Why do people applaud in Church?

Question

I find this distasteful, especially after a sermon. This is not entertainment. It is church. Comments?

When I was growing up, nobody applauded in church. Nowadays, every RC church I've been to does it. I stand there dumbfounded.

Sometimes I wonder if it is just one old lady that starts clapping and then everyone else does it out of blind copying.

I grew up on the East coast, Catholic. No one ever applauded. The silence at the end is holy and allows the sermon to sink in. However, moving West I noticed it happening more and more. I wonder if it is a geographic thing.

By ithappening, I mean blind applause.

I believe applause is to show appreciation for an artistic performance.
I do not believe it has a place in church. Singing is a great way to make noise for God. Let me ask you this, why stop at clapping? Why not whistle and flick bic lighters. Do you see my point?

Now at all the wacky Christian offshoot churches, anything goes. I've seen some of these congregations where it's more of a party than a worship. I think that is silly. When you go to worship, you go to pray. Prayer often has silent periods. The most graceful silence is right after a sermon. I feel violated when a bunch of bozos start clapping afterwards. Then most everyone else follows the applause blindly. I don't even think they know they are doing it.

Some people here don't seem to be getting it. You don't go to church for your own entertainment. It's not supposed to be fun and happy for you. It is a time for worship, introspection, and reflection.

The band does not want applause from the congregation. They are there to offer their musical gift back to God. I play in the church band. I don't like the applause. It ticks me off. I flip them the bird when they do it. That shuts down the applause real quick.

Answer 1

I've been Catholic all my life, and have been in many different parishes, and I've never heard anybody applaud during church. I've heard them do it in other types of churches, but never in the Roman Catholic church. That's just my personal experience. Sometimes, I've heard applause after the organ postlude following church (in a few Protestant churches), and of course, I've heard applause in Pentecostal services I've visited, but that's a different matter. Again, I've never heard people applaud during Mass. Maybe it's a regional thing, I don't know.

Answer 2

Why should a church service not be entertaining? I don't remember reading the commandment "Thou shalt be bored when worshiping."

People clap in a church for multiple reasons. Our church does it to welcome our Sr. Pastor to the stage after communion (to show appreciation). Some folks will applaud after the worship band does a particularly good job playing a song.

Why shouldn't they? The worship band works very hard to learn to play their instruments and coordinate together. Thus, they get an applause. The Sr. Pastor has worked very hard on his education and preparation and deserves to be shown some appreciation for his efforts.

In a church the size of the one that I attend, it would be impossible for everyone to personally thank the pastor after the service. With 3,000+ attenders to each service it just isn't happening. Applause works nicely.

Some people applaud the work of God in their lives. If the pastor says something that the person can personally affirm, he or she may applaud to show that they can relate to or agree with the statement. This is the same for any speech Have you ever watched a President give a State of the Union address? This is the same thing, basically.

The Bible tells us to gather, to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Traditionally, applause is the way for a crowd to show affirmation.

It is quite the opposite of disrespect. If I were a pastor, I'd rather see some sign that my congregation was "into" the sermon than falling asleep.

God is active. The Bible is active. Our lives are active. Therefore, why should not our church be outwardly active?

As far as your comment re: flicking Bic lighters and such. Think of it more like a play at your child's school. You love your child. You have a family relationship with your child. Your child worked hard to do what they are doing. Therefore, people applaud their work. There are social norms that draw the line at flicking lighters and whistling etc. We all know what they are unless we are sociopathic.

You love your pastor and your church staff. You have a family relationship with your pastor and staff. They work hard at what they are doing. Therefore, people applaud their work. The same stance applies.

Why should church not be "fun"? Worshiping God is supposed to be a joyous thing - a blessing - a happy thing. Why make it into a somber funeral for the spirit?

I am very sorry that you feel that you're not able to have fun in church. I really wish you the best in the future and hope that you are able to find a church that allows you to really experience joy in worshiping the Lord.

One who has not experienced "fun" when worshiping God has not truely experienced the presence of God in his worship.

Answer 3

If you love God why not clap?

In the Old Testament we are told to clap as a form of worship.

That is in Psalms 47.

The New Testament tells us to worship using the Psalms.

That would be 1 Cor 14:26

Pastor Art

Answer 4

It is just a form of appreciation. There is no cultural rule that applause is meant for people who entertain you. At my church, people sometimes applaud when the pastor makes a great point. We always applaud the wonderful music team when they are finished. It can just be a statement of agreement or appreciation.

Answer 5

It's their way of showing approval for the sermon's message. If it's also entertaining, then that's a plus. I've snored or seethed through enough sermons to know it's pretty much like any spoken message...much depends on the delivery, pacing, and timing. I think many ministers would benefit from coaching.

I personally think "the wave" and big foam novelty crucifixes should be added to really GOOD services, myself.

Answer 6

I like the first person's answer...

I think people applaud when they agree with something, or are pleased with what they heard. No, it's not entertainment - but applause tells the pastor that they were listening and like what he said!

Answer 7

They do it to show appreciation for the sermon (I say wait and thank him after church), but I find it ruins the sacred silence that should follow---those moments when the sermon should "sink in"

Answer 8

Psalm 66 : 1 .... Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.. Psalm 68 : 3 .... But let the righteous be glad ; let them rejoice before God : yea , let them exceedingly rejoice .. Psalm 33 : 1 .... Rejoice in the Lord , O ye righteous : for praise is comely for the upright ..*********** A silent Church is a dead Church !!

Answer 9

my church dont do that nor has any other i been in.
At the end of service in my church we sin ga few more songs then in the middle of this a few people if they feel the need go down front and pray and worship sliently then we fellowship and talk to friends and family.

Answer 10

There will be dancing and clapping in Heaven. Why not give the Lord a hand (applaud) of praise, in church?

Bless You