Stained glass windows

Les and I were able to get away last week thanks to our generous family and, of course, Nana – who babysat loved and nurtured our kids for two days.  After checking into our hotel, Les and I walked through the city with no purpose or destination other than just relaxing and being with each other.  As we passed one of Boston’s oldest and most historic churches we saw a sign welcoming visitors to come inside…so in we went.

If the foyer was majestic, then I’m not sure what to call the sanctuary.  It was breathtaking.  The high ceilings, ornate woodwork, chandeliers, red carpet, and stained glass windows were stunning.  We must have picked just the right time because the organist was playing and put on quite a show.  We picked a seat in one of the oak pews and just listened.  Isaiah wrote of his vision of heaven where “the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cries out.”  Well let me tell you, the whole church shook as the organist pushed the pipes to their limits.  Unbelievable.

As the organ played, I read through some of the literature telling about the church.  It was pretty obvious that the church building was meaningful to its congregation.  Flipping through several brochures I soon realized that there was little or no mention of what the church actually believed.  What it stood for.  What its mission was.  But there was a lot of information on the stained glass windows.  And they were gorgeous.  But I had no idea what this church was all about.

Then I found it.  A four-sided brochure entitled “Who We Are and How We Believe” which gave more info about the church’s history and culture.  But not one word of Scripture.  Not even a Scripture reference.  No mention of grace and mercy, sin and suffering, the cross and the Savior, or Heaven and Hell.  But how about those windows.

After listening to a recent sermon on the church’s website, it was crystal clear that Scripture is not that church’s authority or foundation.  But feelings, emotions, and an open and affirming culture are.  Sadly, the minister did not mention one verse of Scripture in her sermon story.

As I think of our church and even our individual homes, I wonder how visitors see us.  Do we overwhelm them with our building?  Or do we instead send a clear, unwavering, unapologetic message of the Gospel of Christ?  Do we seek to impress them with our architecture?  Or do we seek to radically challenge them to die to self and live for Jesus?  Do we hope to hear them “ooh and ah” as they gaze at our windows or do we lead them into worship in such a way that cannot stop gazing at the Savior?

The truth is…our building is plain and kind of boring.   The walls are white.  The windows are regular glass.  The steeple is plastic.  And that is all ok.

But what we believe is alive and powerful and life-changing.  And when folks walk through our doors they must hear God’s way and not our feelings.  Paul told Titus to “speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).  Titus was instructed to remind people of how lost and deceived and foolish and trapped in sin they were before they met Jesus.  But, “when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit…” (Titus 3:4-5)

This is the message people must hear when they come to this church.  And this is the message we better give them.