MMF - Applause in the church?

T.N., Dude, wazzup with your name? Can't you shorten your code name, to like spud, sam or yo? This Theological Neophyte bizness is a bit much. Anyway, just a suggestion.

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS.

1. YES.

2. WOULDN'T DARE

SPAM

P.S. Some people's feathers will ruffle over the smallest change of a service. I've seen many go visit a church, maybe for a revival or special something, and be "offended" because their order of service differs from what they are used to. {It is good to tag these folks pharisee and be done with it.}

Now don't misunderstand, I believe church should always have order and proceed decently, that's scriptural. But, some folks just need to build a bridge and get over it. These same folks, if heaven they make, will spend the first 1000 years learning how to worship, I imagine.

 

No, I don't believe it is acceptable, because applause takes the focus off of worship and on to the one they are applauding.

As a pianist and occasionally a soloist , (though I don't know why) I am embarrassed when applauded afterwards. Worship services are supposed to focus on the Lord.

The appropriate response should be one of silent meditation on the words and their meaning , or perhaps an Amen.

After the service, it is always polite to thank the musician for their hard work and tell them that it was a blessing to you.

The best time to instruct an audience about when to applaud and when not to, is before. It is always embarrassing to the folks who may have applauding ignorantly to be called down immediately after the fact. If you remind them that the reason is not because the person isn't worthy of applause, but the the Lord is more worthy and the focus of worship should be on him, most will understand.

 

I grew up in churches that didn't applaud but I've been asked to sing in churches where I was applauded. I honestly never even thought about it being right or wrong, I just tried to accept it graciously in the spirit in which it was meant.

What's the difference between applauding special music and after the serice saying, "nice sermon pastor/father"?

I don't look for applause when I play or sing in church but I think it's good for all of us to hear an 'attaboy once in a while.

Mike

[ October 23, 2001: Message edited by: Smoke_Eater ]

[ October 23, 2001: Message edited by: Smoke_Eater ]

 

I have been in both situations. I understand all the arguments. At this point I don't have a problem either way. Our Pastor says feel free to calp is you wish. Feel free NOT to clap if you wish. There is no obligation/requirement either way. The "clappers" use the Psalms to advocate their position. The "non-clappers" use the "do all to the glory of God---not with eyeservice as menpleasers" verses. Let every one be fully persuaded in their own minds. It really is a non-issue when other things are so much more important...

 

1. I don't engage in applauding someone who has sung/performed a special song, but I have been in places where they do. I don't find it particularly offensive, but it seems a little out of place to me.
2. I would like to see us go beyond the issue of whether to applaud or not, and how to instruct a congregation not to applaud. I feel we should spend some time thinking about the whole mindset of special music in church. Though I am loathe to believe that all who engage in special music are merely doing it for entertainment value, I am afraid that we have to some degree unconsciously given over to a spirit of entertainment in the musical portions of our church services. Why is it that we desire to hear a solo, a quartet, or the choir rather than the entire congregation singing?

 

rlvaughn,

We do special music in our church for the same reason we might have different congregants read scripture or offer the benediction.

I don't do it to entertain (although as an entertainer, I hope that they are entertained), I do it as a ministry.

When I'm asked to sing or play in church, I'll always ask the preacher ahead of time what he's going to preach on so I can see if I have a song that backs up his message.

Our evening services are a little different. They're very laid back and if I can get someone to clap or sing along, I like to do that not to bring any sort of glory to me, but to get them involved. People all too often see church as a spectator sport and I think that's why we have so many dead churches today.

 

If I clap, it's for the message that was presented (you know, giving God a hand). Last sunday, I sang a solo in a choir special, the people clapped, but I pray it was for God. I was singing a song called "We all Need Jesus".

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Joy:
No, I don't believe it is acceptable, because applause takes the focus off of worship and on to the one they are applauding.

As a pianist and occasionally a soloist , (though I don't know why) I am embarrassed when applauded afterwards. Worship services are supposed to focus on the Lord.

The appropriate response should be one of silent meditation on the words and their meaning , or perhaps an Amen.

After the service, it is always polite to thank the musician for their hard work and tell them that it was a blessing to you.

The best time to instruct an audience about when to applaud and when not to, is before. It is always embarrassing to the folks who may have applauding ignorantly to be called down immediately after the fact. If you remind them that the reason is not because the person isn't worthy of applause, but the the Lord is more worthy and the focus of worship should be on him, most will understand.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If applauding should not be done because it "takes the focus off worship," then why is it "always polite to thank the musician for their hard work and tell them it was a blessing to you?" If the after-effect is not continuing worship but something that "takes the focus off worship," what makes it so polite? You are affirming that person's talent and/or effort whether by applauding or by 'thanking' them later (and either way, of course, it can be phony). What makes one unacceptable, but the other more personalized way 'polite?'

Furthermore, have you noticed that the songs which get the most and the loudest 'Amen's-- which is alright, you say-- are the songs where the singers show the greatest voice range and have the boldest, pushiest lyrics? The 'Amen's are in response to these qualities, and they are acceptable; but clapping, also in like response, is not acceptable? That is not consitent.

 

EXCELLENT POINTS, ROCK! Are we not again seeing where we are SO inconsistent in our independent Baptist churches? This is just one of myriads of examples of blatant inconsistency. When will we wise up?

 

I can see both sides to this. However, I do not see anything wrong with applause to the singing or other special things in the service. It's the same to even say amen to the pastor's sermon when he makes a good point, you're not lifting him high but the message and the point that you agree on.

Personally I have hated sitting in churches where the singer sings an amazing song with a message to bless your socks off and you want to stand up and scream YES AMEN PRAISE YOU JESUS but afterward everything is silent and no one makes a sound...grrrrr sorry pet peeve of mine heheh.

Karen

 

Special music is not entertainment, but is for worship of God, by the one presenting the music, but also for the ones listening to it, it is encouragement for those listening to it. I know many times God has spoken to my heart through the music at church.
I, myself do not applaude, I do not applaude anything, or anywhere, never have, don't know why, something from my childhood,, I think. But I don't see any problem with it, it is not for the one singing, but for the one being sung too. It in it's self is worship of God, if you are applauding because of Him. The song just got done praising Him, and your are applauding the being pasised, not the one doing the praising. So if your priorities in worship service are in order there is nothing wrong with applauding God.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SPAM:
{It is good to tag these folks pharisee and be done with it.}<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I really, really wish folks would stop calling other folks pharisees when they don't fit the true mold of a pharisee. Same thing for calling folks legalists.

I think that the Scriptures teach us that the problem with pharisees and legalists was that they were trying to make clean the outward with no thought of the inward filth.

Just because someone is offended or feels that the order of service isn't Biblical is no reason to brand them pharisees or legalists.

I am one of those who feels that applause is out of place in the worship service. I sing solos and I cringe every time folks clap after I sing. I just can't help how I feel. I do not have peace that it is right, and I cannot, in faith, clap after someone sings. . . and it has nothing to do with "how things used to be done".

So, please, I do beg of you . . . don't label others or brand them with names that do not even fit them.

 

Rockfort, if you knew me, you would understand that for me there isn't an inconsistancy. I get equally embarrassed at loud, obnoxious Amens that I know aren't meant for the Lord but for my ability.

I know my admitting this will be met with criticism, but I haven't done a really fancy-wow-wow arrangement in a long time, simply because I can't handle the admiration.

Sure everyone admires wonderful talent, and it is ok to recognize that! I just prefer that the focus be on the Lord during a worship service. I also prefer to save admiration for someone other than the Lord for afterwards. The Lord deserves His own special time where no one else is praised.

 

I sing in my church's choir & perform solo & duets with other members. When I hear applause I think that the congregation has missed the point. The glory should be God's, & applause puts it on the performer. I would rather hear a loud "AMEN", or "Praise the Lord". I'm trying to get the nerve to talk with my pastor about this.

 

Applause is just another piece of the world that has crept into the church.

 

Curtis Rathburn said:

I would rather hear a loud "AMEN", or "Praise the Lord". I'm trying to get the nerve to talk with my pastor about this.

I don't believe there is any significant difference between a bunch of "amens" and applause. In both cases it's little more than an emotional response to stirring music. I have yet to see the amenners react in a significantly different way than the applauders.

 

This is a subject that has haunted my mind for years. My personal belief is that anything done in the sanctuary as part of the worship service is to the glory of God, not to the ego of man. Some folks in my church applauded when I re-joined my home congrgation after living out of state but it has diminished.
There are times that I feel it is appropriate. For example: a landmark anniversary of a married couple; an attained goal by a member trying to lose weight; a youth completing a walk-a-thon; etc. These were personal achievements, not part of the orderly worship.
On the other hand, I'm so conservative that I would also rip the cushions up off of the pews and turn off the air-conditioner if it were up to me...

- Clint

 

&lt; On the other hand, I'm so conservative that I would also rip the cushions up off of the pews and turn off the air-conditioner if it were up to me... &gt;

You like to put everyone on the hotseat, do you?

 

I am not sure what the big fat hairy deal is, but I think it is a matter of attitude.

I personally do not applaude unless I feel the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and then I do applaude, to the praise of God.

When our church applaudes, for the most part, it is directed towards the praise of God, Not everyone claps, but so what? Not everyone doesn't clap, but so what?

Some raise their hands in worship.