2008
In response to Bror Hagström wanting to start a debate on: Applauding In Church
(scanned article Applåderna i kyrkan?=Applause In The Finnish Church? - in Swedish)
This is one of the many "problems" that we apparently still have in the church today. When I say church, I mean the Evangelical Lutheran State Church (in this particular case). Don't get me wrong and want to slap my face because I only speak what many others are saying but maybe too afraid to speak out about.
Applaud, there is that word! But I applaud Bror Hagström for his boldness to write about this. Praise the Lord! How is it that any pastor, anywhere, would forbid the congregation for applauding, (naturally praising God as the Bible speaks of), in a church of all places?
It is obvious, or should be, to any church leader, that when we applaud in church, it is not to praise the people that are ministering to us. Of course we appreciate them and want to encourage them as we well should. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. They are servants of the Most High. But it goes without saying that the applause goes to God.
I understand that it was Good Friday, and so we are to be reverent, especially at such an occasion as this. But for true believers, we know that Good Friday passed and that Sunday did come, and that Jesus now is Risen and coming back. So we should rejoice in Gods' House... (any day that we enter it)!
We are not, as His children, being disrespectful when we applaud. On the contrary, we are lifting up the name of Jesus, giving Him glory and honor in one of the few places we as christians, should be free to do so. The musicians, choir, speakers, are all vessels that have chosen to let the Spirit of the Living God flow through them. So who are we, in the sight of the Living God, to forbid what He Himself desires of His own children?
The Bible says that praise is like a sweet-smelling incense in the nostrils of God. I like that! I am an adopted Finn and a worker in missions, by the grace of God, for almost 40 years... and of course my Cchristian upbringing back home is that we not only clap, but we dance and shout as the Bible says we are to do.
I do not even know who with this pastor is or who was officiating that particular evening as I myself was not able to attend this event? Nor do I know what his reasons were behind him making such an objection to clapping? It will be interesting to see his response in the newspaper.
He is part of the Body, and like any of us, deserves an opportunity to share his thoughts and reasons behind his actions. We should continue to support and encourage him, as he has the heavy load of spiritually looking over us all and that is not an easy job... Let us be merciful and show compassion, as we desire to receive the same.
Never-the-less, in a world of trials, tribulations, wars, and such unrest, why on earth would someone, anyone, that is given the privilege and responsibility of being the sheperd over God's children on earth, want to block anything that glorifies His name and encourages His own children? The church is the one place, that we brothers and sisters should be able to praise God, in our own way, knowing that the Father loves the adoration of His very own.
Christian-Charles de Plicque Angel House International Missions Ministries r.f. Karleby
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