Our pastor Father Phil has specifically asked us not to applaud in Mass but what do folks do today? A few started to clap for the Director of Adult Ed after she made some announcements (seriously folks?) and then many applauded for the children's choir. The choir is not there to perform or entertain; they are there just like the rest of us to praise and worship the Lord. They should not be applauded for doing what they are called to do. I was in a children's church choir from 5th-8th grade back in the 70s. No one applauded for us and it never caused me to feel unloved or unappreciated. I was singing in the choir because that was what God called me to do and I kept coming back year after year because I enjoyed singing; not because of the accolades. You can agree or disagree with applause during Mass but the fact is that deliberately disobeying one's pastor is wrong.
Pope Benedict XVI says it best.....
7 comments:
I, too, wish people would knock it off with applause during Mass--or after, for that matter. (I'm a choir director & former liturgy director.) But the fact is, that's how people show their appreciation, so I've learned to shrug and get on with life. It falls, then, to the children's leaders to make sure they understand the reason why they're singing, and that applause is nice, but shouldn't be the end goal.
Oops--only after I posted did I realize who I was talking to, and you know perfectly well I'm a choir director! LOL--sorry! Reading/responding too fast today!!!
ROFL.... but other folks that read may not know that.... so it's all good :)
Having come from a charismatic evangelical background, I can readily attest to the truth of Pope Benedict's remarks. Applauding was the norm in the churches I grew up in, and yes, entertainment seemed at times to be the goal rather than worship. And those churches are frequently in pursuit of some new fad style of music, preaching, etc. Those things come and go. The liturgy should remain rock steady!
In fact, I recall reading an article several years ago that discussed contemporary Christian music and worship styles, especially all the multi-media equipment that many churches were pouring money into in order to make their services more... well, appealing to the younger generation. One contemporary worship leader/expert was quoted as saying "Worship is entertainment." And he wasn't being critical--he was just stating what he thought was a simple matter of fact! Sad...
Evan
I had some of the very thoughts about applause expressed by the Pope's quote in chapel this Sunday. We have a new worship leader. They've started doing special "numbers" during the offering but everyone claps and says things like, "great job" and I'm the stick in the mud not clapping and thinking......hmmmm.....
Well we can sit together on the 'stick in the mud' pew worshiping God instead of man
Well Said!
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