to watch our former pastor facial expressions to tell what he thought of the service while he was on the platform. He was very easy to read if you knew him well!!!!!

[rgcraig]

I like them sitting on the first row OR my pastor does the coolest thing on Sunday mornings.

After he has started the service by prayer and turns it over to the praise singers, he goes around the auditorium and greets everyone. He'll shake hands, say a little something, sing, clap his hands on his way to the next section.

It's very personable and I believe it encourages everyone to worship more. He has a very charismatic (as in charisma) personality and you can't help but feel his excitement and enthusiasm.

It's a great way to make the visitors feel really welcomed too. When he makes it around to everyone, he sits on the front row of whichever side he ends up on until it's time for him to speak.

A couple Sunday's ago before service started he was on the platform and said "hello Renda Sue" - talk about feeling welcome - - ha! ha!