MMF - Applause in the church?

Applause in the church? Please, no.

The big givers ($) in the church don't like it cause it wakes them up.

 

Our church does not clap when special music is done. I am very comfortable with that. When I sing for groups that are not in my church I always try to speek to them for a moment before I sing. I use the sign (used in sign language) for God which is the sign Father and the hand goes to Heaven. I explain that my singing is worshiping the Good Lord and that my focus is to that end. And that if there must be applause let it be to the glory of God.

Personaly, I don't clap. I have been known to tap my foot in time with the music. Music is joy and music sung for the Lord is such pure joy. When you touch my heart I cry, but that is no reflection (good or bad) on the person that is singing. For me music is a focus on the Good Lord.

 

This is indeed an interesting thread. I am a Minister of Music and have served churches that applauded and did not applaud. To some it was an expression of praise and gratitude to God, while others it was simply ... "the song is over it is now time to clap." I feel two key words for this discussion are appropriate and inappropriate. There are times it fits and can even add to the worship environment and times it does not.

As a singer, worship leader and choral conductor, I tend to be uncomfortable with applause. I do, however, understand that it can be a sincere expression of worship for some. I tend not to participate in applase personally.

I did do an informal survey in one church. Applause was alwys greater when the piece was uptempo and loud or very familiar. Unfamiliar and quieter pieces tended to have no applause. If accompaniment trax were used, solo and/or choral, there was almost always applause.

What think ye?

[ November 17, 2001: Message edited by: Tenor ]

[ November 17, 2001: Message edited by: Tenor ]

 

People have made good points about both sides of this one. I personally don't like applause, & apparantly our pastor doesn't think too much of it either.