Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

by WInton Boyd, September 16, 2009

One of the ongoing, sometimes tricky questions in the life of a church community is how to give thanks and show appreciation for the music, sermon, mission moment, or dramatic presentation within a worship service. More simply put, “is clapping appropriate in church?”
At one time, my answer was quite simple and clear. No. However, time and the exposure to many different worship traditions has made my answer to that question much more muddled!

What we can all agree on here at ORUCC is that we deeply appreciate the effort, passion, and faith of those leading music and other aspects of worship. We know that our Senior Choir, Tru Function, the Handbell Choir and individuals offering solo or duet pieces put in time and effort to do the best they can. We know that they are trying to provide inspiration for our worship service and our life of faith. We are blessed by the many gifts in this congregation.

What we do not all agree on is whether it is appropriate to clap after such presentations. Some of us come from worship traditions whose strength was creating a meditative sanctuary for our lives, and clapping interrupts that. Some of us come from traditions that emphasized the joy of community and the joy of worshipping God, and clapping and saying “Amen” were very common. Some of us come from no worship background and wonder if we are missing something in the whole conversation about clapping. It is normal and natural and does not seem like a big deal.

While I am pretty sure God doesn’t have an opinion on this, it does matter to our community that we have some sense of shared understanding. Let me suggest a few ideas and principles for us as we worship.

• We are a diverse community with different tastes and experiences. In all we do, we recognize that this diversity is a strength.
• Worship is about giving thanks to God, opening ourselves to the movement of the Holy in our lives. While some “performances” in other settings are deeply spiritual, we can never lose sight of the fact that worship always celebrates community in the presence of the Holy.
• Music, sermons, dramatic readings, liturgical dance are all part of worship and build community. It is good to celebrate both the sacredness of the offering and the sacredness of those leading them.
• A good question to ask is not “should I clap?” but “how do I give thanks to God for this moment in worship?” How do I show appreciation for the way my heart has been lifted and strengthened? How do I honor the moment of transcendence we have just experienced? How can this “moment” be maintained or strengthened? Would more noise or sound be helpful, or would silence lengthen that “moment?”
• Personally, I like to say “Amen” because it strengthens my sense of gratitude to God. Sometimes I open my palms or raise my hands slightly, for the same reason. Sometimes I bow gently, with my hands together at my chest and say “Namaste” – which is a Hindu phrase that means, among other things, “The Light within me honors the Light within you.” Sometimes, I clap. For me, the guiding principle is to try to match my response to the spiritual moment I have just experienced. Clapping after a tender, raw piece of music seems out of character. Likewise, silence after a rousing and energetic song sometimes seems awkward, even disembodied.
• This article is not to lay down rules, but to offer permission for us all to consider how we give thanks and honor the light of the Spirit found in worship. Let’s stay in dialogue!