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Handshaking while instruments play a verse

Discussion in '2005 Archive' started by timdavis, Oct 9, 2005.

  1. timdavis

    timdavis Guest

    What's with this handshaking time while instruments play a verse? It seems to be so popular in fundamental churches--is it the only way to get church members to interact with one another? This is supposed to be a form of fellowship (shaking hands with ten people in one minute)? If so, then we're in deep do-do. A truly friendly church should not need to have an alloted time to "greet" one another.

    Anybody else share this pet-peeve?

    OT
     
  2. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    In my home church, we have enough visitors that it is a useful practice. Our Pastor, or whoever is in charge during his absence, simply asks for folks to turn to those about them and give them a warm handshake and a word of welcome.
     
  3. Repent62

    Repent62 New Member

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    Unfortunately yes, there is alot of "playing church" going on...but not just in Fundamental churches, but others as well. :(
     
  4. Plain Old Bill

    Plain Old Bill New Member

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    I don't see it as something to get that worked up about. I have met and gotten to know some people with just this very start.
     
  5. bruren777

    bruren777 New Member

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    Every church I've been in over the years (over 35 years)we have had hand shaking, it's not mandatory, some people choose not to shake hands with anyone and thats ok. It's tradition, at times we meet someone new and invite them out for lunch.

    Again, it's just a nice tradition and if you don't want to participate that's fine. Those whom choose not to participate just stay seated.
     
  6. SeekingTruth

    SeekingTruth Member

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    In the church in which I was baptized and hvae been a member for over 30 years, we have always had a time for handshaking. We view it as an opportunity to greet visitors, but to extend "the right hand of fellowship" to our brothers and sisters in Christ. To me it is a most satisfying and joyous way to honor Him.
     
  7. SeekingTruth

    SeekingTruth Member

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    Correction to my earlier post: While I am still a member of that church, I have relocated to a different town. I am looking for a new church. None of the ones I have visited have such a tradition. I miss it.
     
  8. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    After our first 70 minutes we have a short break to collect communion cups, stand and stretch. One grandma ALWAYS brings candy (tootsie rolls today) so feeding the kids sugar. :rolleyes:

    No music (we don't have any) and no handshakes unless you care to. Just stretch. Then 70 more minutes of exposition of the Word and discussion, etc, then dinner.

    We're not into playing games. And sadly that is what most of the hand-shake-while-we-play time is.
     
  9. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    Can anyone say "commercial break"?
     
  10. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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    Handshaking is a nice thing to do. Why complain about it?

    Be friendly. Its alright. You don't "need" a special time to be friendly to people? Some people do. It gets some of the more shy people a good motivation to join in and interact with others without sticking out as the only person doing it.

    So even though you don't "need" such a time, why not take advantage of it with a joyful heart? Really enter into the spirit of it, and it might change your heart about it.
     
  11. USN2Pulpit

    USN2Pulpit New Member

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    That's a pretty high horse you're sitting on, Dr.! [​IMG]
    We have the hand-shaking time, and I love it. I don't consider it "playing games." Lots of churches have their order of service in lots of different ways. So long as the Word goes out, what difference does it make that one body chooses to have a hand-shaking time?
     
  12. Pipedude

    Pipedude Active Member

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    I don't like the handshaking stuff, but I believe that it is right and necessary.

    At our church, the songleader has us do it approximately one Sunday morning out of three, and usually while the choir is leaving the loft and walking to the pews and they need more time to get seated because the last verse of the hymn is finished and the choir is still in transit.

    I think that not having it every week is an excellent idea.
     
  13. Mike McK

    Mike McK New Member

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    I enjoy it. Gives me a chance to say hello to folks I might not get to see, otherwise.
     
  14. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    We never shake hands while the instruments play in Japan. We bow instead. [​IMG]
     
  15. Debby in Philly

    Debby in Philly Active Member

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    More like a seventh-inning stretch.

    From my experience, this is a custom that has been going on for a long time in the RC church - they stop and shake hands with those around them and say "Peace be with you."

    Why you need to do it in a Baptist church where you just spent half an hour standing around drinking coffee is beyond me.
     
  16. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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    Its part of loving the brethren. [​IMG] Isn't that a sign we are supposed to be showing?

    Another thing is, its a great way to be able to say a warm "hello" to those who always come in late and leave as early as they can.

    Share the love, people!

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Pastor_Bob

    Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member

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    It is a wonderful practice. We started it here when I became pastor 5 years ago. Our people love it. We have had numerous visitors tell me, "You sure have a friendly church."

    Worship is the main focus to be sure, but fellowship is an important part as well. Some of our members only see one another here at church. If taking three minutes out of the morning service to shake hands means that more people will get their hands shook, then I'm all for it.
     
  18. FBCPastorsWife

    FBCPastorsWife New Member

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    Amen Bapmom! I have to say I love handshaking time in our church. I have done it in all the churches I have attended and you can really tell the friendliness of a church from something such as this. Our church (which my husband started Jan. 31, 2004) has grown significantly due to 1) the hand of God on the ministry and 2) the extreme friendliness of the people. This friendliness is shown as someone walks in the door but also during our handshaking/fellowship time. Visitors always stop to let me and Jimmy know after the service that it has been an awful long time since they have been in a church that exhibits that much love to people they don't know. I pray we never lose that loving nature.
     
  19. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    For those who don't stand around, late comers, visitors, etc.

    The only draw back is the spread of germs IMO.

    HankD
     
  20. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    I went to a Catholic Church (Roman Catholic).
    It was a Mass of Christian Burial. They had
    a music present hug & handshake time.
    The family of the dearly departed seemed
    to enjoy it.
     
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