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ginormous pulpits
By Kyle | October 3, 2008
There is a trend that has swept the globe among evangelical churches. It started in the early nineties and is essentially history now. In the church where I am on staff we followed this trend many years ago, but it was official on Thursday. The trend that I am talking about is the removal of the ginormous pulpit from the platform. You know those pulpits that are the size of an SUV? The pulpits so big the elderly woman singing special music disappears behind? The pulpits that have wings on them? They were a landmark of the average church during the years of my childhood. Now in most churches a simple music stand or modern looking podium that doesn’t hide the drum set has taken its place.
I am in my third year as youth pastor at Grace Church. It wasn’t long after I began my ministry here that I discovered the baptistery restroom. It’s closer to my office and the paper towel dispenser actually gives me enough towel to dry my hands so that is my restroom of choice. Since before I began here at Grace our ‘ginormous pulpit’ has been a doorstop for the men’s baptistery restroom. I’m not sure when it left it’s place of prominence at center stage and became the men’s restroom doorstop, but I have heard rumors it was late last century.
Thursday our big pulpit went in the dumpster. It was official. Gone are the days of the ginormous pulpit here at Grace.
As I thought more on the occasion I could not help but spiritualize the situation. I wondered how many of the churches that followed this trend in the last two decades had gotten rid of more than just the big pulpit. How many had replaced the message also? In its place is a message that is smaller and more modern looking, one that moves easily if need be. I am thankful to be on staff in a church were the message has not changed even though it comes from behind one of those modern looking podiums.
It is my desire to preach the unchanging message of the Word until I leave this earth. I hope that someday I get my own pulpit to preach from and when I do I want it to be a ginormous pulpit made of solid oak.
Topics: preaching |
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I’m proud of you… grateful for you. There are multitudes that still need to hear thunder in the pulpit… clear Herald of the King crying out stories and the Story… Stay with it, Kyle
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:40 pm
That looks soooo sad.
I’m glad you will have a big pulpit made of solid oak, some things should stay the same.
October 4th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Which reminds me…
The pulpit at Grace Church which John MacArthur preaches from every week
October 4th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Hahahaha……….
Dude thats hilarious…only not really…..kinda sad.
When I grow up and have my big church I am going to have a ginormus pulpit.
Walk softly and carry a big pulpit
chuk
October 4th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
everyone needs to check out that link from Kevin’s comment. wow, now that’s a pulpit!
October 6th, 2008 at 10:52 am
THAT IS SUCH A SAD PICTURE…..
WHAT A SERMON ILLUSTRATION…
THIS OLD (HOPEFULLY NOT FAT LADY LOVE TO STAND BEHING THAT SACRED DESK TO SING.. THAT WAY NO ONE WILL BE THINKING HER HEM ISN’T STRAIGHT… SHE HAS GAINED WEIGHT, I DON’T LIKE THAT COLOR. AND AS ON LADY SAID TO ME…”YOUR NECKLACE WAS TURNED AROUND THE WHOLE TIME YOU SANG…
I TRULY LOVE TO SING FOR MY LORD, BUT I PRAY THAT SOMEONE IS TRULY MINISTERED TO THROUGH THAT MINISTRY. I DON’T WANT TO BE SEEN…
AS FOR THE THAT DESK IS A GREAT PLACE FOR THE PASTOR TO BE ABLE TO BE COMFORTABLE WHEN DOING THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD.
WE WOULD SEE JESUS…
GO FOR IT KYLE I LOVE OAK MYSELF.. HARD TO MOVE.,.
I ALSO PROUDLY WEAR A SCAR ON MY LEFT HAND THAT I GOT WHEN I ENTER A CHURCH BUILDING DURING PREP FOR A CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AND I HAD FORGOTTEN THAT THE PULPIT WAS MOVED TO THE SIDE ISLE AND WALKED INTO IT ON THE WAY TO THE LIGHT SWITCH…
OH THE STORIES THAT WE PASTOR’S FAMILIES COULD TELL.
LOL
GRANDMA
October 6th, 2008 at 10:56 am
OOOPS SORRY FOR THE TYPOS..DAH
OLD EYES AND FINGERS
October 6th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I want one of those Johnnie Mac pulpits that goes down with a button and would survive a nuclear blast…. What a privilege to stand behind the sacred desk.. Looks like this post is getting a lot of attention.
October 6th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
DEAR KYLE,
THE EXISTENCE AND PLACEMENT OF THE CHANCEL FURNITURE IN THE CHURCH SANCTUARY IS OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. LITURGICAL CHURCHES HISTORICALLY HAVE BOTH A LECTERN AND A PULPIT PLACED ON OPPOSITE SIDES, THE FORMER BEING FOR SCRIPTURE READING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS, ETC., AND THE LATER SAVED FOR THE PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD.
FUNDAMENTAL CHURCHES ON THE OTHER HAND, FEATURE THE PULPIT SQUARELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CHANCEL, EMBLEMATIC OF THE CENTRAL IMPORTANCE OF THE SCRIPTURES AND THE PREACHING.
HENCE, WE AUGHT TO BE GREATLY DISTURBED ABOUT THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BOTH.
LITTLE WONDER THAT THE DISAPPEARANCE OF OUR PULPITS SEEMS COMMENSURATE WITH THE ANEMIC FAITH OF OUR MODERN CHURCHES.
AL HAIL TO YOUR GREAT DESIRE TO PREACH THE OLD FASHIONED WAY…
LOVE,
GRANDPA
October 29th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I saw we get together and make replicas of the pulpit at Grace Church only we’ll measure them 1/2″ taller and wider and longer in every direction, b/c that’s how we do.
What’s the heaviest wood possible?