Standing on the inside

Last Sunday i did something i don't normally do. In truth, the courage to do it only struck me a few hours earlier and i debated if i would actually go thought with it... but...

I invited people to respond to the sermon by standing.

Sure, it wasn't ground-breakingly ingenious, but it did have an element of risk.

Would people be more concerned with the awkwardness of rising, or giving their whole lives to God (the response to the message)? Even though i invited everyone to close their eyes, would standing an obstacle for those in the congregation?

Upon reflection, i think it was worth the gamble.

Since to the method of responding was unfamiliar to the service, it may have been a slight distraction, but a few arose and later that night a few people told me they were "standing on the inside."

Instead of avoiding the potential awkwardness, perhaps churches need to invite people to step out beyond their comfort zone. Making this something less and less unfamiliar.