Churches and Church Decoration

Click on any area to proceed! Greek Orthodox Anglican/ Roman Catholic Don’t forget to find out what the following are: *Font *Stoop *Lectern

Iconography In Greek Orthodox Churches, Iconography was, and still is, seen as very important because it helps the believer reflect upon God and visualise God in a real and relevant way. Other denominations frown upon Iconography as they believe that it can be understood as ‘worshipping false idols’ (Exodus 20). Greek Orthodox also feel that the use of Icons in worship help them to appreciate God as being personal and knowable Some Churches also place a lot of emphasis and importance upon what is known as ‘The Community of Saints’. These are Christians who have died and are awaiting God’s resurrection on Judgement Day (Armageddon) - some of these Christians represented in paintings or statues, and these are used to remind believers what rewards await them as payment for worshipping God. Click here to return to main picture screen

The Cross The Cross is a key feature of any church, as it reminds followers/believers of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made by dying and coming to new life for them in order that their sins be forgiven. The cross without the body of Christ focuses on the resurrected Christ, as opposed to the sacrificial Christ (which would be called a crucifix, not a cross and generally remembers the sacrificial/Paschal Christ). Click here to return to main picture screen

Lanterns and Candles Some Christian churches take inspiration from the Ner Tamid in Judaism, otherwise known as the ‘ever-burning lamp’. This lamp reflects the idea that God is always there and never leaves the place of worship. Light is also important because it represents Jesus Christ who said ‘I am the Light of the World’. This means that He leads people out of darkness and sin, through the light and righteous living. Some Christians also believe that burning expensive wax is also making a sacrifice to God that He ‘will delight in’. Click here to return to main picture screen

Tithing In Malachi chapter three (the last book of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible), Christians and Jews are encouraged to give 10% of their earnings to the worship community (the Church) in order that the community aid people in other countries and help others come to faith in Jesus Christ. Tithing is considered by many Christians to be an integral part of worship and it is very important that Christians Tithe in worship and do not show off about how much they can give to the church. Click here to return to main picture screen

Click here to return to main picture screen Inspirational Art Not only are various pictures of people found in Churches in order to inspire for worship, people are also portrayed on the walls, frescos and stained-glass- windows in order to remind worshippers of the sacrifice that others made for their faith and as examples of good Holy living. It is people like St. Stephen, who is thought to have been hung upside down by the Romans, who gives believers perspective and guidance as to what has been given for the Christian faith in the past.

Church Architecture A lot of churches are designed in the shape of a cross with the Altar area (the ‘top’ end of the church) facing towards the east. This is so that the main central stained glass window (often depicting a Bible story or the story of Christ’s life) is illuminated by the early Sunday morning sun to welcome worshippers (that is, when it is sunny obviously). Many Christians believe that the Church is the centre of the community and that is why it is so big. It is often undecorated because some people believe that otherwise it would take the focus away from God. Other denominations say that it has to be decorated beautifully in order to reflect the beauty of God. Finally, many church’s have tall spires that point upwards – this is in line with the stereotypical viewpoint that heaven is upwards in the sky (and the worship that takes place inside the church is for God and the aspire therefore directs it there). Click on the church to the left of this writing – it will take you to the RE:quest Home Page with various Virtual Tours available. Please bear in mind that it will open your main web- browser. If you have no Net access this won’t work. Click here to return to main picture screen

Stained-Glass Windows In most non-conformist churches you will not find any stained-glass windows as they believe that this is unnecessary and a distraction. However, you would find stained-glass windows in most Protestant and Catholic Churches. The point of Stained-Glass Windows is in order to provide a narrative (in various forms) for the believer. If the Stained-Glass Window depicts a story about Christ it may remind them of his life and example; if the window reminds them of the suffering of the apostles it might provide the believer with inspiration and confidence. They also often depict fresco-scenes from the time of the passion of Christ to His ascension to heaven (post-resurrection) Click here to return to main picture screen

The Pulpit Many non-conformist churches have pulpits and no altar, because of their firm belief that the Word of God is what should guide the believer and occupy their heart’s and mind’s, not the memory or recollection of the death of Christ. Pulpit are conservatively ornate and are where the minister or lay-person would stand at the time of the service when the Bible is being explained to the congregation. In Medieval times you would have found a circular piece of wood to aid projection of the preacher, but these have mostly been eradicated nowadays as they are unnecessary with the advent of electronic amplification systems. If the altar is at the centre of the church, that generally guides their theology. If the pulpit is at the centre, that takes priority instead. Click here to return to main picture screen

The Altar In the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, the way that the Jewish people sought atonement (forgiveness) was offering burnt and animal sacrifices to YHWH, this being performed on an altar in the synagogue/temple. Some Christians feel that it is helpful to have an altar at the centre of their Church in order to focus on the redemptive power of the death and blood of Jesus Christ. It reminds them of the ultimate and final sacrifice He made for them, and thus it became an appropriate place for a minister to give out the Holy Communion. The Holy Communion is the most powerful symbol with regards to reminding Christians of Christ’s sacrifice. Click here to return to main picture screen