If so, how many times, or how often, do you think you've heard it, approximately?
What do you think of when you hear it?
What do you think it's talking about?
What do you think of when you hear it?
What do you think it's talking about?
What are those? Once a sermon starts, everything else stops.So this might include interjections during the sermon
What are those? Once a sermon starts, everything else stops.
That depends on your church culture, doesn't it?
Okay, I'm not knowledgable on this. Do some churches interupt the sermon and then continue the sermon?
All sorts of things happen in different contexts. I've preached in places where the congregation was small and the sermon was more like a small group discussion, with input from others present and sharing of ideas, for example.
If so, how many times, or how often, do you think you've heard it, approximately?
What do you think of when you hear it?
What do you think it's talking about?
Since this is a Worship Ministry forum I'm going to guess you are referencing it on that context. It is simply that - how a congregation responds to a song, set, or part of worship. Do they seem open and freely joining you or are they stiff necked and standing like statues?
I suggest to NOT gauge your ability to lead by the "congregational response" to worship. Doing so would mean you are judging the quality of their worship. If you are called to lead worship, then all you simply have to do is worship Him, and they'll join you. Let your focus be Him, not them. You aren't leading a concert for people - you are worshiping the Lord of all creation!
Of course, as also stated, this phrase "congregational response" means different things to different denominations.
True, but as worship leaders we can set an environment that invites the congregation to respond in worship rather than just watching. What works probably varies depending on the congregational culture. One church we attended found that only slightly dimming the lights and keeping volume at a point where the congregation could easily hear themselves sing resulted in greater participation. There were times where the worship team would stop singing and just let the congregational voices ring out. Music style didn't change - instruments didn't change - still drums, guitars etc. - but those subtle changes had a big impact in leading the congregation.
I like this idea of church; to me congregants should be able to speak up when appropriate. In my church it's so conservative people barely like to say an 'Amen' out loud. Which brings about a common dialogue of the preacher having to punctuate sentences with 'Amen?'. But I reckon that's more to do with our conservative 'British-ness' than our enthusiasm!All sorts of things happen in different contexts. I've preached in places where the congregation was small and the sermon was more like a small group discussion, with input from others present and sharing of ideas, for example.