How much does atmosphere impact worship? It's a question that I've been asking myself lately.
On the one hand, I believe that the way a place looks has a profound impact on worship. I think Protestants can learn something from our Catholic friends. Josh, our son, spent the summer in Sicily. He had the opportunity to visit a number of beautiful churches on the island. The artwork and the architecture spoke profoundly of God's glory. Having seen a few new world cathedrals, I know that it is when standing in such a space that it's impossible not for one's eyes to be drawn heavenward. There is a sense of awe which comes just from being present. Obviously, these builders and artists sought to demonstrate their believe in God's majesty by what they created.
As I look around our sanctuary, I ask myself, what does this space say about what we believe about God? It might be interesting to survey the congregation and get their opinions. It could be even more interesting to survey visitors. The latter would likely give a more unbiased answer. I doubt if in most Protestant churches the answer would be "the majesty of God," though every congregation would profess that the belief in the majesty of God would be among its core beliefs.
On the other hand, some of the most wonderful times of worship I've ever experienced have had nothing whatsoever to do with where I was. I still remember after 25 years sitting on a friend's deck singing along with a guitar. Or at a Cursillo held in a old school house where I gave my heart to Christ. Or around a campfire.
I guess I need to keep on pondering the question.
I believe both have their place. Some are moved by the surroundings, while others can actually be turned off if they had bad experiences early on in church.
I wore my robe for the first time yesterday and I could tell that many of the older and/or more traditionalists in my congregation were genuinely happy. Some just think it "ought" to be done that way. But others get more of sense that God can speak to them from the pulpit if I am robed up. There is more of a reverence and that I'm set apart to speak for God instead of me.
On the other hand, I don't wear a robe because from what I've been taught, many of our visitors are looking for a place they can fit in and not have to be part of a church that placed more importance on outward stuff then on the person. I don't wear the robe to show that in our church it doesn't matter what's on the outside...it's what's on the inside that is important. Some will see it that way and others won't.
I guess that my long-winded point is simply that people are different and that some will be attracted by some things while others will not. Some will be affected by some things while others will not. Some will find a true experience with Christ during the Sacraments, some on the porch playing guitar, some in a cathedral, some in a praise service. As for me...I've experienced God in all those surroundings. Maybe it's not that we can't experience Him in other places, but that we simply won't allow ourselves.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Posted by: Greg Hazelrig | September 03, 2007 at 11:04 AM
It's connecting with God that matters - and that in itself creates atmosphere
personally - probably because i live in Europe - I find those ornate cathedrals very un-stimulating even stifling - and will take a camp fire meeting (hopefully minus the mosquitoes) every time!
Posted by: Lorna (see-through faith) | September 04, 2007 at 11:12 AM