"Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."
- Jesus, Mark 12:38-40
Joel, though I hardly know you, I know I love you.
ReplyDeleteI remember taking a new Christian to a UPCI event for the first time. The first thing she asked was, "what are all those men doing sitting up on the stage staring at everyone?" We didn't have chairs on our stage at our local assembly - (I think that's a trend we could all hop on board with, by the way). I died laughing though - I'd grown up seeing ministers on the platform and hadn't really thought about it - but look at it through the lens of someone who isn't accustomed to it and you'll realize how odd it actually is.
ReplyDeleteWhy have a stage? Lets just meet in circles and dicuss our watch tower magazines :)
ReplyDelete@John Paul:
ReplyDeleteWhat are you implying? I get the impression you are a troll on this blog.
Thanks Anonymous :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where the custom of ministers on the stage came from, but I always thought it was related to Peter standing up with the other 11 apostles backing him up. Sort of a statement of “yea we back this guy and his message”.
ReplyDeleteAhh. The obligatory middle chair that must be a few inches higher then the ones next to it. For the pastor, of course. Because he's more important?
ReplyDeleteI think some of it is simple logistics. If Bro Art is going to lead songs, Bro Bob is going to take up the offering and make announcements, Bro. Chad is going to lead prayer and Bro. Dave is preaching then it helps to have Bro. A, B, C and D near the pulpit. I know some churches to reserve the first pew for this.
ReplyDeleteIF the president of the United States shows up we have a special place for him to sit, If the man of God is to speak why not give him the same respect as the president, isn't the man of God suppose to lead and direct his flock.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with john, it only makes since (a,b,c and d to be near the pulpit.