To Applaud or Not Applaud
You want to applaud, don't you? No, I'm not referring to my preaching but to the music of the musicians on Sunday. Every now and then, applause will break out at the end of the soli Deo gloria prelude before the evening service or after the postlude of any of the services (though never after my sermon). Paul Jones, Music Director, has written a summary of our philosophy about response to music in worship.
Applause? – a Biblical Approach
by Dr. Paul Jones, Organist and Music Director
The decision not to applaud in church grows out of a proper theology of worship informed by Romans 11:36 where we read “for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to Him be the glory forever.” This means that anything praiseworthy is from God and is accomplished through His divine enablement. Any praise should return to Him, and God does not share His glory with anyone. To laud literally means “to praise.” Unless applause is directed to God in response to His mighty acts or attributes, it has no rightful place in worship, and certainly not when it is directed to musicians who are performing soli Deo Gloria—for the glory of God alone.
Most applause in church is an unexamined carryover from the entertainment industry. It is the way we respond to a speech, a comedian, or music. In a concert situation it is appropriate for an audience to respond to a musician with applause because this shows appreciation for the performer who has been performing for the listener. In a worship situation, however, it is inappropriate for the congregation to respond to the musicians with applause because the musical offering is being given to God. God is both the Subject and Object of worship, and the response of the people should be to Him. The music also edifies the congregation, but it is offered to God from the people as part of congregational worship.
Musicians aware of this theology of worship will not desire the applause of men. Rather, as with a minister in the pulpit, they are praising God, praying to Him, or proclaiming His Word. It is always appropriate to thank God as a response to a stirring musical offering. And, of course, it is appropriate to personally encourage those who minister, but this can be done privately. The congregation’s response to hearing music would be better if it imitated biblical language with a “Hallelujah” or an “Amen” or “Praise God.” Such responses can be voiced or simply thought/prayed.
posted by M Clark at 2/22/2011 11:49:00 AM
8 Comments:
You know, I've been a church musician for over fifteen years (and a classical musician for over twenty-five) and the times I am *most* compelled to clap my hands are at the end of a song I've helped lead in our congregation. Not in honor of myself or the other musicians, but in gleeful, happy, and reverent praise of the God to whom we were just singing.
Little children clap with delight when they are happy, when they've just heard good news. My desire to clap springs out of similar emotions and clapping can be a way of expressing joy and awe that doesn't always have to be specified in words. (Not to mention I've heard Hallelujahs and Praise Jesuses used in response to searing guitar solos in worship contexts...using words isn't necessarily keeping one from borderline idolatry!)
I love words - but I am not afraid of clapping my hands as an appropriate, Biblically-endorsed (Psalm 47, anyone?) response to God's truth and beauty, even when it is conveyed to me by musicians. Does it make any difference that I also want to clap when I've been actively listening to and singing along with _recorded_ music that honors the Lord? There are no performers to hear me.
Most Sunday evenings, at the beginning of soli deo Gloria, the performer is announced and their earthy accomplishments are mentioned, just as they would be in the entertainment industry. Why is that? Doesn't that take the attention away from God and put it on the person? How is clapping to acknowledge appreciation at the end of their performance any different than giving recognition to the person's accomplishments prior to their performance? It seems like a double standard to me.
Actually, it was my idea to introduce the musicians for the soli Deo gloria as a way for the congregation to get to know the musicians and not merely regard them as nameless performers. I understand Bekah's comments and have experienced in worship services as well where it is clear that the clapping is part of the worship. In my experiences here at Tenth, though, it is evident that the clapping is in response to the "performer." I think it is a natural response, but nevertheless is not the same as entering into worship.
A response sent to me by email:
I want to show the "amen" or "hallelujah" type of response but I would rather clap than say it in words, maybe even just because of my personality.
Interesting discussion, but also confusing. Is it worship, or is it performance? Paid performers come on Sunday evenings and perform. If we don't clap, this is worship? If we do clap, we are no longer worshiping? Isn't there a risk of becoming prideful? "We have wonderful evening performers, but we are so self-controlled that we do not clap for them, therefore we are good worshipers. God should be pleased with us!"
Can we prescribe what is "proper" worship? A number of passages in the Bible indicate that worship included clapping, dancing, making loud noises, etc.
If the people of 10th Pres. don't prefer clapping, that is fine! But, to acknowledge by clapping, our appreciation of the gifts that God has given to a performer and granted us the privilege of hearing as our hearts are being prepared for worship shouldn't be seen as offensive and non-worshipful. We should call it what it is.... a preference for non-clapping during services.
Sincerely,
JKL
Isaiah 55: 12
For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
There is a time for somber worship, but there is also a time for our worship to be filled with great joy. Perhaps clapping just makes those who are less demonstrative in their time of worship uncomfortable? It seems judging though to say no clapping to those who wish to express their thanksgiving to God in that manner.
interesting discussion. Jones' distinction makes sense, but raises more questions.
Why, for instance, if this is an act of official worship, does it preceed the call to worship. I've never heard clapping for anthems or offertories in worship, and they clearly take place during the service.
I also wonder if musicians performing the SDG are unpaid. Maybe they are: and it would make sense if they were if the playing is specifically SDG. But if they are....?
I'm not much of a clapper, but I'm not much of an AMENer either.
Glad to hear more discussion of the theology of worship from all of scripture.
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