we shape our buildingsand thereafter they shape us
_________________Robert Wurtz II
I have theory about architecture and the layout of our buildings.If you see a Roman Catholic building you will see that it elevates the sacraments. A special area, the sanctuary, is closed off from ordinary folk and has become the special territory of the specialist; the priest. The seats are usually designed for the spectator and no real contribution is necessary from any other than the priest. If there is a pulpit it will probably be at the side, off-centre; the preaching of the word is an addition to the main purpose of the meeting.The Reformers brought in the pulpit and, in classical settings such a Spurgeon's Tabernacle and the great preaching centres, the pulpit took centre stage. In fact, the pulpit filled the whole front of the building and the 'big' seat, occupied by the elders, was positioned 'under the authority of the word'. They had elevated the preaching of the Word above the sacraments and given it centre stage. The sacraments of baptism and breaking of bread are accommodated 'incidentally', tucked in at the foot of the pulpit or hidden under the floorboards. The seats are still designed for the spectator.The early Christian Brethren gathered 'not as people around a priest but as priests around a person' (Christ). They favoured a square or a circle or a three sided square. Their focus was, in reality, fellowship. The chairs were arranged so that you could see each others faces which facilitated a more 'open' meeting. There was no elevated platform for sacrament or preacher.I reckon I can guess the theology of a church within 30 seconds of seeing its indoor architecture! I have been a long time attender of a large annual conference. The preaching platform was simple structure to give everyone an opportunity to see the preacher. Music was provided by a piano at the side; it accompanied the meeting. Then a worship band was added, still to the side, almost in a corner. Then the platform was extended so that the worship band could use it; now it is resplendent with microphones and drums and keyboards and lights and is the real focus of the room in which the meeting is held. What theology do I read into this? The meeting will be music-led; the worship will be in the hands of the specialists. The ministry of the saints themselves will have to find its spaces in between the music. The people most equipped to provide this kind of musical lead will be those who have learned their music skills rather than a sensitivity to the moving of the Spirit in the meeting. The meeting passes into the hands of those who are expert at creating atmosphere.Of course, God can break through any of this. He is not limited by our architecture. However, I think our own expectations are often limited by our architecture, and I think God is often 'limited' by our expectations.
_________________Ron Bailey
Our pastor has just purchased a community building (one in which my friend and i prayed the Lord would use for the church in fact)and has big plans for it. The sanctuary will have beautifull lighting, hidden sound room at the back, a platform at the front for the worship, a new pulpit is being carved from a certain wood with an engraving on it the list goes on. Huge amounts of man power are going into getting the building ready to be oficially 'opened' in September.My question is is it really all worth it? There seems to be at the moment more vision for the 'building' than there is vision for our area. I'm not trying to be a pesimist and find fault in what we are doing it's just that all focus seems to be in the wrong direction and in the mean time those who really do need help in the body with their own homes and lives(one of which house is literally falling down around her) are being neglected.I'll probably get rebuked for saying this but to me it seems all wrong.
Then the platform was extended so that the worship band could use it; now it is resplendent with microphones and drums and keyboards and lights and is the real focus of the room in which the meeting is held.
Brother Robert wrote about 3 pages ago:
Everyday of the year is a pagan holiday to somebody. And how long and hard will we be preoccupied with making up some 'measure' that is totally unlike anything else- just so we can say "ours is not popery or pagan"? Again, it is not the setup that makes a 'church' it is the manifestation of God's presence and the fellowship of the saints as it works out in love. If God is not allowed to move what difference does anything else make? The vessel is no greater than the contents. What more doth God need than a group of individuals bent on being the habitation of God?
_________________Jeff Marshalek
This is good stuff here.
Of course, God can break through any of this. He is not limited by our architecture. However, I think our own expectations are often limited by our architecture, and I think God is often 'limited' by our expectations.
_________________Zeke Oosthuis
I love singing, especially hymns, but I have to ask myself what place hymn singing had in the early church. (I know they sang a hymn en route to Gethsemene. Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26) I have a Russian friend who grew in Moscow at the most severe time in the persecutions faced from the communist authorities. I recall her saying that her parents taught her to 'sing' in meeting so that she could hear the voice of the person next to here rather than her own. In effect, this meant 'whisper-singing'. I know that this has also been practised in the ongoing move of God in China where, again, hymn singing would bring them to the attention of the authorities.The early church certainly sang hymns I'm sure, but at times I am equally sure that they kept as quiet as possible. As far as I can recall thesere the references in the Church era to the singing of hymns;Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 1Cor. 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. I don't think this is congregational hymn singingEph. 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. I don't think this is congregational hymn singing either"making melody in your heart" is an interesting concept?I am not trying to ban music from our meetings, only to assess the relative importance, biblically and in contemporary practice. of music and song in our gatherings. There has, for example, long been a tradition of solo singing in evangelistic meetings, and of 'celebrations' which are mainly song orientated meetings. I am just curious that there is so little about these things in the scripture. I suppose I have in mind the quoted comment of Watchman Nee in his visit to the UK. He was asked what he thought of the churches in the UK. His simple answer was 'too much little book, not enough big book'. (ie hymns and bible respectively)Thoughts?
In our pentecostal circles there used to be an attempt made to enter into the presence of God through praise and worship singing, etc. It is believed that God inhabits the praises of his people so then a systematic method modeled after the wilderness tabernacle has been used to lead folk in praise and worship as if they were passing through the various 'courts'. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, etc. These things rely heavily on interpretations of Old Testament types and shadows. It is difficult to articulate here in a few paragraphs, but suffice it to say that there is an attempt to praise and worship God in song- in unity for the purpose of God revealing Himself throughout the services. I recall earlier the term 'atmosphere'. I don't know if this is what I am referring to or not. Yet, there is a desire that God would manifest his presence in the worship service.
RobertYes, I am familiar with that line of thought, and of the later charismatics with their 'building God's throne by praise'. I note however that the Psalm refers to... Psa. 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. ... entering His gates 'with' thanksgiving rather than 'by' praise, and entering His courts 'with' praise rather than 'by' praise.
Yes. I see the distinction. So then what should we make of the whole "entering into the presence of God" thing? The old school pentecostals would 'rev up' a service with high speed songs and such until there was a great excitement. When I came to Christ in 1991 the trend was towards slower and more solemn songs. I suppose the slower songs are more of the 'atmosphere' ones. Are these just measures that can vary from place to place or culture to culture or is their more light on all this that I may be unaware of?
