One aspect of our church gatherings that causes some division and confusion is the practice of clapping. It should come as no surprise that the current March 2009 edition of Southern Cross includes a letter to the Editor raising this very issue in relation to the Connect '09 Big Day In.

In her letter, Joan Thompson of Gymea raises issues about the musical item by the band Garage Hymnal, questioning this practice of clapping:

And to whom was the clapping directed? Do we indeed clap God? Or was it the performers? Who exactly is getting the glory?

Joan certainly has a valid point. Why did we clap Garage Hymnal, but not the Archbishop? Why did the hard work of the prayer leaders, or the careful reading of the Bible readers go un-recognised? And what of the hard work of those behind the scenes?

In one sense, the practice of giving applause to musicians is an import from our contemporary world. In nearly every context that includes live music, the natural response of the audience is to thank the performers through clapping.

Yet, it is not only music that receives applause. Many occasions of public speaking will be met with applause after the conclusion of the address. In some contexts, nearly every item includes some sort of clapping.

So what are we to do?

One option is to announce to the congregation that we do not think that it is appropriate to clap any of the people who are serving us, but instead that we should thank them privately, or perhaps, simply by thanking God for them through prayer.

If we were to follow this solution, I fear that we would end up having the appearance of 'fun police', constricting the emotional response of the congregation, and silencing the normal gesture of thanks offered in our society.

The second option is to extend the applause to other parts of the gathering. Often when I lead an event such as TWIST I will try and give the congregation frequent opportunities to thank those that participate from the front.

I have tried to model my leadership on (God forbid!) the host of a television variety program. So, rather than leave the congregation unsure of whether they should give applause after an interview, I will say "Let's thank Jonathan Holt" and start clapping. By providing more clapping, it actually lessens the impact of the post-musical-item applause.

It is a great privilege to give thanks for the service of the Saints. Applause is one of many ways to show this, to the glory of God