He felt strongly that the ‘title’ auditorium was much less likely to inspire awe and evoke the feeling of a dedicated place of worship and reverence. In fact, he felt so bothered by this terminology he talked with his Pastor about it who while understanding the parishioners feelings didn’t agree with his thought process.
The Pastor's stance was that where we worship is irrelevant. God can hear us in our homes, in a field, our cars, and yes, in the services we attend.
I remember years ago when we held early morning services outdoors when the weather was warm. It was amazing to listen to the birds sing, the leaves rustling in the wind, and even see the occasional squirrel who would be jumping from limb to limb high atop the trees.
There were, however some distractions. There were cars passing by, or honking as they saw a neighbor, or a dog who was riled by a passerby, at just the time when the service was in a moment of quiet prayer.
During that time during the warm summer months, the inner sanctuary was always a welcome place for me, however. And while I appreciated these outdoor moments in service, I discovered I felt like I was really in God’s presence when I was within those walls! It was in this place where we were separated from the distractions, and could feel the unity of brothers and sisters in Christ with more clarity.
Historically, a sanctuary is a ‘holy place’. We are ‘holy people’ if we have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. We are called out as a people to live our lives separated from the world. We are indeed part of this world, but our lives should project our Christ like attitudes.
The idea of a church building is where we come together to gain encouragement from each other, learn lessons from God’s Word and worship in Spirit and in Truth. Does our attitude about where we worship change with the title of the building we are in?
I contend if I were in McDonald’s or other fast food place, I could, as a Believer witness to another person about my faith, and that is at it should be. I don’t think, however, I would feel like I was worshiping should a service be held there. Distractions. There are just too many distractions! But that doesn’t mean God isn’t there!
In a convoluted sense, that could be how the one person who was so upset about the re-naming of the ‘sanctuary’ felt. The place of worship had lost its holiness. It was no longer held in high esteem as God’s house. It had become just a place to gather, not much different than a high school auditorium or a movie theater.
And that said, I repeat my earlier thought that in these places it doesn’t mean God isn’t there! He is everywhere and wants us to worship him regardless of our surroundings. It has more to do with how we personally view God. When we hold God in high esteem, it matters not where we are, we are in God’s presence. This could be in a sanctuary, or at a fast food restaurant.
Still, …I wonder… if by re-naming our worship places with 'generic names', if we aren’t moving God down just a notch? Share your thoughts!
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