Sunday, April 01, 2007

Two Palm Sunday observations

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:

Unknown said...

Well, if it's any consolation, my daughter (who sang with the Junior Choir this morning) agrees with you.

DogBlogger said...

I just did the "sit and smile sweetly at the joyous contribution to worship" thing while everyone around me applauded...

Jody Harrington said...

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.

Princess of Everything (and then some) said...

Thought about you when I saw the blue bonnets!

And I am with you on #1.

spookyrach said...

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".

Karen Sapio said...

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.

Lori said...

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.

zorra said...

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!

Jody Harrington said...

"it is just fine to applaud and it is NOT OK to say Amen!"

~choke~

Dorcas (aka SingingOwl) said...

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. :-(