Clapping in Worship service?
Q: What does Scripture say, or imply, about applause during worship service. More and more services I attend, the audience applauds the worship team or a song, or a singer after a song, after an instrument solo, etc. etc. Today, one of the deacons in the praise team did a nice trumpet solo to honor US veterans ( america the beautiful ) and everyone ( except me ) applauded.
Of course- it is respectful to applaud a nice performance at a concert or show. However, I go to church/worship for one reason- to give God Glory!
I do not go to church to hear tributes to American holidays, church praise performances, etc.
From my perspective- Everything is for the Glory of God and not to any of the people in the service. I feel it is out of place and distracts honoring the Lord.
Would like your thoughts and Scriptural guidance.
No, I do not think this warrants looking for another church (perhaps it does? ) as the church is quite healthy otherwise.
Shouldn't we be focused on worship of our Savior?
A: Here are verses and thoughts.
Psalm 47:1
O clap your hands, all ye people; Shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
Romans 14, Hebrews 13:8 and on, 1 John 4:7 and on. Proverbs 16:2, Luke 16. Colossians 2. Luke 18.
During the singing, some clap. I don't applaud the band, or singers. It's not about them. Some church people may clap and at the same time say, "Amen or to God be the Glory." The Pastor may remark with a comment about praising God.
Some may be over doing it by constantly "amen-ing" and it's disruptive and feels meant as a way to get attention to themselves - that should not be happening.
Clapping can easily be mistranslated into praise for a person or people rather than God. If there is no clapping, there is no possibility of misappropriation.
I appreciate my church doesnt encourage clapping. Most of the time no one does it. It is even in the bulletin that we do not clap & please refrain from it. If there are some doing it... 🙃we know there are visitors 😂 lol.
Clapping is giving praise to men in those situations. I have never seen clapping used to glorify or praise God.
I have heard of a worship leader, who, if someone claps for him, he immediately leaves the room and repents. It is a awful strain on the musicians, singers and worship leader, because the glory is to go to God not to the people. It is much better to simply praise God in your heart.
We also have to be careful that out clapping during sings isnt like non Christian behavior (clappping to the beat cuz of a beat).
About Veterans and related things..
On Veteran's Day I feel uncomfortable when there is a "stand up" for recognition. We are veterans, but we just stay seated. Worship service is for God.
Totally diff if the church has a Veterans event and its used to reach community for Christ or celebrate something for brethren in the context of your service helps; (even by your being in there) points "the nation" to Christ thru freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Liberty and freedom and the Constitution and Rights given to those in the nation founded by or under Christian principles. And is a way to bring focus on what God is doing through people and to remind them it is of God.
This would work in USA, not so much in other countries...but perhaps in Nigeria it would work since they became a Christian nation whose country I believe was rebuilt (from Independence) on Christianity.
Sadly many "churches" have gone the route of rock concerts and not as historical worship in the church has been and should be. I would not be at such a church. Their focus is on self and not God. Likely mostly full of false converts and possibly a false preacher in the pastoral position. They likely do it to draw in the unsaved goats....instead of shepherding the actual flock.
Overall, no. No clapping, nor need for verbalizing things. Today it seems like an attention seeking motive when someone does it, or to give attention to the performer not the Creator & Savior. It should be avoided.
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