“To clap or not to clap, that is the question.” Is
applause appropriate in a worship service? When our choir sings a moving
anthem, when our high-schoolers belt out a rousing spiritual, or when our
youngest singers enchant and charm us, should we applaud their efforts?
When our choirs sing they are not performing for us, they
are offering a gift to God. Everything we do in worship is directed to God –
every word spoken, every word sung. Those of us listening to glorious music, or
any other offering, share in the gift, but we need not clap as we might if the
singers were performing to entertain us. So, on that basis, we might well
conclude that applause is not appropriate in worship.
But every element of worship should move us to respond: music, the word read, the word preached, prayer, every part of worship should prompt a response in each us. That response may be a silent word of praise or thanksgiving, but there are times when a lively, moving, or deeply compelling offering calls us to a more demonstrative response.
A glorious piece of music offered as a gift to God may move us to want to stand and shout out “Praise!” or “Amen!” or even “Hallelujah!”. We Presbyterians are not likely to be that demonstrative, though, so applause provides a more comfortable way for us to respond. We should never take any pride in being thought of as “God’s Frozen Chosen”, but instead open ourselves to the call and response of the Spirit. So yes, applause can be a very appropriate part of worship.
Worship should be joy-filled and lively reflecting the presence of the Spirit, who moves us all to respond. Worship involves everyone gathered in community, not just those who are up in the chancel. As the Psalmist has taught us, “Clap your hands all you people; shout to God with loud songs of joy.” (Psalm 47:1) ALL you people!
The prophet Isaiah tells us that all creation is engaged in worshiping the Lord our God: “the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12) If the trees of the field can clap their hands in praise to God, so can you - yes, even in worship.
Hallelujah!
Pastor Skip
But every element of worship should move us to respond: music, the word read, the word preached, prayer, every part of worship should prompt a response in each us. That response may be a silent word of praise or thanksgiving, but there are times when a lively, moving, or deeply compelling offering calls us to a more demonstrative response.
A glorious piece of music offered as a gift to God may move us to want to stand and shout out “Praise!” or “Amen!” or even “Hallelujah!”. We Presbyterians are not likely to be that demonstrative, though, so applause provides a more comfortable way for us to respond. We should never take any pride in being thought of as “God’s Frozen Chosen”, but instead open ourselves to the call and response of the Spirit. So yes, applause can be a very appropriate part of worship.
Worship should be joy-filled and lively reflecting the presence of the Spirit, who moves us all to respond. Worship involves everyone gathered in community, not just those who are up in the chancel. As the Psalmist has taught us, “Clap your hands all you people; shout to God with loud songs of joy.” (Psalm 47:1) ALL you people!
The prophet Isaiah tells us that all creation is engaged in worshiping the Lord our God: “the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12) If the trees of the field can clap their hands in praise to God, so can you - yes, even in worship.
Hallelujah!
Pastor Skip
