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whoah! never thought of that, but yes, it does look like a coffin. or a sarcophagus, i think would be the more correct word.
the church i grew up in had both, and used the 'altar' to store the communion wine/bread and offering plates. the ministers & elders would pray over these, standing there, before passing them around the congregation. and whoever was preaching or reading from scripture would do that from one of two lecterns on either side of the room.
the church i'm at now just has a podium. when we do communion (the church i grew up in did it every week, but this one only about 4 times a year), they move a table into the front of the room & put those things there, but otherwise there's no table/altar/liturgical-center.
anyway back to the OP -- yeah, i had the same thought, that it would be distracting for the congregation to be watching the public walk by out the windows during the service . . ? & certain times of year, would bright sunlight be pouring in?
i've been in hundreds of churches, because i worked as a pipe organ builder for ~ 5 years, and i've never seen one laid out like that. the main entrance was always at the back of the 'sanctuary' not the front. some (like Episcopal & Catholic for example) have a water basin close to the entrance, sort of right in the way of traffic, that's there for people to do a ceremonial cleansing with when they enter. but still the place the preacher stands and all is at the far end of the room when you walk in, or to the right or left if there's a side-entrance, in every church i've ever been to.
the church i grew up in had both, and used the 'altar' to store the communion wine/bread and offering plates. the ministers & elders would pray over these, standing there, before passing them around the congregation. and whoever was preaching or reading from scripture would do that from one of two lecterns on either side of the room.
the church i'm at now just has a podium. when we do communion (the church i grew up in did it every week, but this one only about 4 times a year), they move a table into the front of the room & put those things there, but otherwise there's no table/altar/liturgical-center.
anyway back to the OP -- yeah, i had the same thought, that it would be distracting for the congregation to be watching the public walk by out the windows during the service . . ? & certain times of year, would bright sunlight be pouring in?
i've been in hundreds of churches, because i worked as a pipe organ builder for ~ 5 years, and i've never seen one laid out like that. the main entrance was always at the back of the 'sanctuary' not the front. some (like Episcopal & Catholic for example) have a water basin close to the entrance, sort of right in the way of traffic, that's there for people to do a ceremonial cleansing with when they enter. but still the place the preacher stands and all is at the far end of the room when you walk in, or to the right or left if there's a side-entrance, in every church i've ever been to.
L
Yes, that may be his position, which is why I am a bit torn. I get what he wants to do, evangelizing is what we should all do, but to congregated to praise and worship is a bit different. I am open though to hear different thoughts. Maybe I am right, maybe I am wrong, but a solution can always be found by searching for an answer that brings me peace.
R
i have never heard of the altar area being placed at the entrance...i would like to hear the reason for doing this though...traditionally the altar has always been at the front so that you 'approach God' as you come to worship...but maybe there is an interesting insight giving a reason to flip it around...
i will say though that some churches have their baptismal area near the entrance...the idea being that with your baptism you officially 'enter' the family of God...
i will say though that some churches have their baptismal area near the entrance...the idea being that with your baptism you officially 'enter' the family of God...
R
this is a really neat altar...
i imagine that the ripe grape vines on the cloth and on the altar itself symbolize the lord's supper and the bountiful way in which God gives us his grace...
the illustrations underneath show people and angels with their heads bowed to christ in the center...who is seated on his throne presenting the opened book of the scriptures to the congregation...
i imagine that the ripe grape vines on the cloth and on the altar itself symbolize the lord's supper and the bountiful way in which God gives us his grace...
the illustrations underneath show people and angels with their heads bowed to christ in the center...who is seated on his throne presenting the opened book of the scriptures to the congregation...
P
Most churches I've been in, the pulpit sits on an elevated area, kind of a little stage you might say. The altar is in front of it on the floor.
A lot of churches will also have the donation box on it. My understanding is it is located there so the pastor will be able to easily lend a hand and prayer. It is also used to keep tissues and anointing oil on.
A lot of churches will also have the donation box on it. My understanding is it is located there so the pastor will be able to easily lend a hand and prayer. It is also used to keep tissues and anointing oil on.
Hmm! I guess Baptists pretty much have a stage or "platform" for the more conservative pastors. The pastor usually has a lectern, or pulpit, but it is quite moveable, and it often appears after the worship service from the side. Except during special presentations, in which the pastor has to just wing it with his Bible in one hand.
My present congregation is a 1950's style church. It has stained glass windows, and was originally designed to walk in one end, with the "altar" at the other end. But that means some people are far from the front, so the pews were removed, a stage built in the middle, and chairs put in facing the front. That way, the chairs are only about 8 rows deep, and everyone is close to the front. The worship band plays on the "stage" and the pastor preaches from a pulpit below the stage. Since I cannot stand or walk these days, I will be sitting on my stool to preach.
I guess whatever works for the pastor and the congregation. The only thing wrong with any system, is that people tend to sit in the same places. That means they get to know the people around them, but often don't even recognize people who sit on the opposite side of the church. I guess that is where prayer meetings, Bible studies and small groups are good - because you get to know people who don't sit on the same "side" of the church.
As for the OP, I would talk to your pastor or elders and see what they think about having the pulpit at the entrance. I think the big distraction would be people going out if their kids need attention. I have to admit, it would probably be quite distracting.
My present congregation is a 1950's style church. It has stained glass windows, and was originally designed to walk in one end, with the "altar" at the other end. But that means some people are far from the front, so the pews were removed, a stage built in the middle, and chairs put in facing the front. That way, the chairs are only about 8 rows deep, and everyone is close to the front. The worship band plays on the "stage" and the pastor preaches from a pulpit below the stage. Since I cannot stand or walk these days, I will be sitting on my stool to preach.
I guess whatever works for the pastor and the congregation. The only thing wrong with any system, is that people tend to sit in the same places. That means they get to know the people around them, but often don't even recognize people who sit on the opposite side of the church. I guess that is where prayer meetings, Bible studies and small groups are good - because you get to know people who don't sit on the same "side" of the church.
As for the OP, I would talk to your pastor or elders and see what they think about having the pulpit at the entrance. I think the big distraction would be people going out if their kids need attention. I have to admit, it would probably be quite distracting.
