Does your church applaude?

maybe not after, but during, I have heard that happen

 

If a department, such as youth, was recognized as spending their semester break helping to rebuild someone's house, or an announcement was made about a 50th anniversary celebration for a couple, there would be no applause? If it were a bunch of "Amen"s, that's the same thing, used in the same way.

 

Sometimes the congregation applauds when certain musicians sing and/or play in my church. It is quite embarrassing that ALL singers or players don't get applause. I would prefer that NNE APPLAUD at any time. If the song is sending a message, a hearty "AMEN" would do just fine.

Former Pastor Chappell even addressed this issue at one time, and people still applauded.

 

Hmmm, seems our church is rather noisy for SBC church. We pretty much applaude everything, from the music to those presenting for Baptism or joining the church, to meeting our budget requirement and quite often if the preacher makes a good point during his message. For us in our rather large church it is a sign that either the Spirit is moving or we as a congregation approve of what has been said or reported.

For a long time our leaders couldn't get any feedback whatsoever from the congregation (well, except those few who always have something to complain about) and so had no way knowing how effective their leadership and ministry was. This is something the last couple of pastors and interims with the agreement of our board of deacons has begun to encourage.

Why I even have it on good authority that at the last budget meeting members of the congregation even got up and asked questions before approving the coming years budget. (I always miss the good stuff!) The mics have always been there, but in the past no one used them. Instead they took the committee's and deacon's word for and approved it. Of course that led to certain accusations of the church being led by the rich folks instead of the congregation which in turn led to turmoil within the church.

I'll take our noisy church any day, if it leads to the members being more secure that the church is being led in the direction it ought to go.

 

I don't see a difference between a bunch of "amens" and an applaude...
Both are feedback that the congregation approves what just happened.

 

That's my point said more succinctly. Except I don't add an 'e' to applaud-- where is that from in all these posts?

 

Methinks that's an English spelling?

 

Methunk you were correct, but me forgot lately. Yet methinks most of those using that spelling ain't limeys.

 

One of your better written posts.

 

"Amen" means "so be it." It is not only used in confirmation of what is being said but often in a worshipful way. For example if a preacher, preaching on the resurrection affirms with power: "and because He lives we live also!" It may provoke an, "Amen!"
--Not just because of agreement, but because of thankfulness and praise to God for His resurrection and our resultant salvation.

On the other hand applause "clapping" is like cheering. Normally it is directed to man. If it is directed to God, God does not need to be cheered. He has need of nothing. If He did, he wouldn't be God. He is not a football player that needs applause, or a drama figure. He is the almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, the Sustainer of all things. He is King of kings, Lord of lords. He is God. He doesn't need our applause; our cheers.

If it is directed to the abiblities of man, the singing, the instrumental playing, the talents of others, then we are taking away the praise that is due only to God. In church God should be praised and God alone. If you want to praise others and clap for them, then hold a talent show.

 

And it's also used antonymous to that. For example, I have heard it said in a sermon, "The average Christian just doens't really know the Word of God," to which there were "Amen"s yelled out. So be it that Christians don't know the Word of God?

"Yeehaw! Jesus is alive!" would also be praise and thankfulness.

I don't mind cheering God.

Right. He doens't need cheers, applause, or Amens.

We sure better be careful, then, the next time anybody asks us if we "need anything," because if we answer "no" we must be saying we are God.

Yes, he wouldn't so lower himself, or he might do something that would cause his brother to fumble.

Or our amens.

That's what it already is. Or else, why does not the entire congregation take turns preaching, singing, and everything else? Because some have learned and practiced to do these better than others, which is a display of talents.

 

Amen!

ICXC NIKA
-

 

:applause:

 

I'm sure DHK appreciates the praise you are giving him.

 

God doesn't "need" anything from us, not even our worship. But He desires it, looks across the globe for those doing it, and created us for it. "Handclaps of Praise" are not my favorite expression either, but I don't downplay others using that expression.

 

we usually have folks applauding after the special song, right before the sermon. Of course i try to convince myself they are actually clapping about getting to hear the message i'm about to preach!:applause:

 

Absolutely right! He desires it; even commands it. But it is not for God's good. He doesn't need it. It is for our own good that God commands us to praise Him. He doesn't need it. He commands us to praise Him because we need to praise Him; we need to thank Him; we need to petition Him; we need to intercede for others as we pray to Him. It is all part of worship to Him. God deserves our worship; He doesn't need It. There is a great difference in deserving, worthy of, and needs. God has need of nothing.

Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

 

Amen, I agree!

 

We applaud anytime someone accepts Christ, or gets baptized.

I can't think of a better occasion to clap our hands as a praise unto God.