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What do you think about applause after a praise and worship song?

WIP said:
I guess in some respects I can understand an applause as an act in approval of a message but I have a difficult time believing that is the primary reason people applaud a musical performance.
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You and me, both, bro.
 
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I had an interim pastor (PhD and head of apologetics for the Baptist college of Florida) preach/teach a sermon to my congregation on this subject once. His point was to consider the who/what/when direction of your applause after our worship songs (Biblically speaking). Basically he was making the point not to clap in appreciation of the performer's talent (or lack thereof as the case may be). But if you do, it should be applause for the message itself and not the performer's talent, ever.

And yes, you guessed it. The congregation continued (continues) to applaud more/louder for the better talent and yet that awakward/obligatory clap after the rest. I don't think they got the point. It personally doesn't interfer that much with my worship experience, though. Just a little.

And I've visited one or two contemporary mega churches worship services while traveling (just to see for myself). It's basically an all out talent concert with all the trimmings. But boy, some sure have the talent. It's quite obvious the congregation is applauding their talent and I find that distasteful and unbiblical.

But hay, on the otherhand, applauding for the children (as well as the message) after their Christmas musical, seems appropriate to me.
 
chessman said:
I had an interim pastor (PhD and head of apologetics for the Baptist college of Florida) preach/teach a sermon to my congregation on this subject once. His point was to consider the who/what/when direction of your applause after our worship songs (Biblically speaking). Basically he was making the point not to clap in appreciation of the performer's talent (or lack thereof as the case may be). But if you do, it should be applause for the message itself and not the performer's talent, ever.

And yes, you guessed it. The congregation continued (continues) to applaud more/louder for the better talent and yet that awakward/obligatory clap after the rest. I don't think they got the point. It personally doesn't interfer that much with my worship experience, though. Just a little.

And I've visited one or two contemporary mega churches worship services while traveling (just to see for myself). It's basically an all out talent concert with all the trimmings. But boy, some sure have the talent. It's quite obvious the congregation is applauding their talent and I find that distasteful and unbiblical.

But hay, on the otherhand, applauding for the children (as well as the message) after their Christmas musical, seems appropriate to me.
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Great point.
My autistic granddaughter had a piano recital over the past weekend. She plays with only one hand and very simple songs.
The people there clapped more for her than for others.
It made me :crying
 
I church hopped a lot through the decades and experienced applause oriented worship services at a few churches. My gut reaction was " this is inappropriate ", but, I've known churches where music was prohibited. At both extremes, I believe error exists and yet I think somewhere in the middle is correct. But I don't believe a worship service is a place for "talent show" type performances. Those types of performances should be reserved for concerts, recitals etc
 
chessman said:
And yes, you guessed it. The congregation continued (continues) to applaud more/louder for the better talent and yet that awakward/obligatory clap after the rest. I don't think they got the point.
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I've been thinking this thread is really just going to make people clap all the more. :lol

chessman said:
But hay, on the otherhand, applauding for the children (as well as the message) after their Christmas musical, seems appropriate to me.
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Definitely.
 
Jethro Bodine said:
I've been thinking this thread is really just going to make people clap all the more. :lol
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It wouldn't surprise me. I think his discussion/teaching did in our case. But we were close (still are) and his point was definitely your point. I think people just misunderstood him. He was gracious though. He led people from where they were at in a loving manner. If we all acted perfectly 100% of the time, then we'd live in a perfect world. One day.

Good OP, BTW.

Love ya, brother!
 
Jethro Bodine said:
Reebs, you're old school Pentacostal, right?
What do they call that break they take in the middle of a sermon when emotions get real high and the pastor stops talking and cuts the congregation loose to stomp, and praise and run all over the place? That is so awesome! I mean when it's for real.
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Dont know if there ever was a 'name' for it.. Seen it often...
Struggling to find the best words... When one has been around that, if you are into the Lord as opposed to 'church' you can 'feel ' 'know' the real from the fake... Sadly exciting 'church' often fills the coffers.. Reminds me of Granny Alexander she did not believe it was 'church' if she was not stomping to "I'll Fly Away... Not looking for the sensational side of "church' coast dad his church... Yet dad&mom were Pentecostal

The scriptures teach us abundant ways of worship... David danced ... Psalms says make a joyful noise.. .. and be still and know that i am God... Mary washed His feet with her hair.. The hushed quiet that comes over a place..
 
Why everyone is at church worshipping God on sunday, im at the pub eating and drinking with sinners.

I bet the first thing that would come to peoples mind would be ungodly sinner, I tell you why, the truth is when people follow in the way of the Pharisees they think they are righteous and everyone else is a sinner.

I was like that.
 
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kiwidan said:
Why everyone is at church worshipping God on sunday, im at the pub eating and drinking with sinners.

I bet the first thing that would come to peoples mind would be ungodly sinner, I tell you why, the truth is when people follow in the way of the Pharisees they think they are righteous and everyone else is a sinner.
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You should find a church, then report back to us about whether or not they applaud during the worship service.

Here I found a church for you:

(From their web site: http://www.cncfnz.org/music_ministry.php)

"The Music Ministry is the heart of worship. They are called and anointed with a humble heart to touch God’s heart through worshipping in spirit and in truth. They usher and invite God’s people into worship and experience the presence and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They serve their purpose by utilizing God’s given talentsand skills in praising and worshipping God.

The Psalmist say “make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him and bless His name!” (Psalm 100: 1-2, 4)

The Worship team leads the congregation into an atmosphere of worship allowing the presence of the Holy Spirit to move freely and fill every heart and soul. The infilling and outpouring of the Holy Spirit is manifested through the songs, dancing and leaping, clapping and praising the Lord. They serve the Lord through their beautiful voices for the glory of God."​
 
Jethro Bodine said:
You should find a church, then report back to us about whether or not they applaud during the worship service.

Here I found a church for you:

(From their web site: http://www.cncfnz.org/music_ministry.php)

"The Music Ministry is the heart of worship. They are called and anointed with a humble heart to touch God’s heart through worshipping in spirit and in truth. They usher and invite God’s people into worship and experience the presence and outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They serve their purpose by utilizing God’s given talentsand skills in praising and worshipping God.

The Psalmist say “make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him and bless His name!” (Psalm 100: 1-2, 4)

The Worship team leads the congregation into an atmosphere of worship allowing the presence of the Holy Spirit to move freely and fill every heart and soul. The infilling and outpouring of the Holy Spirit is manifested through the songs, dancing and leaping, clapping and praising the Lord. They serve the Lord through their beautiful voices for the glory of God."​
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Yes. Im not accusing its just because i went through a stage and i have seen the witness that many Christians when they first come to the faith get convicted by the Law of God and then start following it and so look at themselves as following God and everyone else on the outside is a sinner. Its just like the Pharisees who thought they were righteous and following God and didn't even recognise Christ, he was the crooked man drinking and eating with sinners.

Being baptized up at the alter, the harvest of souls, offering souls as firstfruits.

I did go to church once. I really liked the music and everyone singing in harmony praising the Lord. It really was nice and was overwhelming for me to have fellowship because I was a believer but never had fellowship. That was about the only good thing.
 
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