When to applause

Worship the Lord in reverence.

"When applause is given before a speech begins, it is given in faith. When it is given in the middle of a speech, it is given in hope. When it is given at the end of the speech, it is given in charity." This was spoken by someone with tongue in cheek, of course!

However, there is a place for applause. Applause is primarily the expression of thanks, appreciation or approval. Audiences are usually expected to applaud after a performance, such as a musical, concert, speech or play. It is good to give encouragement to others.

Performers and speakers in different fields such as politics may receive applause when they first appear on stage before they render the item or make the speech. This is an acknowledgement of their past achievements. The audience appreciates their presence and anticipate a good performance or speech.

Applause does provide encouragement and stimulus. When we hold concerts and the different sections of the Corps (church) such as Songsters, Band, Singing Company, soloists take part; we clap after each item and sometimes even before the item is given. We greet the speaker with a round of applause. We do that during our Christmas concert, Youth concert or when we hold a party to celebrate an event.

What about applause during Sunday Worship? Everything we do is an act of worship. When our Songsters, band or soloists give an item, it is an act of worship, not a performance. We sing and play our instruments unto the Lord to glorify His name. When we hear an item rendered well, in our hearts let us thank God and give Him the glory. I do not think it is appropriate to applaud by clapping. We can always show our appreciation by telling the person after the meeting how much we have been blessed by the song, item or message.

Of course, we clap our hands in our meetings or services, for example when we sing "Glory, glory Hallelujah" or "There is power in the Blood of the Lamb." We rejoice in the Lord, but we are not applauding anyone. This clapping is the expression of the joy in our hearts. We are encouraged to clap our hands and praise Him with voices and instruments. Of course, this should also be done in decency and order. We cannot allow our free and easy method of worship to degenerate into flippancy.

In the midst of our rejoicing, there need always be reverence. Let there be a reverential spirit when we worship. "But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple." Psalm 5: 7