Do folks still kneel in church ?

Kneeling is a posture often mentioned in the bible.

Some people will not be able to kneel because of infirmity.

Most people can kneel ...

If one is able to kneel then kneeling before God in church is appropriate.

I've been with Catholics who knelt, Anglicans who knelt, Eastern Orthodox who knelt and prostrated but in all of the evangelical churches I've been to I've never seen kneeling. Maybe one or two people peppered throughout the congregation but not the whole community. It definitely lends to a different mindset.

Darth Bagel said:

I've been with Catholics who knelt, Anglicans who knelt, Eastern Orthodox who knelt and prostrated but in all of the evangelical churches I've been to I've never seen kneeling. Maybe one or two people peppered throughout the congregation but not the whole community. It definitely lends to a different mindset.

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If things have not changed then our Seventh Day Adventist brethren kneel in prayer in church services. I am going of memories of 1980s services I attended while investigating SDAism - it was around the time when the SDA church was lobbying for justice to be given to the Chamberlains following the gaoling of Lindy Chamberlain. The SDA people I knew from chats in their local books shop were rather kind to me while I visited their sabbath services.

WisdomTree said:

It's an Eastern thingy where kneeling symbolises penance which isn't appropriate when Sunday is the symbolism of the Resurrection thus celebration. It is interpreted differently in the West however as kneeling is more of a symbol of respect and submission.

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Ah ok.. that makes sense to me.

I prefer standing, it is way more comfortable on my knees. To show reverence, a simple bow can be used.

During certain times of the year, or in certain situations a full prostration seems appropriate.

GoingByzantine said:

I prefer standing, it is way more comfortable on my knees. To show reverence, a simple bow can be used.

During certain times of the year, or in certain situations a full prostration seems appropriate.

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good point; there's more than kneeling but also various sorts of prostrations ...

Christians who believe in the Real Presence are more likely to kneel at some point during the liturgy. And why the altar rail is vital in Lutheran parishes that don't have kneelers in the pew.

WisdomTree said:

Far Eastern cultures don't seem to do this for some reason.

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How far East?
The Sri Lankan catholics I know kneel. The Vietnamese catholics also.

EvangelCatholic said:

Churches that believe in the Real Presence are more likely to kneel at some point during the liturgy. And why the altar rail is vital in Lutheran parishes that don't have kneelers in the pew.

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Having spent a worshipping in a "church" made out of an old ex-army tent, with bare wooden pallets for floor, usually dusted with sharp bits of coral/gravel, and kneeled for extensive periods on that, kneelers seem a luxury that misses the point. Like "fasting" from meat by eating expensive fine seafood.

At the church I used to go to there was always an altar call where anyone who wished to could come forward to kneel and pray after every service during the last few worship songs. This new church doesn't have the area for that but often the worship leaders and a few in the congregation will kneel to show reverence to God.

ebia said:

Having spent a worshipping in a "church" made out of an old ex-army tent, with bare wooden pallets for floor, usually dusted with sharp bits of coral/gravel, and kneeled for extensive periods on that, kneelers seem a luxury that misses the point. Like "fasting" from meat by eating expensive fine seafood.

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Lutherans kneel on the floor also, perhaps up to Absolution in public confession [especially if the church floor is carpeted

MoreCoffee said:

Kneeling is a posture often mentioned in the bible.

Some people will not be able to kneel because of infirmity.

Most people can kneel ...

If one is able to kneel then kneeling before God in church is appropriate.

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Well, I was at mass this morning at Lourdes and there was an elderly woman with crutches there who managed to spend a good portion of the mass on her knees. No kneelers either. In another chapel, I went in for adoration and they had plain, fixed wooden kneelers. Quite the sight. Then, later, I started up this hill where they had the Stations of the Cross. Shortly after it started, there was a sign that asked us to go the rest of the way on our knees. I said, no way, but now am tempted to go back and give it a try. Problem is, my luggage was stolen off the train and I only have one pair of pants. I am pretty sure I would have worn a hole through them, not to mention I would be covered in mud. Ahh, the life of a pilgrim.

EvangelCatholic said:

Christians who believe in the Real Presence are more likely to kneel at some point during the liturgy. And why the altar rail is vital in Lutheran parishes that don't have kneelers in the pew.

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That is sort of the point. My question would be for those who do not believe in the Real Presence, how do you know what you are bending your knees towards? One would have to be careful or someone could get the false impression that you were worshipping your pastor or whatever else happened to be before them.

ebia said:

How far East?
The Sri Lankan catholics I know kneel. The Vietnamese catholics also.

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Far East, like Korea.

WisdomTree said:

Far Eastern cultures don't seem to do this for some reason.

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The Korean Anglicans in these parts do.

ebia said:

kneelers seem a luxury that misses the point.

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Could be, but when you're as old and creaky as I am you 'preciate 'em all the same.

I would have welcomed kneelers last week. Saw some folks kneeling. Had there been "kneelers" in the "pews" I'd have hit it. As it was, I bowed my head and worshiped.

My parish church (Episcopalian) does..but it is not required.
Some stand and others with disabilities sit.

My church does not have kneelers, but I'd prefer it if we did.

sunlover1 said:

I would have welcomed kneelers last week. Saw some folks kneeling. Had there been "kneelers" in the "pews" I'd have hit it. As it was, I bowed my head and worshiped.

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Some of our priests have brought pillows for Pentecost (we have kneelers, and folks use the carpeted aisles, but the priests have no kneelers).

(We use a padded footstool at home ... aging knees here )