He highlights some positive things:
Control, quality, and efficiency are architectural values associated with theater and mall forms, and equally so with the megachurch. The hard work that preachers and their teams put into their art (much like the practice that goes into perfecting a concert recital) pleases God, stirs people's souls, and witnesses to the world. The use of common places to help restore the human spirit makes the megachurch a less threatening place and fosters amicability toward the gospel and the life of the church... The stage connotes the dramatics of a performance and creates a sense of relaxed anticipation. (121)
As well as some potentially negative things:
In contemporary culture, image is everything. Models pore over their portfolios, singers over their music videos, and preachers over their sermons. Yes, we can do these for Christ's sake, but when this involves advertising, programming, management, and leadership of a large number of people responsible for a variety of activities all geared toward creating the best impression on the visitor, there is a tendency to control the process so as to guarantee the product. This can tempt one to squeeze the Spirit out of the scene and lean on the dynamics of a performance. The larger the church 'corporation' and its image, the greater the pressure to maintain and promote its image. For architecture, this might raise a tension between cultural image and Christian identity. (122)
What do y'all think: do architectural forms have theological significance? Does the physical space that we worship in matter?
2 comments:
I don’t think the architectural aspects or physical size of churches makes one bit of difference to God. I think he wants us to seek him in all we do.
My personal preference is a small more intimate church. Janie and I went to California a few weeks ago and had the opportunity to visit Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church. I’m sure it qualifies as a mega-church and it was packed and overflowing.. As the service began with praise music I nudged our hostess, Marcy, and asked. “Do you remember, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar”?
She answered, “Yes.”
I held my hands out to signify that we had arrived.
The music was excellent. The message was right to the point and all about Him and not about the space we occupied or the people delivering the message.
It didn’t change my attitude about my home church, but if these mega-churches can impact the masses for Christ’s sake I endorse them whole hearedly.
JEP
Dad -
I agree with you that the space we worship in is not God's numero uno priority - He promises to be found when we are seeking Him, and has undoubtedly been found in all sorts of unorthodox places. However, I do think that there are better and worse spaces that we can create, and I would probably attach some theological significance to them.
Your example of Saddleback Church is an excellent one. Rick Warren is great man doing wonderful things, and I am thrilled that there are people like him out there getting the word out to large numbers of people. However, I would have to wonder if it is the best thing if it is reminiscent of 'Jesus Christ Superstar'. Does such a theatrical setting create a feeling of watching a celebrity perform (even with a wonderful script) or a place to truly honor God? I don't think they are mutually exclusive, but still... I think it's an area that could definitely do with some more thought.
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