CLF Conversations

Holy Hands & Awkward Pauses

Episode Summary

Ever been in church and thought, “Am I allowed to do this?” Like when your hands start to rise during worship, but you’re not sure if you’re about to bless the Lord or block someone’s view. Or when someone claps mid-sermon, and you debate whether to join in or pretend it didn’t happen. Maybe you’ve even wanted to dance—but remembered you’re Baptist. We’ve all wondered: What’s appropriate? What’s biblical? So before you bust a move—or keep your arms crossed—let’s talk about what God actually says about how His people participate when they gather to worship.

Episode Notes

🎙️ Episode Summary
In this episode of CLF Conversations, Perry and Pastor Dave York unpack what biblically faithful participation looks like in the Sunday gathering. From expressive joy to reverent silence, Scripture presents a full spectrum of worship—heartfelt, ordered, and God-centered.

The hosts explore both sides of the conversation: the Scriptures that call for outward expression—lifting hands, clapping, shouting—and those that emphasize reverence, silence, and order before a holy God. Together, they remind us that biblical worship is not about style or personality, but about a right response to who God is.

🌍 Key Topics Covered

The purpose of gathered worship
The tension between reverence and rejoicing
Freedom in expression vs. the call to order
Communion as covenant renewal and reflection
Fellowship as an extension of worship
The heart posture behind physical expression

💬 Discussion Highlights

Worship is both joyful and reverent—the Psalms give room for shouting and silence alike.
Expressive worship isn’t about drawing attention to ourselves; it’s about responding to God’s greatness.
Silence can be sacred when it’s filled with awe, not apathy.
Order protects unity, while freedom reflects sincerity.
Biblical participation calls us to engage both heart and body in response to truth.

📖 Scripture References for Expressive Worship

Psalm 47:1 – “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!”
Psalm 63:4 – “So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.”
Psalm 95:1–2 – “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!”
2 Samuel 6:14 – “And David danced before the Lord with all his might.”
Psalm 149:3 – “Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!”
Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

📖 Scripture References for Reverence, Silence, and Order

Habakkuk 2:20 – “But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”
Ecclesiastes 5:1–2 – “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God… Let your words be few.”
1 Corinthians 14:33, 40 – “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace… all things should be done decently and in order.”
Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Zephaniah 1:7 – “Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near.”
Luke 18:13–14 – The tax collector stood far off, beat his chest, and quietly prayed for mercy.

📖 Balancing the Two

John 4:23–24 – “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.”
Hebrews 12:28–29 – “Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
Psalm 100:1–2 – “Make a joyful noise to the Lord… come into his presence with singing!”
Acts 2:42–47 – The early church worshiped, learned, broke bread, and rejoiced together

📌 Takeaway Questions

Do your expressions in worship reflect both joy and reverence?
Are you participating to glorify God or to impress others?
How does “order” help our worship gatherings point more clearly to Christ?
What might the Holy Spirit be inviting you to adjust—more freedom or more focus?

🔗 Stay Connected
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