BiblicalInsights.net

Recently, Judith Martin (Miss Manners) responded to a question asked by one of her readers concerning handclapping during the worship.  The question and response are worth consideration.
The Question:
Dear Miss Manners:  During the offertory collection at my church, some form of religious musical performance takes place.  It might be the choir, a soloist (vocal or instrumental) or the bell choir.  At the conclusion of the performance, the entire congregation applaudes as if at a concert.  To me, this borders on being sacrilegious.  Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to compliment the performers informally after the service?  Is this a common practice in other churches?
The Response:
Gentle Reader:  It is, alas, increasingly common for people to regard everything as a source of entertainment.  Miss Manners is grateful that you recognize that church music is indeed intended for the glory of God, not the pleasure of worshippers.  Praise for the performers might certainly be delivered after the service, but it shouldn’t be allowed to interrupt praise for God.  (Columbus Dispatch, Nov. 2, 2013).
Observations:
1)  While I do not belong to the same religious group as the person asking the question to Miss Manners, I share the same concern that, in many places, the worship of God is being turned into entertainment for the audience rather than glory and praise directed to God.
2)  Worship must be directed to God, not man (John 4:24).
3)  Worship is a verb and so involves the right attitudes and actions on the worshipper’s part which are directed to God.  Consequently, you cannot worship by proxy.
4)  Handclapping is not authorized in the New Testament.  Col. 3:17.  We should not do anything in worship that is not authorized by God Himself.  Human innovations are the design of men and often have the purpose of pleasing men rather than God.
5)  Many worship assemblies have turned into concert and entertainment venues rather than avenues of praise and devotion to God.  Our worship degenerates when we become the focus instead of God.
6)  Is handclapping sacred or secular?  If sacred, then it would be authorized by God.  It is secular activity introduced into worship to please man not God.
7)  Miss Manners notes that there is some impropriety when the sacred is mixed with the secular.  It produces a sour note! I agree.  However, the violation is much more than social. It is spiritual.
8)  There is vain worship.  What is vain worship?  “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9).  The word “vain” means, “empty or worthless.”  Vain worship may occupy some time on Sunday, but it will never please God.