After watching the videos in the previous post, it got me to thinking about pulpits. In churches today, the pulpit seems to be going the way of the dinosaur. The platform has been replaced by a stage and the pulpit has disappeared. If anything, a clear plastic stand has taken its place—the less noticeable the better. In addition, the Lord’s Table is nowhere to be found. Even in very traditional churches, the Lord’s Table has become nothing more than a convenient, little noticed holder for ornate flower arrangements—but that’s a subject for another post.
Whether we realize it or not, architecture and design means something. A casual observer might not consciously take notice, but all people are influenced by design elements in one way or another. In that way, design and architecture are similar to philosophy and worldview. Regardless of your conscious awareness, it’s there and it permeates and influences everything.
In any auditorium setting, the eyes are drawn to the front and center. Whatever is located at the front and center is the architectural focus of the building. The front and center element indicates what the designers planned as the main purpose of the building. In most churches today, that front-center focus is the stage where the musical instruments are. It matters not whether the stage is populated with a trap set, guitars and keyboards or an orchestra pit—with no conspicuous central pulpit, the focus is entertainment. And whether the entertainment is a contemporary or classical, that is not the purpose of church—regardless if it is called worship or not.
So, what is a pulpit? Basically it’s some type of conspicuous stand-behind desk. The material it’s made of or its construction is not the point. The point is the architectural focus that tells everyone who enters the building what the main purpose for being there is. The main purpose and focus for corporately gathering together is for the public exposition and teaching of the Scripture. All worship (whatever musical style), fellowship, giving, love and encouragement flow from that.
Is there anything inherently sacred about the desk itself? No, but the symbolism is essential to keep the gathered congregation’s focus where it needs to be—front and center, fixed on the expositional preaching and teaching of God’s Word.
As part of the 40th anniversary of John MacArthur’s ministry at Grace Community Church, one of the church members wrote about their pulpit:
May the sacred desk of Brushfork Baptist Church draw our eyes to the right place. And when I stand behind it, may it always remind me of the sacredness of my task to faithfully proclaim God’s Word as foundational and central to all we do.
Nehemiah 8:4-6
Whether we realize it or not, architecture and design means something. A casual observer might not consciously take notice, but all people are influenced by design elements in one way or another. In that way, design and architecture are similar to philosophy and worldview. Regardless of your conscious awareness, it’s there and it permeates and influences everything.
In any auditorium setting, the eyes are drawn to the front and center. Whatever is located at the front and center is the architectural focus of the building. The front and center element indicates what the designers planned as the main purpose of the building. In most churches today, that front-center focus is the stage where the musical instruments are. It matters not whether the stage is populated with a trap set, guitars and keyboards or an orchestra pit—with no conspicuous central pulpit, the focus is entertainment. And whether the entertainment is a contemporary or classical, that is not the purpose of church—regardless if it is called worship or not.
So, what is a pulpit? Basically it’s some type of conspicuous stand-behind desk. The material it’s made of or its construction is not the point. The point is the architectural focus that tells everyone who enters the building what the main purpose for being there is. The main purpose and focus for corporately gathering together is for the public exposition and teaching of the Scripture. All worship (whatever musical style), fellowship, giving, love and encouragement flow from that.
Is there anything inherently sacred about the desk itself? No, but the symbolism is essential to keep the gathered congregation’s focus where it needs to be—front and center, fixed on the expositional preaching and teaching of God’s Word.
As part of the 40th anniversary of John MacArthur’s ministry at Grace Community Church, one of the church members wrote about their pulpit:
When church history refers to the preaching ministry of its heroes, it refers to the pulpit. There is no question that John MacArthur will be noted in the next chapter of church history, specifically for his faithfulness in the pulpit. For the record, he has stood in that sacred desk for over 7,000 hours!During Sunday's celebration, the church presented Dr. MacArthur with a specially commissioned painting of that pulpit which I have included above.
Our pulpit is 45 inches tall (when fully elevated), 58 inches wide and 27 inches deep. It is famous for being one of the first to be installed with a hydraulic lift, so that it can be adjusted for height, and so that it can be hidden beneath the platform to reveal the baptistery. Its unique shape offers maximum surface area from which to work, allowing the preacher ample room for the Scriptures and his notes. Our pulpit is not particularly ornate, and intentionally so. Its purpose is not to draw attention to itself, but to exalt the Word of God as it is proclaimed to His people.
It is the proclamation of the truth from our pulpit that makes it special. Like Ezra, who read the Scripture and explained its meaning to the people, so our pastor proclaims God’s Word to us each week. As a result, the pulpit at Grace Church has an unparalleled reputation for being a place where expositional preaching meets an eager congregation.
May the sacred desk of Brushfork Baptist Church draw our eyes to the right place. And when I stand behind it, may it always remind me of the sacredness of my task to faithfully proclaim God’s Word as foundational and central to all we do.
Nehemiah 8:4-6
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