Church buildings reflect differing ways of worshiping God

Christian churches in the United Kingdom have many different features, which are designed to help people worship God. The features and layout of different denominations can differ somewhat.

Roman Catholic churches are traditionally built in the shape of a cross facing Jerusalem. The east end of the church is called the sanctuary and contains

• The altar – a table where the bread and wine are blessed during the Mass
• The lectern – a stand from where the Bible is read
• The pulpit – where the priest delivers his sermons
• A crucifix – a cross with Jesus on the cross

There is a rail which separates the sanctuary from the place where the congregation sits. In the nave there are often rows of pews where people sit. Around the church there are fourteen framed pictures, known as the ‘Stations of the Cross’ which show the events of Jesus’ crucifixion. Other features that are normally found include:

• A font – a large stone bowl containing holy water used to baptise babies
• A stoup – usually a small basin containing holy water, into which Roman Catholics dip their hand in to make the sign of the cross to renew their baptismal promises
• Statues of religious figures: for example Jesus, Mary, or some of the saints
• Stained glass windows – often depicting stories from the Bible
• Candles – often lit by worshippers when they are praying
• An organ to accompany the singing of hymns
• A confessional – a small enclosed space, where worshippers can confess their sins to the priest

Anglican churches can be similar in appearance to Roman Catholic churches. They are also often in the shape of a cross, with a sanctuary at the east end. Most Anglican churches are often a lot plainer than Roman Catholic churches and have fewer statues and candles. However, not all Anglican churches are a lot plainer than other churches: for instance, Anglo-Catholic churches in many respects appear similar to Roman Catholic churches. Anglican cathedrals often have stained glass windows as also statues of religious figures. But one difference between almost all Anglican churches and Roman Catholic churches is that that they have a simple cross displayed rather than a crucifix.

Nonconformist churches (Baptists and United Reformed Church) have a different lay-out to their church buildings.  Traditionally there is no centre aisle, instead there are two side aisles. This is because at the front of the church there is a high central pulpit from which preachers expound God’s Word.  Beneath the high pulpit there is the Lord’s Table – not an altar – where the minister presides at the Lord’s Supper.  Whenever the Lord’s Supper is celebrated, the deacons or elders sit either side of the minister around the Lord’s Table. Underneath the Lord’s Table most Baptist churches have a baptistery, where people are baptized by immersion and in so doing they not only identify with Jesus who died and rose for them, but also they in turn die to self and seek to live for Jesus for the rest of their lives. When I was a church minister, we had an organ for singing hymns along with a worship band for singing modern songs. In the old days every church had hymnbooks, but today in most Baptist churches hymnbooks are no longer used because the hymns and songs are projected onto a screen. Most Nonconformist churches do not have stained glass, instead they have clear glass because in the words of Thomas Fuller, a 17^th century clergyman, “Light, eldest daughter is a principal beauty in a building”.  Light is a symbol of the presence of God: so the Apostle Paul ascribed glory to God, “who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6.16). Similarly, the Apostle John declared, “God is light; and in him there is no darkness at all” 1 John 1.5). Apart from Christmas, when Nonconformist churches may have Advent candles, candles are not normally lit. The only exception I am aware of is that when I was minister of Central Baptist Church, on the Sunday nearest to All Saints Day, I used to encourage people to come and light a candle for friends and loved ones who had died, and in doing so they affirmed their faith that their friends or loved ones was in the presence of God.

Charismatic independent churches have much in common with many Baptist churches. However, in many of these churches there is no pulpit, but just a lectern. Centre stage is the worship band. The band and the singers sway in time to the beat of the drum, and encourage the congregation to do the same. In many of these churches church has become religious entertainment: the focus has subtly switched from giving glory to God to making the ‘punters’ feel good. Some of these churches will have a Table for when they celebrate the Lord’s Supper. However, I have been present at some charismatic independent churches where the bread and wine are put on the floor before the bread and wine is distributed to the worshippers. Indeed, I have been at worship services where small tables are scattered around the room, where worshippers help themselves to the bread and wine! As far as I am concerned this is an abuse of the Lord’s Supper.

To sum up, church buildings certainly reflect different ways of worshipping God.