This is in response to the letter titled “Return to roots” that was in the June 14 Baptist Courier.
When reading this, I felt as though I was being told we do not want you in our church if you are going to act or dress a certain way. I know that if I was to go to a church and got this type of reception from someone either looking down at me because of what I wore or what I did, then that would be a way to make sure that I would leave the church and never come back.
We are called to go and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to all parts of the earth. Nowhere does it say to judge people on what they wear or how they worship.
I also grew up in a church where people wore their “Sunday best,” but for a lot of them it was not a suit and tie or a dress that looked nice for everyone to see. People wore the best they had and if that meant tennis shoes, a nice pair of jeans and a Polo-style shirt or even a T-shirt, they did the best they could. At least they were coming to be with people who are part of the church.
An “amen” is always good to hear, not one that is said “quietly.” If you agree with something, you should be able to say it out loud. This is the same for people who show their emotions another way in church. Although I am not comfortable to raise my hands at church to praise God, others are, and I am not going to fault these people for doing it. It is a form of expression as well as an outward sign of their love for God, because they are raising their hands to try and be as close to God as they possibly can.
Applause in the congregation is sometimes a good thing. The writer of the letter stated, “We applaud everything from the choir singing a special to a baptismal,” and then stated how she went to a Lutheran church and read in their order of service, “We also request that you refrain from applause after anthems (choir, handbells, etc.) as this is an offering for the glory of God rather than a performance for us.” I am glad she was pleased with this and almost jumped up and said “amen,” but instead just said it quietly.
The issue of applause is not a bad thing. I am glad to hear applause when someone is baptized. The person who was just baptized has followed the first act of obedience after being saved. I love to hear applause given when that person is saved and baptized. If the angels in heaven are rejoicing because another one is coming, then why can’t we?
Applause for the choir or other things is also a good thing. When the children get up there to sing and praise God, I think applause is good because it does give them encouragement – and are we not supposed to be encouragers to others? The adult choir can also be considered as worship leaders. When they sing, they are offering their praise to God and leading others in song to do the same. When people are touched by a song that either the choir does or a soloist does, they react in one of many ways. Some will express their pleasure by clapping, and although some may feel that this is giving praise to the singers, they are actually giving praise to God for what they just heard – similar to someone saying “amen,” which can also be heard after some songs are sung.
The bottom line is that Jesus did not just come here for people who were wearing their “Sunday best”; he came for everyone. The church is for all and not just for some who act and dress a certain way.
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