1. Apparently I am incapable of watching the children walk (or run) in, waving their palm branches, without tearing up. But that's OK.
2. When the PASTOR is among those enthusiastically applauding the children's choir, I reluctantly concede that mine is the minority view.
10 comments:
Well, if it's any consolation, my daughter (who sang with the Junior Choir this morning) agrees with you.
I just did the "sit and smile sweetly at the joyous contribution to worship" thing while everyone around me applauded...
I'm afraid this battle is irretreviably lost not only at your church, but in many many places.
I don't mind the occasional spontaneous applause but I do object to applauding the children every time they sing in worship because it sends the wrong message to them.
Thought about you when I saw the blue bonnets!
And I am with you on #1.
You and my brother would get along great. He is constantly railing against the "everyone is a winner" syndrome. This weekend he pointed out that our university's athletic "Hall of Honor" has deteriorated into what he calls the "Hall of Participation".
It's because white Protestants won't holler "Amen!" when they want to affirm that God was powerfully present in something that has happened in worship. So we're stuck with stony silence or applause, neither of which are really appropriate.
Am envious you got #1. My church didn't do the kids this year.
On #2, Purechristianthink nailed it, I believe. If pastors start teaching congregations to say "Amen" and "Hallelujah" in the right places, the issue would go away.
I say "Amen" (decently and in order, of course)and so do a couple of other people. But ooh! It's scary! Somebody in our church argued passionately with a friend of mine that it is just fine to applaud and it is NOT OK to say Amen!
"it is just fine to applaud and it is NOT OK to say Amen!"
~choke~
Whaaat? Oh, good grief. I'm with QG in not minding spontaneous applause but thinking that worship is worship even when kids are presenting it. On Easter Sunday our children are doing a worship dance, with banners etc. It is going to be good...and I'm sure there will be applause. :-(
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