According to the dictionary applause is “approval publicly expressed (as by clapping of hands.)” Normally in a public setting, such as at a concert, play, or speech people will naturally respond at the end with their applause as a sign of their approval that the performance was well done. It is their way of expressing thanks and congratulations to those who have given an effective performance.

In the church, however, applause has its difficulties. As opposed to the public concert, play or speech, what we do in church is neither entertainment nor a “performance.” What we do is called “worship,” and it is the arena where God comes to us with gifts of Grace and we respond to Him (!) with thanksgiving and praise. When applause is given, for example after a choir piece, we mistakenly misdirect our actions from praise to God to praise to ourselves.

The choir, organists and pastor all understand their roles in worship as those who help to lead and assist the congregation in their worship. If done rightly their personalities should recede and fade into the background as much as possible, thereby allowing us to “see Christ” through their actions, instead of being focused on the skills or appearance of the person leading. This is not always easy to do as we know each other as separate personalities and respond accordingly. However, one of the goals of worship is to get beyond these as much as we can. Thus, even the pastor “veils” his personality in the robes of his office so that He can stand “in the stead and by the command of [his] Lord Jesus Christ.”