I came across this definition from Wikipedia on “the pulpit”:
“In many Evangelical Christian churches, the pulpit stands squarely in the center of the platform, and is generally the largest piece of church furniture. This is to symbolize the proclamation of the Word of God as the central focus of the weekly service of worship. In more contemporary evangelical churches, the pulpit may be much smaller, if used at all, and is generally carried out after the end of the song service. However, it usually is placed in the center of the platform as well.” (emphasis mine)
After visiting over 30 churches here in the Portland area last year in search of a church, I noticed that one line was so accurate from the above definition: “In more contemporary evangelical churches, the pulpit may be much smaller, if used at all.“
So, where have some pulpits gone in various churches today? For those of you who attend church where you see a pulpit every Sunday, this question won’t even cross your mind. But visit a few churches around you and you’ll see various other pieces of furniture on the platform in place of the large, sturdy, wooden pulpit:
A bar stool
A music stand
A thin podium
Or simply nothing at all to preach from
I whole heartily agree with Steven Koster in his balanced view of the centrality of a pulpit:
“In Reformed churches, the tradition has been to put the Pulpit in the center because of the centrality of preaching and the Word as a means of grace. The Pulpit is not just a utility stand for the preacher to use to hold his notes, but a weighty visual anchor to point to the significance of the proclaimed Word itself (which is why some churches have favored massive pulpits). In fact, some churches have a big pulpit (with Bible) in the center that is used only for preaching, with a smaller lectern to the side used for other readings and worship leading.
In contemporary times, we’ve seen a reduction of pulpit size generally because of our culture’s increasing emphasis on the person doing the preaching. We don’t want our preachers hiding behind a wall. We want to see them, and connect with them as people, not just with their spoken ideas. That emphasis has its pastor-as-rock-star dangers of course, but it’s also an expression of the incarnated Word. God comes to us not as an idea, but as a person who empties himself of greatness and loves and suffers and dies along side us and in our place. The preacher does the same in trying to bear witness with their whole being.
So I think the way we’ve reduced the pulpit is entirely appropriate, though I’d rather not see the pulpit disappear altogether. The Word is still central. And even more than the Pulpit, we should find a place for the Bible as a visual reminder.”
29 responses so far ↓
Nick Higgins // June 14, 2009 at 4:37 pm |
Erik, you’re getting soft! I was expecting to be called a heathen for not continuing with a non-biblical tradition
I use a pub-table. It’s not a statement, but simply was WAY cheaper than a pulpit (have you checked the price on those things? We’re ALL in the wrong line of work!) and since I am in a very informal town–not to mention my informal paper mill town upbringing–it just kind of fit.
I don’t care so much about the furniture that is used, if any at all, but am much more concerned with what is being said from behind, in front, beside, or instead of them.
Erik // June 14, 2009 at 8:42 pm |
A pub-table Nick? That’s it, I’m tossing you into the Emergent boat. I can’t believe you would lead your flock down that slippery path of sin and make it so visible.
Gary // June 15, 2009 at 6:52 am |
interesting research – I wonder how many churches you found that did not display a cross, either?
Brendt Waters // June 15, 2009 at 7:37 am |
I largely agree with your excerpt of Koster’s view, though my first reaction is that the tradition of a formal pulpit is an even greater “emphasis on the person doing the preaching”.
Although it is an extreme example, the first picture you used to illustrate the post practically screams, “This location is for clergy only. We’d better not catch your laity glutes anywhere near it.” Even without the stairs and the blocking rope, this is how many pulpits are regarded/wielded.
Knight // June 15, 2009 at 7:49 am |
I have noticed over the years that Christians tend to do what I call “ride the pendulum.” That is to say we react so strongly against something we see to be wrong that we go too far the other way.
This is what I think has happened with the pulpit. Many churches, I think, do away with the pulpit because they think it is intimidating to those in the audience. Others have more practical reasons (i.e.: lack of funds.)
Much of what we do in church, if taken as an example of the respect we show our Lord, can speak volumes about how we view Him. The first picture says “Don’t get too close unless you have been authorized to approach.” The last picture would imply that ticket purchases would be required.
I think there is room for balance on this issue. We should treat the preaching and proclaiming of the Word of God with all due reverence and respect but we should never give the impression that we need special permission to approach God.
Steve // June 15, 2009 at 7:59 am |
Did Jesus use a pulpit? The apostles?
Nor does the fact a pulpit is present provide any assurance that the Word will be taught clearly and correctly. I lament more the fact the Word is not taught as it should be than the fact pulpits are shrinking or disappearing.
Knight // June 15, 2009 at 8:23 am |
Steve,
I will join you in that lament. However, the presence, or lack thereof, of a pulpit has little to do with that issue.
Wes Wetherell // June 15, 2009 at 8:30 am |
Erik,
Very interesting thought… great point. I think it’s especially important to note the symbolism of the pulpit – even for those who’s preaching is biblical, we risk undermining our message (or at least confusing it) by how – as well as what – we do.
Vanishing Pulpits « Unashamed Workman // June 15, 2009 at 8:56 am |
[...] winning! The phenomenon of downsizing, or even disposing of the pulpit is growing in the USA (see “O Pulpit, Where Art Thou?”) , and by my observation, building momentum here too. Of course, pulpits aren’t necessarily [...]
Mrs. Erven // June 15, 2009 at 10:06 am |
Our church got rid of our pulpit for the only reason that it isn’t good for communication. As a teacher, I don’t stand behind a podium because it puts a barrier between my students and me. It makes things feel very formal and separate.
Since, we’re all the “priesthood of believers,” a lack of division between the congregation and the pastor is helpful. Keeps us all feeling that no one’s above the other.
As for the centrality of the Word, God’s Word should be in each of our hands as the pastor reads and teaches.
Thanks for the great blog!
Jason // June 15, 2009 at 3:00 pm |
I agree wholeheartedly with some of the thoughts and comments here.
A pulpit (or the lack thereof) is no guarantee that the Word will be preached. If a pulpit helps a preacher to do a better job in their task, then by all means, use a pulpit. If its absence enables one to attend to the effective communication of the Word to the congregation, then use it for firewood for all I care.
If one has a pulpit for simply for its symbolic value and starts patting themselves on the back for the “central” place of the Word in their church, yet fails to teach the Scriptures accurately and faithfully, then it would seem to be hypocrisy more than symbol.
To pulpit or not to pulpit – that IS the question… : Think Theology // June 15, 2009 at 9:09 pm |
[...] questions. Actually, great questions. Erik also makes some good points in O Pulpit Where Art Thou? [...]
Josh // June 15, 2009 at 9:31 pm |
I would love to have a massive pulpit from which to preach. The problem is that we’re still a home church and I’m not sure my wife would approve of one taking up so much space in the living room.
Lewsta // June 16, 2009 at 12:31 pm |
The first responder has it right, the underlying critical principal being that the pulpit is merely a TOOL to enable the workman to do his work more perfectly. Some choose not to use a wooden/metal “tool”, others a large ornate thing. The central function, however, is that the work be done… that God’s Word be faithfully and accurately taught the people when gathered together for their Believers’ Meeting. Kitchen table, bar stool, music stand, gothic tabernacle, none of them matter in the slightest. WHAT is going forth from the mouth of the teacher? IN far too many instances, not much, or, even worse, wrong teaching. Get the teaching bit right, the rest will either come round right as well, or be found to matter for nought. And a return to a strong pulpit (as in, the ministry normally given from same, not the furniture/lack thereof itself) is the critical bit missing in far too much of the church in America today. Pardon, in the Western cultures.
Ron // June 17, 2009 at 8:37 am |
Jesus didn’t use a pulpit. He “sat down” when teaching (Matt. 5:1).
Sitting was the common posture Rabbis would assume when teaching. It communicated authority. This is why the Pope in the Catholic Church always speaks from a seated position or ex cathedra meaning “from his chair.”
Jesus not only assumed the position of authority, but when he spoke the people actually received his words as authoritative (Matt. 7:28-29). His words rang with authoriity becase he spoke the truth. He also embodied the truth by saying “I am the truth” (John 14:6) and promised to set people free by the truth (John 8:36).
Communicating the authoritative word of God has little to do with furniture.
Nick Higgins // June 17, 2009 at 8:51 am |
Thanks Erik, that’s MUCH better!
Erik // June 17, 2009 at 6:01 pm |
Thanks for the thought provoking comments from above.
I freely admit that I’m quite the traditionalist and would rather see a pulpit at the center of the platform for the preacher to place his notes and Bible on. I certainly realize that this is not a Biblical issue which I’ve brought up but rather, an observation that I’ve made when I visited over 30 churches in the Portland area.
Here are a few observations from the preachers who did NOT use a pulpit:
* A topical sermon was often the preference over an expository sermon.
* Power point was used quite frequently to flash the verse(s) on the jumbo screen that the preacher was using (this is a whole other blog topic in and of itself!).
* A tendency to walk around…a lot. Which I noticed gave way to more stories, illustrations, jokes and less on the substance of the Biblical text.
* A more overall casual approach while on stage. Most of the preachers I observed were informal in their clothes (some jeans, some untucked shirts, etc) and thus rather informal with their preaching (talk?). [Again, just observations.]
Were all those who used pulpits during my visits expository in nature whereby they did solid Biblical exegesis and give solid application? No. Matter of fact, some of the preachers who relied on a pulpit were downright boring and stuffy and seemed to stay more in Ephesus than in Portland.
However, for the most part those who preached from a pulpit seemed to rely more on their Bible, their notes and staying focused on the message.
Again, these are just some simple observations from a guy sitting in a pew. Feel free to tar and feather me now.
Latest Links | blog of dan // June 22, 2009 at 12:17 am |
[...] O Pulpit Where Art Thou? [...]
Juno // June 22, 2009 at 7:36 am |
I amazed at the energy being used to read and even discuss this topic….well not amazed, probably more disgusted and surprised it made it into publication. Maybe its time for me to unscribe to Smart Ministries emails and get something that really matters and is relevant to peoples lives.
Tom Smith // June 22, 2009 at 10:10 am |
In our church we have a medium size pulpit, not for any other purpose except to hold all the electronics and stuff I use as pastor.
You see we are a very small church family, and we have none other to run all the things. The PA system and computer, wireless mic. recording system, and hearing assistance transmitter all are inside the pulpit. Try that WITHOUT STAFF and a separate place for the equipment. (I also am a bi-vocational pastor)!
And yes I do preach expositorialy, and yes I do walk around some, (Wireless mic.) Oh yea, and sometimes I sit, not for emphasis, but I am usually tired. (Did I mention I am a Bi-Vo, and old)?
My Bible readers and special music people, use the same piece of furniture too.
We also prominently display The Bible on the Communion Table, FRONT AND CENTER, open to the day’s scripture.
All in all it works OK, except on those infernal days, when the electronics has a mind of it’s own. Then it is a distraction from preaching the word.
Oh well, It works for us.
I would mention in closing, the I would still preach The Word from the floor, the parking lot, the lawn, or from our family’s living room. “PREACH THE WORD” Brothers.
Pastor Tom, Mountain View So. Baptist Church.
bbuudd // June 23, 2009 at 8:52 am |
When I arrived, there was no cross – the pulpit was in the center, and the American flag and Christian flag were prominent symbols.
We have moved to a split chancel – symbolizing that I am not the central figure, Christ is. We now have a cross in the center – behind the plane of the pulpit. And I have tried, oh how I have tried, to move those flags off the stage. Several conversations, several suggested alternatives, etc. – but it always comes down to one person – one “no” vote – that always is allowed to win.
The problem I see in churches is not so much the centrality of the Bible, but the centrality of Jesus. A parallel problem is the inability to see the HUGE difference between the cross and the flag.
Don’t Waste Your Pulpit « Kowalker.com // June 26, 2009 at 9:34 pm |
[...] 26, 2009 by Erik “The best way to waste your own pulpit is to preach your own thoughts instead of preaching God’s [...]
Debbie // June 28, 2009 at 4:13 pm |
Interesting observation, Eric. Oregon’s culture is definitely not that of Connecticut, nor that of the Midwest.
I know exactly what you are speaking of as we have had opportunity to visit several churches in the Portland area. Frankly, the piece of furniture referred to as a pulpit or its absence wasn’t what grabbed my attention but rather the absence of Bibles in the hands of the congregation.
We recently left our home church because that was the trend–no Bibles were brought. If the Bible is truly central to what we believe and how we are to live, we need to dig in! Not only is it an example to new believers, but quite frankly, we all need to be Bereans these days.
We are now at a church that doesn’t have a pulpit. The pastor sits on a stool and has a small table on which he uses to place his Mac and his Bible. Before he begins, he requests everyone who came without a Bible to raise their hands and then several people pass out new leather-bound Bibles to anyone without one. They are told to keep it if they don’t own a Bible or to leave it on the chair when the service is over if they do. The bulletins have a clean sheet of paper for note-taking, and we are encouraged to do so. Expository teaching is the norm here.
It’s refreshing! Most importantly for me is that my kids are hearing God’s Word and are being challenged to live it out. And it is taking root!
Erik // June 28, 2009 at 4:46 pm |
Sadly Debbie, you’re right on. I too noticed that exact same thing while visiting other churches: pew sitters listening to the sermons without Bibles in hand. It’s yet another indication of our Biblical illiteracy within the church and the dumbing down of preaching.
I asked a Pastor following one of my visits why most people in his church did not bring their Bibles. His response was that he didn’t want the new believers and non-believers sitting in the church to feel uncomfortable if they didn’t know where a particular verse was when asked to turn to it. Unbelievable.
Dave // July 14, 2009 at 8:13 pm |
Since when did we stop sitting to preach? It seems that was the Jewish tradition. Maybe the bar stool has a future!
Todd // July 19, 2009 at 9:56 am |
Interesting observations. Could ‘the pulpit’ be a traditional/cultural aspect of the church? My question would be, ‘where in the Bible do we see a doctrine of the used pulpit?’ Nowhere.
However we view the pulpit… is a thought or tradition that is rooted in/from our experiences. Trying to identify what the pulpit ’signifies’ is born out of history, not theology.
Why don’t we preach with ‘hell-fire and brimstone’ anymore? Because the culture has changed in accepting that as the evangelistic tool to reach the masses. Not to mention, in history, that is the era when many of the cults were born.
So why not the pulpit? Because speakers have found that they can become closer to their audience. And that is probably also why you see more transparency and more personal stories in sermons. There is more eye contact, and more body language than ever… in order to communicate.
Definitely, our focus has changed! I for one, like the pulpit, because it can house all my notes! But when I really prepare… all I need is my Bible in my hand… and the Spirit in my heart.
Erik // July 19, 2009 at 1:12 pm |
Todd,
Solid point on the pulpit being ‘born out of history’…biblical, Old Testament history? (Here’s Nehemiah 8:4a as my “proof text”)…just kidding!
If anything the pulpit (however large or small) should give the impression in the minds of a person in the pew that he/she will be hearing from God’s Book through the preacher.
If a preacher gets up to speak and doesn’t have a pulpit, please, just do as Nehemiah 8:1 says and “bring the book.”
Jane // July 19, 2009 at 6:13 pm |
I think the pictures you showed are interesting, especially the big stage. I like to see the pastor in the pulpit sometimes and also sometimes walking around among us preaching. The Communion table is more important to me and also
a place to kneel and pray. But I go to a small church. I also like to see our pastor sometimes in a robe, sometimes just in casual clothes. I like the new praise choruses and also the old hymns.
It is blessed to have those options as we are stretching ourselves
to be better Christians and not get in a rut or a skid in either direction. I thought the “pendulum” comment was good. Our pastor is emphasizing Unity as the most important thing of all. I like it when she reads passages from the Bible and we read along. She is not raise her voice or browbeat us, but always concludes by insisting we ask “how does this apply to my life?”
Also reminds us not to get the “big head” (self-importance) and how smelly that is and I realize that applies to me (oh dear)
Leon Brown // August 24, 2009 at 2:27 pm |
It was great to run across this site. Thanks!
Leon