This will be the space where we talk about the pews.
For anyone who's not familiar here's the backstory (as I've pieced it together from Chad and others - I wasn't there!):
Two or three years ago a months-long conversation ended with LCUMC moving the pews to an in-the-round configuration: a move to symbolize a more communal approach to worship - pastor Chad would stand in the middle, much closer to people and it often sparked a conversation and a closeness as we met in the round. Fast forward to this August, the Fringe Festival/Off the Streets is here and we moved the pews back to a traditional format for ease of viewing the plays and films.
So here are the things we need to talk about:
For many folks in the community, there is a longing to move back to the more communal setting; however the traditional format does make concerts/films/plays much easier to do.
Is there a solution that offers the best of both formats? Is it a majority that wants to go back to the in-the-round format? Should we get rid of the pews all together or keep them?
I will add a comment to this post letting you know my own thoughts, but first I'd like to hear from you - what do you think?
4 comments:
personally, I feel the pews are problematic. i definitely feel that it would be important to do a history of pews and why many church leaders have come out against them.
i have been able to visit some of the most exciting emergent/ missional churches in the country, and nobody has pews.
at any level, we probably have too many pews in the sanctuary. our sanctuary has an opportunity to be a great worship space and a great cultural space. it might make the most sense to have the pew discussion as we dream about the future of the sanctuary too.
it might be best to talk about the pews in terms of the broader mission and vision for the sanctuary.
I liked the around the table & font setting; loved it when Chad first showed it to me. The symbolism was great - entering through the water and table of the Lord. However, I also suggested doing away with some of the pews. I think at that time the concept was still new/experimental, so there may have been other forces that caused reluctance to move the pews out (and especially to get rid of them). We may be past that barrier now. I agree with Mike about "the most exciting emergent/ missional churches." Flexibility is the main permanent fixture in their meeting places. I'm not sure that we can afford the cost of replacing the pews completely with chairs, but we could move in that direction. If we want to leave a setting for concerts and other mass venues, leave the back 4 or 5 rows of pews in place, then configure our chairs in whatever formation we need each Sunday and for other events.
What about the cost of chairs?
the conversation aspect of the service on sunday felt out of place and awkward; talking to peoples' backs.
If we meet at the church early enough tomorrow, I could help move pews. Anyone for 7am?
LET'S DO IT!!!!! ") seriously, let's try tomorrow morning, we'd be done by lunch (or by when I need to leave or a baby shower!)...
i have to agree that i'd like to see the pews gone, or at least integrated in a way that makes sense for the conversational style. i know we can't afford it, but it would be good to have a living room set up with carpets/couches etc.
either way, i think the idea of having mikes set up that anyone can go to is a fantastic one.
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