Is applause appropriate for worship?
This week, I have been thinking about the differing opinions from people about worship. Worship is such a personal thing, but its context is different when we consider cooperate worship. It seems “applause” is one of top three things people often discuss with me. “Volume” is definitely at the top of the list, but I don’t have time to go there today. Let’s think about applause. What is it? Merriam-Webster says it is “approval publicly expressed” and I agree. Psalm 47:1,5-6 “Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with sons of joy! God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD amid the sounding trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.” Psalm 98:4-9 “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn- shout for joy before the Lord, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy.” So, how should we respond? I think a hearty “amen” or applause can accomplish the following:
Christians engage in singing to the Lord, (Colossians 3:16) and make melody to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). I believe when we applaud, we can make the case that it is unto the Lord. We can clap when someone sings, we can clap when someone is baptized, we can clap when someone dedicates their children to the Lord, and we can clap for someone who joins the church. We would all agree that we don’t want worship to become a performance, but I believe there are many biblical references of using our whole bodies: mind, heart, soul, head, hands, feet, voices and our lips to worship. When we applaud, we are joining the body of Christ in the work of adoration, praise, and worship. Applauding is a response and testimony to the Spirits work in our lives.
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These are different days, but here is what I would remind you of today. 1. You can trust God even when the world seems in turmoil. I am reminded of the story of Noah in book of Genesis. The Bible says the world was corrupt because God say wickedness everywhere. Noah believed that every mans heart was to do evil continually. Genesis 6 reminds us that chaos was everywhere, but in that time, Noah found GRACE. Romans tells us that where sin abounds, Grace abounds more. I hope you will join me in believing this. 2. Trusting God takes time!!!!! I know I am the only one, but I don't like to wait on things. I love microwave popcorn, keurig coffee, and pay at the pump gas..LOL Thomas Manton, a preacher from the 17th century said "Cheerful patience is a holy art and skill which man must learn from God." Noah knew how to wait.... he preached for over 100 years and in Genesis 6, it says he only had seven converts. I would say Noah had the patience of Job....LOL, but seriously, when most people had given up, Noah kept on keeping on. 3. When you are in a storm, God knows right where you are not matter how dark or violent it may become. Genesis 7 says Noah knew God was with him at all times. He kept telling people, God is in the ark, please come in and be safe. He didn't care about their past or what kind of life they had been living. That is grace! 4. God is a god of Second Chances God used the storm and the smelly ark full of animals to help Noah have a second take on life. Sometimes what we see as burdens, hardships, anxiousness is all God's plan for our lives to trust him more. I have found in my life, that I usually come out of those times in my life better equipped to help others who may be dealing with things in their lives. God uses all things to accomplish your spiritual growth. Growth also is a second chance to do more for the Lord! 5. God wants something better for you than you want for yourself. All of the hero's of the Bible messed up. Noah did as well, and you can ready about it in Genesis 9. One of the best things Noah did was to confess outright his shortcomings and sin. He was willing to accept the consequences of it, in order for the Lord to make him into the person God wanted him to be. God wants his children to love Him and love others and he is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. God loves us more than we love ourselves and let me tell you, for me and many others that is a WHOLE LOT! September of 2018 we started a new choir in Statesboro. We call it the BORO Comminity choir. This group of people meet every Tuesday afternoon to rehearse music for special occasions and we try to minister and encourage the residents of our community who are in nursing facilities and resident homes at least once a month. This ministry has been so encouraging to me personally. This group is made up of people from over 7 different churches across out county. A few weeks ago we sang at a local facility and to be honest the piano was in really bad shape. Our choir decided to find and purchase a piano to place in this facility. I have good news.... we asked and the Lord provided above our expectations. This video is me playing an incredible used Roland digital piano that was purchased by the BORO community choir last week and will be placed this week in one of our local nursing homes. I am honored to lead this group! This year we left on Christmas to spend time with a long time friend Lionel. He and I became friends in 1982 when he was our exchange student. We have remained friends for a long time. He invited my family to come snow ski in the French Alps this year and spend New Year’s Eve with him. It has been an amazing trip.
I was reminded this week that many things in life are incredible, but nothing pleases me more than to spend time with Vickki and Barhon and the rest of my extended family. These days around the table eating and laughing together have blessed me and encouraged me greatly. God has blessed me immensely and Inwill praise him in good times and challenging times. He’s the God of the mountain and the God of the valley. Christmas is always the busiest time of year for a music director in a church. It's like you live in a rehearsal and move on to the next one quickly. You prepare for may hours and then it's time to do the performance. Most musicians, if truthful would say they struggle with pride, it's just who we are and most people do. So it's very important to me as a church musician to make sure I always remind myself why I am doing what I am doing. It's because over 25 years ago the Lord called me from a different life path to serve him fully and give my life and my musical skills to Him. I haven't been perfect by any stretch, and I have made many mistakes along the way, but my heart's desire is to serve the Lord faithfully with all I am and all I have been given. This week, I had an aha moment.... a couple of times while leading our church choir and our community choir, it was like the spirit tapped me on the shoulder and said. Look, feel, experience because when you were in your mother's womb, this is what I was knitting you to do.... WOW... It's indescribable how that feels, but it's such a pat on the back. I love what I do and I hope the Lord allows me to do it till my last breath here on earth. I love the Lord and I Love music and this week those two collided with each other in my life.
I had a great time at the Ga/FL football game this weekend. It’s always energizing to be in such a large crowd who is excited to be there and support their team. In the crowd of over 80k, my heart was reminded of how small I am in the world but what a awesome God I serve who loves these people more than they love themselves. It’s hard to grasp because for most of us, our “world” is quite small. Lord always let me see the world as you see them, help me see them as wandering people who need you. Remind me that I am to be a witness for You in my speech and the way I live my life.
One of the greatest things in life is to be a parent. It’s hard to believe that my son will be 20 years old this week. Time really does move fast. The Bible says it’s fleeting away and it’s true. I’m excited to see how God will use my son in His kingdom.
He loves the ministry Young Life. He will be a college leader this year so I know great things will take place. Barhon is our only child, so this graduation and leaving for college is a time for exuberant joy and extreme gut wrenching loss. People have asked me how I feel, and I am not really sure. I love my boy, but I know I have done the best job of raising him as I could possibly know how. I am sure that I have not done it perfectly, but I have tried to guide him and teach him for the past 18 years. He is a wonderful person and I am so glad God gave me the task to be his "daddy", or "rhon" has he affectionally calls me sometimes. He is not perfect just like his dad, but I know he trusts the Lord and I know he knows God will lead him to the perfect path of life. I love this boy, more than words could really describe and I will miss him immensely next year, but I know God has a plan and we are both going to live it the best way we know how. I am overjoyed to see this next chapter in my son's life unfold and I can't wait to be right by his side the whole way cheering him on and showing him where he steps out of bounds.
Barhon, my son, has wanted to skydive for the past 3 years. He investigated and found out, you must be 18 in order to enjoy this adventure. He received the chance to sky dive this past summer for his 18th birthday. This has led to a passion for his adventurous spirit.
I have seen many photos from the air, just like this one above, and it reminds me just how small we are and how BIG our God really is. He is the creator of the universe and holds it all in the palm of his hand. I know He has my best interests at heart and I am glad I serve a God the loved me before I even knew I needed to be loved. |
Rhon CarterI am the Worship & Music Catalyst for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Archives
February 2024
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