Pounding

{{Short description|Ritual in Christianity}}

{{for|the song|Pounding (song)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

File:Vieux presbytère de Deschambault 02.jpg of a church.]]

Pounding is a ritual in Christianity in which a new priest or minister is given gifts by members of the congregation of that church at which he is assigned to preach.{{cite web |last1=Ross Jr. |first1=Bobby |title=Why ‘pounding’ the new minister is a good thing |url=https://christianchronicle.org/why-pounding-the-new-minister-is-a-good-thing/ |work=The Christian Chronicle |language=English |date=27 October 2016}} The practice can be traced back to at least the 19th century, when communicants of a church visited the parsonage and dropped off a pound of an item of food, such as "coffee, sugar, flour or honey." When dropping off items to help the new clergyman out, congregants would spend time with him, also getting to know his family in cases of Christian denominations that permit married clerics. The practice of pounding takes place across Christendom, in the countries of Africa as well as those of North America.{{cite web |last1=DuBose |first1=Mike |title='Pounding' a pastor: Great ideas for welcoming |url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/pounding-a-pastor-great-ideas-for-welcoming |publisher=The United Methodist Church |accessdate=28 October 2019 |language=English |date=2018}} It is done throughout many Christian denominations, including the Methodist, United Brethren, and Quaker traditions, among others.{{cite web |last1=Schaumann |first1=Merri Lou |title=The Custom of “Pounding” |url=https://gardnerlibrary.org/encylopedia/custom-%E2%80%9Cpounding%E2%80%9D |publisher=Gardner Digital Library |accessdate=28 October 2019 |language=English |date=2014}}