in our midst
While on holidays in Brisbane recently, I heard about the wrestle of one UCA congregation with the shape of their worship gatherings.
This is a congregation who want their gatherings to proclaim their belief that they come together as a community, and with Christ in their midst. And so a proposal is before them to re-shape their gathering space to enable worship ‘in the round’ on a permanent basis.
The table, and the lectern will be central. Chairs will be in a circle. The community will be gathered together around the central point of focus.
No longer sitting in rows as in a theatre or a movie cinema to consume what is delivered from the front…
No longer separate from the holy sanctuary on stage…
Together the congregation are attempting to discern if this a change God is calling them to.
On the one hand, changing the layout of the seating might not seem that significant….but for many who are accustomed to the normal Sunday morning shape….it’s a huge challenge.
Even for those who conceptually agree….the reality of changing a lifelong habit will be difficult.
We attempted something similar recently at our Future Church gathering. In a space not really suited, and with 10 minutes to setup, I’m not sure we quite achieved the desired effect – but the thought was there.
I return home wondering…what does the very shape of our worship gatherings proclaim about us? As we sit in rows (often in fixed pews), separate from the table that represents one of the central practices of the gathered christian community?
What would it mean to your congregation to re-shape the very fabric of your gathering space?
Kudos to Centenary UC for the courage to consider. I hope and pray they find a way to make the change, and I very much look forward to participating in worship in the round when next I’m in Brisbane.
Read the initial presentation at Centenary UCA here and some followup reflections on their discernment process here.
