One of the blessings of being Minister at the Itawamba Christian Church is the daily joy I experience as I enter the building where we meet to Worship, Study and Fellowship. Of special note is the Sanctuary, the place where we gather each week for worship. The high ceilings and beautiful stained-glass windows have inspired me on many occasions. I know that this beautiful tool has been a help to so many in the various places on their spiritual journey.
What some of you may not know is that the Itawamba Christian Church hasn’t always met at 305 W. Wiygul St. In fact, other meeting places were less “traditional” and much less grand. The congregation met together to worship God in what they could find and afford. Given this historical reality, one might conclude that “where” a congregation meet is really of little importance. Truly, God is worshipped by congregations around the globe in cathedrals, tents, the beach, schools, funeral homes, shopping centers, etc. Like with the history of ICC, congregations met where they could based on a variety of factors from affordability, location, capacity, etc.
I suppose some might say, “who cares?” Does it really matter where congregations meet? Isn’t what takes place the “important” thing? I think the answer to this is what one believes about “sacred space”. I typically encounter 3 different understandings people have about such matters. Let me explain:
First, some believe, like in the days of the Old Testament tabernacle and temple that these meeting places are important for a variety of reasons but especially because they were the place where the “glory of the Lord” would be. In other words, the idea of tabernacle or temple being thought of “God’s House” wasn’t hard to grasp. Some still have this way of thinking as a part of their understanding of “sacred space”.
Next, some believe that the physical edifice where a congregation meet is of zero importance at all. They would suggest that what makes any building or structure appropriate for a congregation to worship is the “congregation”. Since the Spirit of Christ indwells all believers in Christ, what’s important isn’t the building but the people. Each congregation would make a decision about where to assemble based on a very different set of criteria than the first group I described.
Lastly, there are those who find themselves in a little bit of each of the previous two. In full disclosure, this is where I find my own way of viewing the subject. While realizing that there is nothing “spiritual” about brick, mortar or even the most beautiful furnishings, there is still something awe inspiring about them. When I come to the pulpit, the place where God’s Word will be spoken or just in front of it, the Table for the Lord’s Supper, where the Bread of Life will be shared and the covenant of God renewed, it causes me to pause to drink it in. When I see the narrative of Jesus’ life from birth to reigning His in the new heavens and new earth vividly displayed in stained-glass windows, it renews me. When I look at the baptistry, I am reminded of the place where heaven and earth come together as the blood of Christ is applied through the forgiveness of sins and the promised Holy Spirit enters a new child of the King.
In my life as a minister for Christ I have preached in gyms, tents, open air environments, stores, as well as beautiful chapels. Sacred space isn’t just about the “physical space” but rather the places where God has promised to be present: in the waters of baptism, in the joining of a man and woman in marriage, the going to the world with the Gospel, the living in harmony and purpose with one another because Christ-followers are compared by the Apostle Paul to a “living Temple” and of course the daily interaction we have as Christ-followers to the leading and guidance of the Indwelling Holy Spirit.
My point, don’t let the abundance of or lack of physical worship aids to become a deterrent to your worship of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! But also, don’t diminish the inspirational and symbolic meaning that church building furnishings can have with some Christ-followers. And most importantly, don’t diminish what the Bible teaches regarding the presence of the Lord, the coming together of heaven and earth, nor each Christ-followers role in being a priest and ambassador for the King here and now.
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