The Lone Stander

There's one type of worshipper in a worship service who drives me bonkers.

This person's endless, untethered, and passionate devotion to worshipping God leaves me feeling...well, uncomfortable and undeserving.

This person is the first to stand to worship without being told to. They force everyone to make a decision for themselves. To comfortably worship sitting down or to worship standing up.

You've experienced the Lone Stander before. 

Many church service styles do not lend themselves for the mutiny of the Lone Stander. But you have experienced the effects of one, if you've ever been present during an undeserved standing ovation.  

Typically, after the first two songs a pastor has everyone sit down, so that they can give any important happenings. The worship band starts to play slowly, while the pastor prepares the people for the offering. 

The worship leader starts to sing the slow Tomlin song.

The ushers start making their way back row by row.

After the ushers get about halfway, someone stands and starts joining in with the worship leader.

Everyone annoyingly glares at them. 

The Lone Stander is attempting mutiny. Everyone knows that only a pastor or a person with a microphone can direct people to sit and stand. They speak for God.

It's time to make a decision. 

Do you stand to worship? Or do you remain seated comfortably in the pew that you had to fight for this morning?

Of course what determines your decision is what your neighbors do. Too many of them stand and you have to fight gravity as well. Otherwise, everyone will be wondering what is the matter with you (which can end you up on some kind of prayer list). 

I went to a church this weekend with around eighteen hundred in the worship service. 

It was my first time there. Of course I was camping out in the back of the church during the offering when I saw a lady stand. 

The Lone Stander. 

I nervously began scanning the place seeing if anyone else was going to stand. 

No one did. 

It was freaking awesome! I love this church! 

After the song, the worship leader took his rightful place and told everyone to stand and worship. I worshipped like I had never worshipped before.

Question:

What do you think about Lone Standers in your church? Are you a Lone Stander?