Happy-clappy
Encyclopedia
Happy-clappy is a derogatory term originating in the United Kingdom, referring to a style of Christian
worship
particularly evident in charismatic
churches and epitomised by the Toronto Blessing
, which became extensive in the United Kingdom in the 1980s. The term came into household knowledge in that country in the late 1990s after a reported remark by the former Archbishop of Canterbury
Robert Runcie
, criticising what he perceived as the shallowness of such worship.
This style of worship involves joyful congregational worship songs, often accompanied by acoustic guitars and drums in which the congregation clap along to the rhythm of the song, or raise one or both hands in the air, and occasionally dance
. Christian critics of this style of worship, of which Runcie was one, object to what they perceive as simply the rousing of emotion rather than properly focusing on God
. Supporters counter that this style is more relevant and therefore accessible to ordinary people.
Unlike many derogatory terms, it has not been adopted by groups that practice it, who prefer to call it "charismatic" or "spirit
-led" worship.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
worship
Worship
Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. The word is derived from the Old English worthscipe, meaning worthiness or worth-ship — to give, at its simplest, worth to something, for example, Christian worship.Evelyn Underhill defines worship thus: "The absolute...
particularly evident in charismatic
Charismatic movement
The term charismatic movement is used in varying senses to describe 20th century developments in various Christian denominations. It describes an ongoing international, cross-denominational/non-denominational Christian movement in which individual, historically mainstream congregations adopt...
churches and epitomised by the Toronto Blessing
Toronto Blessing
The Toronto blessing, a term coined by British churches, describes the revival and resulting phenomena that began in January 1994 at the Toronto Airport Vineyard church, now the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship , a neocharismatic evangelical Christian church located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
, which became extensive in the United Kingdom in the 1980s. The term came into household knowledge in that country in the late 1990s after a reported remark by the former Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
Robert Runcie
Robert Runcie
Robert Alexander Kennedy Runcie, Baron Runcie, PC, MC was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1980 to 1991.-Early life:...
, criticising what he perceived as the shallowness of such worship.
This style of worship involves joyful congregational worship songs, often accompanied by acoustic guitars and drums in which the congregation clap along to the rhythm of the song, or raise one or both hands in the air, and occasionally dance
Dance in mythology and religion
Dance is present in mythology and religion globally. Dance has certainly been an important part of ceremony, rituals, celebrations and entertainment since before the birth of the earliest human civilizations...
. Christian critics of this style of worship, of which Runcie was one, object to what they perceive as simply the rousing of emotion rather than properly focusing on God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
. Supporters counter that this style is more relevant and therefore accessible to ordinary people.
Unlike many derogatory terms, it has not been adopted by groups that practice it, who prefer to call it "charismatic" or "spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
-led" worship.