Up, Up, and Away...

How many Baptists does it take to raise hands in worship? Two, one to raise his hands and one to make sure the lights are off so no one sees.

I’ve spent most of my life as both a worshipper and a Baptist.
Recently I’ve given thought to the practice of hand-raising in worship, commonly seen as an emotional response/demonstration of praise toward and affirmation of God.

Since emotions play a significant (and legitimate) part of my makeup, I’ve found myself lately inclined toward this public display.
With great hesitation and uncertainty, however, I’ve remained stalwart, keeping my arms and hands fully restrained at my side.

Why don’t Baptists raise their hands in worship?
(And my husband reminds me it is not just Baptists who don’t do this.)

The obvious answer is that likely for many, it has never occurred to them, nor have they felt inclined to. That makes sense.

But why don’t ---as a whole denomination---Baptists who might want to practice this?

I’ve decided NOT to answer for the entire denomination, but I will venture some reasons that I have not, thus far. (Stating them straight out helps to judge their validity.)

1) Historically, Baptists have resisted the emotional and charismatic (as in “Holy Roller” spiritual gift) connections of this display. Personally, I’ve not wanted to appear emotional nor Charismatic, as one of these represents a doctrinal position I don’t hold…and the other purported weakness.

2) I’ve not wanted people to think less of me. (See #1). “Oh, she’s one of them.” “She’s just after attention.” Or “Emotion, it is such a poor base of true worship.”

3) I’ve not wanted to draw attention to myself, to invite focus on me or scrutiny of my choices in worship.

So far, #’s 1 to 3 are about what people think of me.

4) Hand raising in today’s culture is commonly deemed an emotional response, and when passion is typically perceived as inferior, if not carnal, and not representative of real love, I’ve deduced that this display is then frowned upon in public worship.

5) I’ve not wanted to distract from another’s attention and worship toward God, nor divert concentration from what is going on in the service. A lone hand-raiser will stand out and be noticed.

Ok…#4 is a copout. Where does the Bible say that the part of me that is emotional is weak, inferior, that passion (in itself) is carnal?! If who God made me includes my emotions, then couldn’t they appropriately have a part in my worship (with restraint & discretion as redeemed passions)?

Which brings me to #5 – This is the sole, legitimate reason upon which I rest my hand-raising restraint; this reason holds ground (for me) in my local assembly where hand raising remains unpracticed.

So I continue to ponder….
I raise my hands in personal worship quite frequently. Would it offend another brother or sister in the assembly if I did it this Sunday morning in public?

Maybe I’d be wise to move to the back row.
(I wouldn’t want to make an usher bee-line to turn off the lights.)