Applauding At Church

[Villages Kahuna]

Does the frequent applauding of almost anything at Church On The Square seem unusual to anyone but me?

It's pretty typical for the churchgoers to applaud the organist after the prelude pieces are played; then they applaud the musical director and musicians when they enter the church. Loud applause for the soloists is the norm, often standing ovations. A couple of weeks ago the congregation actually applauded the sermon!

In all my years of going to church "up north", no one ever was applauded in church. What's the deal here in The Villages? Is such applause the norm at other local churches, or just the Church On The Square?

[Boomer]

VK,

I just had an applauding in church conversation with a good friend of mine a couple of nights ago. She thinks it's fine. I don't. But we're still friends.

But I have never seen applause like the applause that is applauded at The Church on the Square.

Although, I have to admit that Mr. B and I would have applauded loud and long if the people sitting behind us would have just SHUT UP.

Boomer

[Donna]

I never heard of any one applauding in church..http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/angwinsmileyf.gif (http://www.millan.net)

In New York we didn't do it and in Pa they don't do it..It does seem very unusual... :dontknow:

[Jim007]

I think it depends on both the denomination of the church and the presiding pastor.

My wife and I attend a Methodist church, and the congregation applauds all the time.* I don't mind it, but my wife doesn't think it's right.* At our old church, also Methodist, no one ever applauded at any time, other than for maybe the children's choir. This past Sunday, we clapped at everything except the sermon. I felt I was at a U2 concert.

[The Great Fumar]

It is rampant there and is one reason we have quit going to any of the sunday services there ..... the other reason is that they seem to have turned the Church on the Square into a Theater for the Arts , The people who attend seem to think they are at an off broadway show and will stand and applaud for any reason ,,, I was at one service two years ago where the visiting Minister had to remind the folks that they were in church , no one seem to hear him.....
ok , I've had my say Fumar

[jerseygirl008]

Apparently, those pf you who are shocked by the applauding have never been in a southern Baptist church. I grew up Roman Catholic and the rules were the rules. Then, I moved down south and my mouth hung open for the first two years. I personally don't mind applauding. It's a way for people to say (using their hands/emotions) they agree, right on brother, that's right pastor, great music choir, etc. etc. It's kinda like what you see televised when Hillary and Obama (I mean Hillary and Barrack) give their sermons and everybody applauds. Except, Hillary's head starts bobbling and that certainly prompts everybody to applaud. Does the Pastor at the Church on the square bobble his head, encouraging the applauding??? LOL

I can imagine that too much applauding would make the service seem like a Broadway production, for sure. My 2 cents.

[The Great Fumar]

Jersey
I was raised Southern Baptist, You may want to hold your comments until you have had a chance to witness one of these exhibitions .....The only thing missing was Ed Sullivan ,,,,, FYI my wife does not agree me on this issue however she has alway been an extrovert......

My (not so humble) opinion fumar

[Gerard]

We have just visited the Church on The Square last Sunday for the first time. Raised in the Catholic Church in the North we would never have a service like last week. It would be somber, quiet, long and many time boring. Last Sunday we left the service energized and in amazement. Yes their may be a lot of applauding (and we are certainly not used to that) but you leave spending more time thinking about what was said and the uplifting music. What a difference from how we typically spent our Sunday.

[Avista]

We have always applauded in our church. We are told we are sending our applause to God not to the performance. Also, our church is very uplifting.

[billethkid]

Yo, Y'all....the Church on the Square IS a performing arts center.....

So what if they applaud in church in one place or another......I remember when the Catholic Mass was all in Latin with the priests back to the congregation....times and things do change
religion to religion, location to location.

They all have one objective regardless how conducted.....c'mon don't be like the pass the jelly lady!!! :joke:

BTK

[Russ_Boston]

I was raised a RC and even went to a seminary high school, although I chose a different profession than the priesthood. I never witnessed, in person, any applause at church until a few years ago when I went to a congressional service for my twin nephew's baptism. The music and the spirit in that church was so outstanding that you had no choice but to applaud - it was THAT good.

I don't go to church often but perhaps I'll take in a performance, I mean service, or two in TV.

With respect - Russ

[nanci2539]

I was a devout Catholic until about four years ago when my daughter encouraged me to attend a new church she and her family were attending. Both my son and daughter were raised Catholic and attend church weekly. I was surprised that she was suggesting a community church.

My husband and I were attending a local Catholic church and we were less than enthused about the service. So, we went with my daughter to a this Community Church. There were smiles, laughter and lots of applause every time a minister spoke or the choir sang whether in a group or solo.

The first time we went, I thought it was a cult! I was so taken back by this friendliness, laughter and applause that it made me nervous. People were congreating after service and just hanging out enjoying coffee and donuts that is put out weekly for attendees.

The second time we went, I kept more of an open mind and realized that everyone worships differently and maybe the energy in this church is a good thing.

We attend Ginger Creek weekly and enjoy it alot.

[Peggy D]

"Rejoice unto the Lord"

Isn't that what the Bible tells us? I agree with Avista. I see nothing wrong with it.

[KathieI]

There were smiles, laughter and lots of applause every time a minister spoke or the choir sang whether in a group or solo.

The first time we went, I thought it was a cult! I was so taken back by this friendliness, laughter and applause that it made me nervous. People were congreating after service and just hanging out enjoying coffee and donuts that is put out weekly for attendees.

My father and I attend Catholic church all the time and I noticed that here in L.A. the mass is much friendlier and warmer than back east. We found a church nearby my current house, that has lots of laughter, applause and good spirit, and has the most wonderful vocal group and musicians and after every special performance, we all stand and applaud. The monsignor is a fantastic, warm and friendly person and I do believe it has to do with his personality that creates such a wonderful atmosphere.

He requests that we all great each other before the mass begins and you suddenly realize that your creating friendships because the same people usually sit around you.

I must admit this brings me to church very willingly every week and makes a strong statement for the progress the church has made since I was a kid.

I think its a matter of finding a place to worship that makes you feel good no matter what your preferences are. I know Dad and I have found it and we'll probably attend Church on the Square, cause it sounds like what we would like.

Kath

[Hancle704]

I think it's a Village thing where there seem to be two distinct camps. One group of folks seem to feel that every performance at The Savannah Center is worthy of a Standing Ovation and that seems to carry over to the Church on The Square. Then there are the other group of folks who leave while the performance is still going on, they seem to feel that there is no performance worth watching untill the end.

[Russ_Boston]

If you read the other posts on the thread then applause at church isn't a TV thing at all. You may not like it but it happens at many churches of all denominations.

Walking out of a performance - well that's discussed on another thread.

[jerseygirl008]

I think that is true English. . . The style of worship is up for grabs, take it or leave it. It is all about the message and whether or not you feel spiritually fed during and after the service. I figure, if you walk away feeling energized, happy, spiritually fed, then it was a good service for YOU. I try not to judge the style of worship but the way I FEEL while I am worshiping. If it feels good for me, I'll be going back. If not, I will move on to experience another until it feels right, for me.

Fumar: I can't imagine what these services must be like. I will def. attend when I am there next month just to have the experience.

[billethkid]

As I stated above as a Catholic living in many parts of the country, it was not uncommon after a wedding ceremony or baptism or confirmation, etc, etc to applaud.

Nothing like the specialty of the moment being integrated into an environment of faith!!!

Most worship venues were never intended to be monk like.

BTK

[DENNIS G]

I had never experienced anything like this, as I was a Southern Missionary Baptist until two and half months ago. I think it is great. It is a way of showing your agreement and praise.

I would like to invite everyone to attend at least once Village View Community Church. It is located on Sky Harbor Road just west of US27/44l on the right. Go North on US 27/441 to the stop light (past cty 42) Kangaroo station on left and Shell station on right far corner. Turn left and about 1/8 mile on the right. Services are Sunday 8 am, Classic Gospel; 9:15 am and 11 am Contemporary. We also have service on Saturday evenings at 5 pm and 6:30 pm both are Contemporary. Please come early and stay late, there is coffee, do nuts, rolls, fruit, and juices for making new friends and fellowship. This is a very upbeat church during the contemporary services, you can just feel the presence of God when you walk thru the door. My wife and I are glad we went there, we love it. All the people are united and connected, you'll connect also.

God Bless You and Have a Great Day, See you there.

[Sidney Lanier]

We were guests of friends of ours (that is, just invited to join them) at the service at the Church on the Square this past Sunday, having been told how marvelous the music is. Both of us were struck immediately by the applause which we had never experienced at any house of worship anywhere before. I wouldn't even know how to comment about it other than seeing it as unusual, though from some of the other posts on this thread, apparently it isn't that unusual.

We have friends in a small upstate NY community who left 'traditional' churches and joined a fellowship community church, in which they got very involved and which gave them a sense of great support and connectedness, they explained to us. We went to a musical rehearsal with them one evening during the week (our friend is a flutist who performed--can't think of a better word--in the Sunday services), and the way we were so genuinely greeted and treated just having come in with her led us to realize the attraction they found in that fellowship. We never got to a Sunday service there, but reading this thread leaves me with the thought that there must well have been lots of applause there too.

When I was stationed in Oklahoma in the military a looooong time ago, I went to Catholic mass with a close buddy from time to time and was once very surprised when a screen was set up on the altar and a short film on titheing was shown. Afterwards, when I chatted with the priest and asked about what I saw as an unusual event, he explained that being located in Baptist Country (hence, very enthusiastic in their services), they had to do anything they could to vary from the strict mass structure. I didn't quite get that either but then too didn't quite know how to comment.

I guess, as one of the posters said earlier in the thread, we all worship in our own individual ways. At 'up north home' I once had a casual acquaintance whose focus of worship was a particular tree on a particular rural road. Who am I to judge?...