Just a few moments ago I found myself engaged in a very "uplifting" worship service. I have noted the last couple days that I am very observant and opinionated, especially when it comes to worship services. I critique actions, words, "emotional atmospheres", and the theology of the songs...but I generally find myself worshiping God and in prayer because of it.
Today's question is "why do we all clap at the end of each song?" It makes me think of a concert for classical music in which one applauds the muscians at the end of there musical ensemble...but in a worship service? I'm not saying that the clapping in and of itself is wrong...but instead I'm questioning the reasoning, and I'm wondering how many people actually know why they clap. In fact I leaned over to one of the youth next to me and asked, "Why exactly do we clap at the end of every song?" and all he had to say was "I have no idea...", leaving me to wonder how many people in that room actually DO know! Are they clapping for God or have we found ourselves praising worship leaders, choirs, and musicians instead of our Creator.
Here's another issue. I know a lot of Christians who are anti-ritualistic. For me, ritualistic worship is not evil or wrong, except for when it becomes a mere action to be checked off on a list of things done rather that being done with a heart of worship, but there are many out there that "avoid the appearance [rituals]" (the brackets are my personal insertions used for meeting a point, not giving a translation). If we do something, however, full of emotion but without a known purpose or active intellectual reasoning, then aren't we just being "ritualistic"? Is it not nothing more than a distraction or disrespectful towards God when we are in a time of "worship" and we begin performing an action that isn't worshipful or honoring to God. I'm tired of hearing "Give the Lord a hand clap of praise!" at the end of a "praise song". Maybe I'm misunderstanding what is really going on, but these are just my thoughts.
My fear (which is one that I feel is justified) is this...has worship become about good performances and emotional songs? Has evangelicalism so greatly disconnected the intellect from something in which it is supposed to be so heavily active. "Love the Lord your God with heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and all your strength." Which means that we should honor God with our will,our emotions, our physical abilities, our personalities, our gifts and talents, and most importantly...our intellect.
What happened?
What do you think?
Today's question is "why do we all clap at the end of each song?" It makes me think of a concert for classical music in which one applauds the muscians at the end of there musical ensemble...but in a worship service? I'm not saying that the clapping in and of itself is wrong...but instead I'm questioning the reasoning, and I'm wondering how many people actually know why they clap. In fact I leaned over to one of the youth next to me and asked, "Why exactly do we clap at the end of every song?" and all he had to say was "I have no idea...", leaving me to wonder how many people in that room actually DO know! Are they clapping for God or have we found ourselves praising worship leaders, choirs, and musicians instead of our Creator.
Here's another issue. I know a lot of Christians who are anti-ritualistic. For me, ritualistic worship is not evil or wrong, except for when it becomes a mere action to be checked off on a list of things done rather that being done with a heart of worship, but there are many out there that "avoid the appearance [rituals]" (the brackets are my personal insertions used for meeting a point, not giving a translation). If we do something, however, full of emotion but without a known purpose or active intellectual reasoning, then aren't we just being "ritualistic"? Is it not nothing more than a distraction or disrespectful towards God when we are in a time of "worship" and we begin performing an action that isn't worshipful or honoring to God. I'm tired of hearing "Give the Lord a hand clap of praise!" at the end of a "praise song". Maybe I'm misunderstanding what is really going on, but these are just my thoughts.
My fear (which is one that I feel is justified) is this...has worship become about good performances and emotional songs? Has evangelicalism so greatly disconnected the intellect from something in which it is supposed to be so heavily active. "Love the Lord your God with heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and all your strength." Which means that we should honor God with our will,our emotions, our physical abilities, our personalities, our gifts and talents, and most importantly...our intellect.
What happened?
What do you think?
Wow! Great points! I have recently started to question our practices during worship, too. I do not want to deny the thanks due our bands, singers, etc., but wonder if clapping and hollering for our woship leaders is missing the point of worship. It should never be about them. Their job is to help us focus our attention heavenward. Additionally, I wonder if certain other practices are helpful during worship services. During recent worship chapels I have been dismayed by the choice of singers. Every singer they involve CAN sing, but not in a way that helps lead people into an attitude of reflection and worship. Some people were meant to be soloists. They have great voices that are unique, but they have trouble singing the melody which throws everyone off. Ultimately, it is a big distraction.
ReplyDeleteNow, you lost me on your transition in your last paragraph. I feel that your assertions were right but that they totally changed gears from your previous paragraph.
Overall, great points! Thanks for the post!
Yea I was actually typing this up on my phone and left out a little bit, lol my bad. I'll modify it.
ReplyDeleteI have made my modifications, feel free to reread and comment further!
ReplyDeleteDef great points, I never looked at it from that perspective.
ReplyDelete