Naomi's Notes - 10/31/04
"Amen!" Every Sunday, that is our response to Chuck's prompting: "and all the people said…" (a very biblical usage). Some people think that "amen!" is sort of "sanctified applause," but amen, used nearly 50 times in scripture, means "So be it!" or "I agree!"
Applause can have the same meaning as amen, but more often applause conveys other meanings: "I enjoyed that!" or "I appreciated that!" or "You did a great job!" Applause is everywhere in secular society - ball games, arts performances, political or patriotic gatherings, club meetings. We especially like to affirm youth or children who please us with their entertaining performances. And when we hear someone begin to applaud, we all tend to join in automatically, sometimes halfheartedly.
Nowadays, applause is heard more frequently in churches. Most often it's heard after loud, rousing, "inspirational" music or after children and youth presentations. (I don't think I've ever heard anyone applaud after quiet music or a beautiful prayer or even an outstanding sermon.) Certainly "amen!" can be misused as often as applause. Only God knows the intentions of our hearts.
I am still affected emotionally when I think of 3 particular worship experiences where I was certain that applause was for God alone:
One occurred in Georgia years ago during Preschool Choir. To introduce a new song to 20 kindergarten children, I asked them - at their level of understanding - to think of some attributes of God. Soon they were on-a-roll. Momentum built as they eagerly raised their hands, quickly naming good things about God. Suddenly, the whole group burst into applause. They were cheering God!
Another happened during Charles White's (3rd?) interim at IBC. The Southeast was experiencing a severe drought, and it seemed that the little bit of rain that fell in Kentucky somehow kept skipping over Frankfort. For months, we prayed in desperation as rain clouds passed us by. Then during worship one Sunday, just as Charles was stepping into the pulpit, a huge cloudburst suddenly began pounding on the sanctuary roof. There was an audible gasp from our grateful congregation, followed by spontaneous, heartfelt applause. We were truly praising God!
Still another happened recently. At the close of the service, one of our youth made a public profession of faith. When Chuck presented him to the congregation, there was an awkward moment as someone began to applaud, then stopped suddenly. At Chuck's prompting, everyone applauded. I thought, "How appropriate - to applaud what God is doing!"
Whether through hearty amens or rousing applause, through silent prayer or lively singing, through reading scripture or giving our monetary offering, the form of our worship won't be unauthentic or "automatic" if God is truly the focus of our worship.
See you this Sunday –
Naomi