I used to play the keyboard for a weekly radio program - yes, I said RADIO - and there was a lit sign on the side of the set that would tell the live audience when to applaud and when to keep quiet. Sometimes I think we need one of those in church.
The strangest thing happened yesterday at the end of my weekend message. The congregation - or some of them - started applauding when I was through. Maybe I should have taken it as a compliment, but honestly, it kind of unsettled me.
I'm just not accustomed to that particular response and I'm not sure I want to BECOME accustomed to it. I'm not there to get applause, of course, and I'm not in an emotional state where I need it either. Then ... after my message there was a spiritually moving drama and song and again ... the crowd applauded.
I was coming up to give a call at the very end of all that and as it turned out, I had to follow a set of hand-clapping rather than the drama and song I was hoping to follow. After several of seconds of waiting for the applause to subside, I continued. But I felt it seriously undermined the effectiveness of the powerful drama and song. I know people are just expressing thanks to those who use their gifts but sometimes I think it removes the 'wonder of the moment.' Hand-clapping has just become church's default response to choruses, announcements, songs, and pretty much everything. There are times I think that mere silence and ponder are more appropriate. Unfortunately, it only takes one person, albeit a well-meaning person I'm sure, to start the round of clapping before others automatically join in and the whole spirit of the moment becomes compromised.
I could be 'old school' with that way of thinking, but I honestly believe this is ONE area about which I'd prefer to remain 'old school.'
And be blessed.
11 comments:
...are any of those radio programs out there on a podcast?
i'm with you on this one, keep it old school. in some ways I think applause and public prayer are two of our favorite transitions in the modern church. although I think they are used properly sometimes, a lot of the time(not all the time) prayer is simply used to set a mood, not to talk to God, and applause is used similarly to fill a void rather than express any real emotion. we do them so much, it becomes an uncontrolled, automatic call and response within a service and often detracts from what the spirit is doing or what the service planners intended - or both.
maybe we need a few lessons from the sacred, liturgical, orthodox etc? but then again, I'm happy with the amount of standing up and sitting down I experience right now...and I revel in being the first, loudest or last clap...and public prayer!? what a chance to show off my superior grasp of relevant scripture snippets and christianease. :)
here is an interesting post on the topic:
http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2008/06/274-not-knowing-how-to-do-proper.html
PK
I don't know if I was one of those clappers or not, if so I apologize for messing up the moment.
I can tell you that when I clap it is because I am moved to do so. When I stand and raise my hands and no one else does, same reason.
I love worship and the skit at the end moved me to tears.
I don't know how we can dictate this kind of thing except to let people know that we are here to worship the almighty God, not here for entertainment purposes. They can do that at home with their TV.
Thanks for being honest with us!
d
Dsmith:
I don't know if you were one who did either, I only know that it seems our 'default' response is clapping and little else. I just think we should think about that - AND the 'after-response' it elicits. It is very hard to continue 'mood' with something serious or heartfelt or deep after there has been 10 seconds of 1,000 people clapping. The hard-fought mood that the singer or dramatist worked to form for the past 5-10 minutes is destroyed in 10 seconds. You're right, we can't dictate it - we can't put up a sign that says 'clap now' or 'don't clap, please,' but I'm just trying to get us to think about some of the big picture there. Certainly raising ones hands as another response is good, but whether you do or do not raise your hands has little impcat on the people around you. Starting to clap really does have impact on those around you. Most likely they will join in because that is what we have all been conditioned to do over time. So - just food for thought.
Kevin,
I have to disagree with you on this one. I don't normally, but on this one I will.
Why?
We live in a world that worships religiously in stadiums, concerts, super-bowl parties, etc.... They applause, clap, cheer, shout, the gods of this age. They do it unashamedly & even charge the stages at will. How can people worship Bruce Springsteen??
I think the body of Christ, would do well to begin to cheer, applaud, maybe not charge the stage, but you get the point.:) Spontaneous applause to me, from Christ followers, filled with the Holy Spirit is a sign that people are moved, touched, to worship the One True God! Let em clap, applaud, dance, whatever, because they will worship something somewhere else, and why not have them point their applause toward heaven. Who are we to judge who the applause is for? Where Christ followers gather, by default, when applause is given, I automatically point it to Jesus. He deserves it far more than the Jonas Brothers!!
Your comments stoke me! If people are clapping, I believe it means that people are beginning to worship what matters. Don't worry if they clap, worry if they don't clap!!
I'm cheering you on, applauding you, because I know who you worship!!!
You da man, because of THE MAN!!
I believe heaven is going to hear a ton more spontaneous clapping from the ministry of KFAOG. Why? You know! When HIS name is lifted up, boy will it draw, and probably draw applause too!!
Love ya man!
Jason Hirsch
SHOULD WE GIVE GOD A HAND?
Any discussion of demonstrative responses to spiritual leadings can be such a can of worms.
As a former hymnal-hugger, I can easily identify with those who never venture to stand, raise a hand, shout an "Amen" or even clap.
On the other hand, sometimes a little spiritual spontaneity can be a plus.
Certainly, personal spiritual maturity ought to bring wisdom and discernment in such matters. Also, the more mature followers of Christ among us often model for others, even as the Lord speaks personally to all.
HOW ABOUT A HAND?
Another point has come to mind recently. This is absolutely a personal matter. With a fairly recent neurological diagnosis (M.S.), I have found myself participating in worship services in a completely different manner than ever before.
When the noise level in the sanctuary reaches the highest readings (as it nearly always does), many folks seem to grow much more demonstrative - on the platform, at the altar, in the aisles and even in the pews.
I have personally participated in this at times.
However, since the M.S., I have found that this level of audibility actually puts me into neurological shut-down. The best way I can describe it is the way a triathlete must feel after the race. Hitting the wall.
So, although worshiping the Lord in Christian community generally energizes me (and others), I find that the physical sensory overload can be overwhelming.
For that reason, I may be unlikely to be one of the demonstrative ones. In fact, I may often be a lobby-lingerer. It's purely neurological, till the Lord shall bring my healing.
Just another perspective.
LR
Dear HEART:
Cans of worms have never intimidated me. LOL. Leadership dictates helping people understand the 'what' as well as the 'why' to certain responses. The 'why,' in fact, is probably more important than the 'what.'
And ... so many of us certainly are praying for that healing.
JASON:
You DISAGREE with me???!! The nerve!! LOL. Point well taken and registered. You are always the sage. I'm still not on quite the same page, though I am thrilled with the enthusiasm of our congregation and I'm glad I don't have to try to revive a dead horse here. Just to give feedback to YOUR feedback, because you know I can never stop myself from opinion-ating ... Springsteen concerts, Packer games and the like are generally mindless in their responsive clapping. It's the 'thing to do.' If that's the analogy, then why NOT let em 'charge the stage' at church? HAHA. In our spiritual environments where the spirit and the heart is involved and where our Creative God is who we're clapping for, it seems to me that more thought should be given before the 'same-ol, same-ol, default' response is 'clapping-as-usual,' just as we clapped for the announcements 3 minutes before and as we will clap for the eight children being dedicated ten minutes from now. I'm only asking for us to at least think about 'is this the response that serves the moment best? Maybe it is; but maybe it ISN'T ... not THIS time.' And ... when we start allowing beer cans and 'painted-letters-on-bare-chests' in the main auditorium, that's when I'll take the football/church analogy a little more seriously. Wink. (If you're reading this and you're from my church, that is NEVER, by the way - just so I don't get emails about this blog). As you know, my friend, I love bantering with you and think you are chock-full of wisdom. I wish we could be sharing this in person. Truly. We miss you. Thanks for responding.
Good stuff Kevin!!
Same-ol, Same-ol, might be the direct result of pastoral control!!
If there's two things I've learned in life, it's, I can control me, myself and I (and that can be a struggle), but I can't control others. When I attempt to, it just produces rebellion. So hence I guess it's our calling to continue to seek the Holy Spirit's control in our own lives & then the Holy Spirit's control comes forth in our corporate worship gatherings. I think that is what you're seeking?
Hey, don't get drunk with wine/beer!!! Be full of the Spirit!!:)
Great insight from you, thanks man!!
Oh, and by the way. To packer fans, it's a very spiritual issue!!:) Haven't you seen the packer Pope?
J:
YOU ROCK!!!!
BE BLESSED.
To be perfectly honest...there are times when the Holy spirit moves me in such a way, that I am filled with JOY and clap just to give Him praise! I just get so excited about what God is doing that I can't contain it..
Post a Comment