On Worship: a Short Guide to Understanding, Participating in, and Leading Corporate Worship by H.B. Charles Jr

Author:H.B. Charles Jr. [Charles Jr., H.B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Published: 2022-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

LET THE CHURCH SAY AMEN

For many years, I preached a Holy Week meeting in Detroit. One year, I walked to the pulpit and exhorted the church, “Let’s give the Lord a hand of praise!” It was a new thing for me. I had heard one of my favorite preachers give this exhortation on many occasions. And, well, I thought it was cool. So I began to try it out when I stood to preach and greeted the congregation.

My appeal was greeted that night with mostly blank stares and awkward silence. The scattered handclaps only made the moment more awkward. The next night, I stood to preach with the same opening sentence. Same response. It happened again the next night. I thought the lack of response to my call for “hand praise” was strange in this warm congregation. But I was oblivious to the fact that something larger was going on.

During one service, the pastor led the congregation in singing. The members began to spontaneously clap as they sang. Over the singing, the pastor said, “That’s how you give the Lord a hand clap of praise.” Ouch.

The pastor never said anything to me directly about the matter. He did not need to. I’m a quick learner. I would soon abandon my newfound exhortation altogether.

For the record, there is nothing wrong with clapping your hands in praise to the Lord. Scripture commands it: “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!” (Ps. 47:1). There is a place for physical expression in worship. But there is a fine line between clapping as worship and clapping for worship.

Do you get the difference?

If the music ends and the congregation responds with applause, is it clear whether they are praising the Lord for the message of the song or showing appreciation for the musicians and singers who have just ministered to them? Worship should not celebrate spiritual gifts or the skills and talents of gifted people. Our worship should glorify the Father of Lights, who is the source of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). Worship leaders lead the congregation in worship; they do not worship up front for the congregation’s applause and appreciation.

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