I tried removing the pulpit and had a lot of complaints from older members. It looked weird was all they said. I said I will put it back if you can give me a good reason. An older lady said it helped her worship better. I didn't see that as valid. Another said, it's always been there. Sorry, not good enough. Then someone said, it represents authority. What you say behind that pulpit is taken as more authoritative because of its history as being called the "sacred desk." I put it back. True or not that is the perception of older hearers.

Perhaps it doesn't matter whether you use a pulpit or not as long as you're preaching, but I was a speech coach before I became a pastor, and I taught my students not to hide behind a lecturn. I think we need to come out from behind the pulpit and engage the congregation. My reluctance to follow my own advice to this point has been my reliance upon notes, which goes back to one of your other "yea or nay" blogs. A homiletics professor of mine once said we should stay at the pulpit because it was a symbol of authority, but if we're preaching the Word, then I don't think we need any other outward symbols of authority. I'd love to move the pulpit into a storage closet, but alas, in our church it was given as a memorial!

Thanks for getting the ball rolling, Kevin and Steve.

Steve, I do think that on a simple, practical level this does tie in with the issue of notes. You also raise another critical issue that I KNOW has to be considered in a lot of smaller churches: some pulpits have been donated or dedicated. Messing with that can get awfully hairy.

Kevin, the authority issue is huge in this. I look forward to hearing the thoughts of others on that matter. Anyone want to deconstruct that (in a healthy manner) or argue for that? And as you noted - whether or not the pulpit serves as another way to display authority, the perception of many is that it does.

Keep 'em coming folks. Yea or nay and why?

Nay.

Nay, nay, nay.

It's a piece of wood. And usually, a big ugly piece of wood.

Closest thing to an idol in most traditional churches :)

Besides, we meet in a pub. Carrying that thing in every week would be a HUGE hassle!

Bob! It's good to hear from you, friend. You've opened up a can of worms with your comment - and I thank you for that. Here's another issue to add into the mix: the idolatrous qualities we sometimes attach to objects and architecture without even knowing it (or worse yet, knowing it full well). Anyone want to take this thought on or lift it up in agreement?

A modified nay. I prefer not to use a pulpit whenever possible because it hides the preacher, it hinders full communication and it limits movement. However, here is how I modify my nay. If the pulpit is not used, then what it stands for should be clear and visible. Or to put it another way - the preacher should let his Bible show. By body language the preacher can communicate the central importance of the Word of God in the corporate worship of God. In fact, I think it is easier to do this without a pulpit. Listeners may never know you are actually using a Bible when it is hidden by the wooden furniture, but they know when they see it in your hands.

Some great thoughts, Peter. Thanks for sharing them with us. I chuckled a bit when I reflected on a few pulpits I've been behind. There are some real chariots out there! There is one particular marble pulpit in Indiana that swallowed up me, my Bible, and the sermon.

I have heard that when you walk into a church, there's always something that jumps out and catches your eye. The cross? The altar/communion table? The organ? More recently, the band setup? That colonial church with the amazingly elaborate pulpit was saying something very deliberate about the centrality of Scripture to their worship.

I say nay! We actually discussed this issue this morning in a deacons meeting. We have moved the pulpit and all of the chairs from the "stage" (another point of contention when used to refer to the platform or pulpit area) as well. I pointed out to the one who had an issue that it was a piece of wood. He responded with a weak list of objections and settled on the authority question.
I believe, as I pointed out to him that if our authority comes from a piece of furniture rather than from the Word of God, we are in serious trouble. If a pulpit is needed to give authority, why do all of our Sunday school classes not utilize them?
One other note. If it a piece of furniture missing is a distraction, is it possible that we have not entered into worship in "spirit and in truth"?
Just my two cents!

Overall, this should be the least of our concerns! It's frustrating to know that some of the flock fret about the absence of a pulpit! As long as Christ is being preached...it should not matter at all!

I do think that pulpits big or small are very useful in churches. I see it as a courtesy for the speaker. He needs something to place his bible or notes in order to preach handsfree. He can always hold the bible but sometimes they need to be handsfree and if he doesn't have a pulpit where is he going to put the bible, on the floor? Is he going to be picking up the bible from the floor all the time? I think is a matter of courtesy for the vessel that God is using. Why do you buy a dinning table and plates for your home? Why don't you just place the food on your hands and eat without any furniture. If we have the best and necessary things in our house, why not have more than the best for the house of God. The place where God speaks and where Christ is preached. This is just something for you to think about. Bye Guys!