As we continue our discussion of Thomas Long's book, "Beyond the Worship Wars - Building Vital and Faithful Worship", we turn to the fifth quality of vital and faithful congregations.  According to Dr. Long, "Vital and Faithful congregations creatively adapt the space and environment of worship."  According to Dr. Long, "a good worship space is not merely the result of decor; it is also the product of mature theological reflection about the nature of worship.  Form follows function, and well planned sanctuaries communicate by their very design the kind of worship that takes place within."

 

Without question our sanctuary is wonderfully suited for our style of traditional, Reformed, worship.  We have a large chancel area with beautiful wood work, which offers a warm open and inviting space for good sized groups to share in the leadership of our worship.  We have an extraordinary pipe organ to accompany our worship.  Our three aisles offer the opportunity to use that space creatively and to encourage congregational involvement in our worship.  Even when our congregation is not gathered for worship, our sanctuary is a worshipful place to be.  We have been blessed with a wonderful place of sacred space.

 

One of the foundational beliefs of Presbyterians is that the church is "reformed, always being reformed, by the Word of God."  So while we hold fast to our theological heritage, when it comes to worship and ministry, we do so, with the understanding that God is "making all things new."  So the question we must ask is "Are there new ways for us to use our worship space?"

 

As I consider this question, most of the changes that come to mind would be structural and cost prohibitive.  Increasing the size of our narthex, which would in turn decrease the seating capacity of our sanctuary, for the purpose of creating a gathering place near our sanctuary.  Enhancing the lighting in the narthex and replacing the heavy wooden doors with glass.  All of these would create a more inviting atmosphere.

 

While I love our beautiful wooden doors, they may give the feeling of a fortress, keeping "outsiders" at bay.  Likewise, a brighter, more open narthex, with a natural flow into our garden, would help to create a natural gathering place for fellowship before and after worship, where now we lose people on the way to coffee hour.

 

As for the sanctuary itself, I am not sure there is much for us to do.  We've enhanced the lighting and the sound system.  Some have asked about a more permanent set up for a projector and screen.  However, our chancel isn't set up in a way that this could be done well.  Where would the projector and screens be mounted?  There is no ceiling, per se, and a central screen would cover the cross.

 

One area that I hope we will continue to explore is with new paraments and banners.  The new paraments, especially the blue ones for Advent, and the Easter banners offered a wonderful "freshness" to our worship space.  Hopefully, we will continue to add to our resources here.

 

All of this is to say, we are blessed to have the worship space we have.  Unlike so many sanctuaries which have become obsolete or serve as impediments to worship, our sanctuary still holds a vitality and freshness as a sacred space.  Neverthless, as God is making all things new, we too should be open to reflecting upon our use of this space.  Are there things we could be doing to keep our sanctuary the vital and inviting space it is?