7591<\/b> Church Buildings and Usages<\/b><\/p>\n
Churches in the United States have about $80 billion invested in real estate, mostly in church and Sunday school buildings. This represents about 80% of total resources of religious bodies in this country. <\/p>\n
It has been estimated that America\u2019s nearly 400,000 churches show a facility utilization rate of only 1%. This means the average church makes full use of its property and equipment about one hour for every 168 hours in the week. No architectural structure is used so sparingly in the world. <\/p>\n
7592<\/b> Decor: Discomfort<\/b><\/p>\n
Such is Time\u2019s<\/i> headline regarding Architect Wenzler of Milwaukee and his concept of church architecture. His new idea is meant to combat \u201ccomplacency, smugness, comfort, escape from reality.\u201d His plans are \u201cno soft lights, lush carpeting, cushioned pews, or padded kneelers.\u201d Says Spartan Wenzler: \u201cThe Church of today must be prodded, worried, concerned, disturbed.\u201d After his exhortation came the congregation\u2019s unanimous response: \u201cDelighted.\u201d<\/p>\n
7593<\/b> To Face The East<\/b><\/p>\n
In early centuries, churches were built with the pulpit on the east end. The sun rises in the east, and believers were supposed to look to the east for Christ\u2019s return (Matt. 21:27). <\/p>\n
During the Reformation, the pulpit was moved from the side of the nave, and people were positioned around it as focus point (amphitheatre style). There was a separate room for the Lord\u2019s Supper with long table for the people to sit. <\/p>\n
In the third century, basilicas had east ends raised a little, with a \u201cbishop\u2019s chair\u201d at its center, from where he preached and was surrounded by presbyters. In front of him was the Lord\u2019s Table, around which deacons grouped. <\/p>\n
Today, many church building incorporate the above features: amphitheatre-styled seating around the pulpit, with raised platform. <\/p>\n
7594<\/b> Lincoln As Church Builder<\/b><\/p>\n
Due to the presidential campaign of 1860, the world knows that Abraham Lincoln put in time as a rail-splitter. Few people realize, however that in his youth Abe also helped his father construct a church building and was its janitor during his teens. This fully documented fact squeezed itself into history in a most curious way. <\/p>\n
\u2014Charles Ludwig<\/p>\n
7595<\/b> Building Amidst Hard Times<\/b><\/p>\n
During Cromwell\u2019s seventeenth-century England most public worship became a crime and thousands of churches were torn down. One man built a church, even then, that still stands. The reason for its endurance can be interpreted from the inscription found over the door:<\/p>\n
In the year 1653<\/p>\n
When all things sacred throughout ye nation were<\/p>\n
Either demolight or profane<\/p>\n
Sir Robert Shirley, Baronet<\/p>\n
Founded this church<\/p>\n
Whose singular praise it is<\/p>\n
To have done the best things<\/p>\n
In ye worst times <\/p>\n
and<\/p>\n
Hoped them in the most callamitous. <\/p>\n
7596<\/b> Pastor\u2019s Insurance Builds Church<\/b><\/p>\n
The death of a noted Oklahoma City minister will bring his congregation $400,000 closer to an ultra-modern youth center he had envisioned for his \u201cChurch of Tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
He had been insured by his congregation, the First Christian Church of Oklahoma City, for $400,000, with the proceeds dedicated to help erect a million-dollar youth center. Construction on the building had already been slated to begin. <\/p>\n
The Rev. William H. Alexander, 45, was killed in the crash of a light plane near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, this month. Alexander\u2019s wife and the pilot of the plane also died. <\/p>\n
\u2014Christianity Today<\/i><\/p>\n
7597<\/b> Made of Insulator Parts<\/b><\/p>\n
In Pincher Greek, Alberta, Bastian Zoeteman, a retired businessman, worked for over eight months constructing a remarkable church from more than 7,000 glass telephone line insulator parts. The 8-by-8-by-14-foot \u201cinsulator church\u201d is now on view for the public. Using cement moulds of his own design, he built clear insulators into wall panels and green-coloured insulators into windows and doors. The interior contains six small pews, a pulpit, and carpeting. A bell tower has been added to finish the exterior design. <\/p>\n
7598<\/b> Everything Built By Himself<\/b><\/p>\n
A spry sixty-eight-year-old man has set out to build a church by himself. He is spending his own money to build a cement-block-and-stone church complete with parking lot and auditorium on a five-acre plot near Greelawn, New York. William H. Henderson, who formerly owned a construction business, estimates that the church will cost him $90,000 when finished. He plans to leave it for people to use. He calls himself a minister, but one who prefers to do all the work \u201cwith my own two hands.\u201d He boasts of not having \u201ca lick of help\u201d since beginning the project in 1963. \u201cI don\u2019t want anyone coming to help me,\u201d he says. \u201cToo many people gets things disorganized. I do better working by myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
7599<\/b> Poor Widow Also Helped<\/b><\/p>\n
A king desired to build a cathedral, forbidding anyone from contributing anything, in order that the credit might be all his. A sign was placed on the site with the king\u2019s name as builder. <\/p>\n
But that night, he saw in a dream an angel who came to erase his name, replacing his name with the name of a poor widow. This was repeated three times. <\/p>\n
Awaking from the dream, the king summoned the woman and demanded what she has been doing. The trembling woman replied, \u201cI love the Lord and longed to do something for His name and for the building of His church. Since I was forbidden to touch it in any way, I brought a wisp of hay for the horses that drew the stones.\u201d He commanded that her name be inscribed in the cathedral. <\/p>\n
7600<\/b> Little Girl Also Helped<\/b><\/p>\n
When Milan Cathedral was finished, in the vast throngs of people assembled to witness the dedication was a little girl who was heard to cry out in childish glee, as she pointed to the great building, \u201cI helped to build that!\u201d \u201cWhat!\u201d exclaimed one of the guards who was standing in brilliant uniform. \u201cShow me what you did.\u201d \u201cI carried the dinner pail for my father while he worked up yonder,\u201d she replied. <\/p>\n
Her part, though humble, helped to complete the plans of the architect. In relating this story, Bishop Leonard makes this comment: \u201cOur part in life may seem small, but it should bulk large in our thought when we remember that it is helping to complete the plan of the Divine Architect.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014Christian Herald<\/i><\/p>\n
7601<\/b> His Eye For Sale<\/b><\/p>\n
He had two good eyes. Never had either of them given him any trouble. But he could see with one. He had tried it, and although his vision was limited to some extent, he could still get around. <\/p>\n
Why not offer one of his good eyes to the hospital in the South? They would pay him good money, and he could\u2014well, what could he do with the money? <\/p>\n
Buy himself a car? Get a new house? Make sure that he lived well for months to come? <\/p>\n
No, he wanted to give the money to repair the church building in which he and a handful of his fellow Christians met from Sunday to Sunday. It was badly in need of some repairs. When it rained, the people inside were soaked. When it was cold, they were exposed to the bitter wind. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s it! He would sell one of his eyes and give the money to the Lord. That would mean, of course, that he would be permanently disabled and disfigured; but he loved his Lord, and he wanted to do something for Him and for His people. <\/p>\n
Arriving at the hospital, he offered his eye for sale; but the hospital authorities would not hear of such a thing. They immediately discouraged him and sent him back home, telling him that the members of his church should save in order to repair their church buildings. He should not have to sell his eye for that. <\/p>\n
After this demonstration of love and sacrifice the members of his church did rally around, and although they were poor, desperately poor, repairs were duly made to the building. Repairs were made, but it took one man to provide the incentive\u2014one man with an eye for sale. <\/p>\n
\u2014The Prairie Overcomer<\/i><\/p>\n
7602<\/b> Church Bell And The Corn<\/b><\/p>\n
There is a little town in the far north of Germany by the name of Grosslaswitz. In the tower of the village church is a bell with an engraving of a six-eared stock of corn, and the date, October 15, 1729. <\/p>\n
Why the stock of corn? The church had an old bell which could not be heard throughout the village and, as you know, in those days people depended upon the bell to tell them the time of services. They decided to buy a new bell, which they found beyond their means, since the parishioners were rather poor. Each gave what he could, but it still was not enough. <\/p>\n
The schoolmaster of the district on his way to church noticed a strong stock of corn growing out of the churchyard wall. He had an idea. Closely he watched the stalk until it grew six well-formed ears of corn. These he put away and sowed the next spring. Each year following he did the same thing, finally dividing the ears among his friends, until after eight years they raised a crop big enough to earn money to buy the bell. <\/p>\n
From such a simple beginning and with wholehearted cooperation they secured the bell, whose story is told by the six-eared stalk of corn engraved upon it. <\/p>\n
7603<\/b> \u201cHumility Gate\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n
There is a church in Palestine the doorway of which is so low that one must stoop to enter it. This was to prevent medieval raiders from riding their horses into the church and disrupting the worship. The door is called \u201cHumility Gate.\u201d<\/p>\n
7604<\/b> Two Bricks Per Sin<\/b><\/p>\n
One of the distinctive sights for residents of and visitors to Bogota, Columbia, is the Church of the Penitents. <\/p>\n
It stands at an elevation of 10,400 feet above sea level. It was built over 300 years ago by penitents who carried up two bricks for each sin committed. <\/p>\n
A spectator beholding the building and recalling that each two bricks represents one sin could exclaim: \u201cA church of sins!\u201d or \u201cA church which sins built!\u201d<\/p>\n
Although none of the original contributors of bricks is alive today, the bricks nevertheless perpetuate the memory of their sins. <\/p>\n
\u2014Christian Victory<\/i><\/p>\n
7605<\/b> Gothic Church Moved<\/b><\/p>\n
Prague, Czechoslovakia (AP)\u2014What do you do when you find 88 million tons of coal under a 12,000-ton Gothic church? The Czechs decided to put the church on wheels and cart it to a new site. The church has now began its month-long journey of 1.2 to 3.2 centimeters per minute, almost one kilometer down the hill. <\/p>\n
The church, built by King Vaclay I in the 13th century, has 20 outer and 16 inner graceful pillars reaching upward in an intricate web of masonry. It is considered one of the three architectural treasures of Bohemian religious art. <\/p>\n
7606<\/b> When Church Is Miraculously Moved<\/b><\/p>\n
The faith that moves mountains is borne out by the church that was moved by the Hand of God. <\/p>\n
Such a church stands to this day in the village of Swan Quarter, North Carolina. Before it was built in 1874 the congregation eyed with longing a desirable plot of ground but was unable to purchase it for reasons deemed adequate by the owner of the land. The disappointed assemblage thereupon erected the structure on an alternative site\u2014but could not forbear to cast longing glances at the original location. <\/p>\n
Two years after the building was completed, on September 17, 1876, a storm of great violence struck the countryside. Pelting rain, a raging wind and roaring tide combined into a miraculous motive power. The edifice was lifted up by the elements as if it had been a scrap of paper. It was airborne a distance of 300 feet, and although its path was not straight, it found its mark with unerring accuracy. <\/p>\n
The House of God came to rest upon the exact plot of ground which the worshippers had so ardently desired. The divine transfer awed and thrilled the village and even stilled the objections of the owners. The sacred edifice still stands on the plot ratified by the Hand of God. Its name has been changed from Methodist Protestant to the Church of Providence\u2014and the site has long been acknowledged as Holy Ground. <\/p>\n
MISCELLANEOUS<\/p>\n
7607<\/b> No \u201cSouls\u201d In Cathedral? <\/b><\/p>\n
An elderly lady was being conducted through a great cathedral in Europe. The guide spoke of its beauty of design, calling special attention to its statues and wonderful paintings. The old lady was unimpressed. At the conclusion of the tour, she asked the guide, \u201cHow many souls have been saved here this year?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dear lady,\u201d said the embarrassed guide, \u201cthis is a cathedral, not a chapel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014Walter B. Knight<\/p>\n
7608<\/b> Playing It Safe<\/b><\/p>\n
A certain congregation was about to erect a new church edifice. The building committee, in consecutive meetings passed the following resolutions: (1) We shall build a new church. (2) The new building is to be located on the site of the old one. (3) The material in the old building is to be used in the new one. (4) We shall continue to use the old building until the new one is completed. <\/p>\n
7609<\/b> \u201cJudas Iscariot!\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n
A minister riding a streetcar in N.Y. and passing a very nice church, sat next to a rider who said, \u201cIf these Christians would stop building fine churches and give their money to the poor, it would be much more to their credit.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve heard of similar remark before,\u201d was the minister\u2019s quiet reply. \u201cBy whom?\u201d \u201cJudas Iscariot.\u201d<\/p>\n
7610<\/b> Riverside Church\u2019s Building<\/b><\/p>\n
During my student days, Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick preached a sermon in the famous, multi-million dollar, Riverside Church which had just been built under his pastorate. Lest his members have too much pride in their new cathedral he preached a sermon on the subject, \u201cThe Wrong Way to Build a Church.\u201d He took as his text the story of the builders of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1\u20139). Said those ancient builders, \u201cCome let us build ourselves a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves.\u201d Commented Dr. Fosdick, that a building program begun in pride was sure to end in disaster, and so it did. <\/p>\n
\u2014Eugene A. Hessel<\/p>\n
7611<\/b> Scaling The Spire! <\/b><\/p>\n
Rev. James Bogie, chaplain of York University, England, has found the ideal training ground for an Alpine expedition which he plans to lead this year. Every morning before communion, he scales the spire of the university chapel to get the feel of things. \u201cIt\u2019s perfect,\u201d he claims. \u201cWhen the wind is up, the conditions can get similar to those I\u2019ll encounter in the Alps.\u201d<\/p>\n
7612<\/b> Ideal Church Layout<\/b><\/p>\n
There is a legend concerning a layman who promised to build a badly needed new auditorium for the church if permitted to keep the construction plans secret until the first day it was used. The big crowd came early and was seated near the door, one row at a time. When they were seated, the pews rolled automatically down to the front. The process continued until all were seated. The preacher was so carried away by the occasion, he was just getting wound up well at twelve o\u2019clock. Sharply at two minutes past twelve, a trap door opened, and the preacher dropped into the basement. <\/p>\n
\u2014Maxwell Droke <\/p>\n
7613<\/b> Parsonage Not Sacred? <\/b><\/p>\n
The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that a parsonage is not a sacred building. It reversed a Circuit Court judge in Sarasota, who denied a liquor license to a place of business within 500 feet of a parsonage. The Supreme Court said that a parsonage, except for the \u201cgoodness\u201d of its occupant, doesn\u2019t differ from any other residence, because it is used for secular, not religious purposes. <\/p>\n
\u2014Christianity Today<\/i><\/p>\n
7614<\/b> Tax-Exempt Custodians\u2019 Buildings<\/b><\/p>\n
Apartments owned by churches and inhabited by their custodians are exempted from real-property taxes, the County Board of Equalization has ruled in Seattle. It was argued that it would be unsafe to leave the church building unattended at night and that since the purposes of the church require a church building \u2026 it follows that the custodian\u2019s apartment is used for church purposes. <\/p>\n
\u2014Pastor\u2019s Manual<\/i><\/p>\n
7615<\/b> Washington Cathedral<\/b><\/p>\n
The \u201cWashington Cathedral\u201d is more officially the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul. Construction began in 1907 and is not expected to be completed until the year 2,000 when it will be the world\u2019s fifth largest church building and bear a cost of many millions of dollars. It includes a bell tower over 300 feet tall that alone cost over two million dollars. This church is already famous with 100,000 visitors coming each year just to view its stained-glass windows and collections of religious art. <\/p>\n
7616<\/b> Washington Cathedral\u2019s Carvings<\/b><\/p>\n
Since 1907 contractors, carpenters, and artists have been working on Washington Cathedral. No end is yet in sight. Some believe it will not be finished before 1990. <\/p>\n
According to the Washington Post<\/i>, \u201cstone carvers in the thousand-year history of cathedral buildings have been having their fun by clowning around with original works of their own on the solemn edifices they are decorating\u2014particularly when it comes to carving gargoyles up high and out of sight.\u201d These gargoyles, we are told, \u201crelieve the austere of the hundreds of angels and saints that are chiselled all over the structures.\u201d<\/p>\n
It has been made public that some of the gargoyles and grotesques carved on the Washington Cathedral\u2019s rainspouts resemble such people as General de Gaulle, Eleanor Roosevelt and Albert Schweitzer. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhether names were attached before or after completion is the stonecarver\u2019s secret.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014Prairie Overcomer<\/i><\/p>\n
7617<\/b> Gothic Preference<\/b><\/p>\n
Over in the Registrar\u2019s office they were busy compiling statistics about student religious preferences. They found the usual number of Methodist, Lutherans, Catholics, etc., listed under \u201cChurch Preference.\u201d But a neatly- lettered card filled in by an architecture major really stopped them. His Church Preference was \u201cGothic.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014Pelican<\/i><\/p>\n
7618<\/b> Epigram On Worship (House of)<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2022 Seen on a church bulletin board: \u201cYou aren\u2019t too bad to come in. You aren\u2019t too good to stay out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014Indianapolis Star<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
7591 Church Buildings and Usages Churches in the United States have about $80 billion invested in real estate, mostly in church and Sunday school buildings. This represents about 80% of total resources of religious bodies in this country. It has been estimated that America\u2019s nearly 400,000 churches show a facility utilization rate of only 1%. … Continue reading “WORSHIP, HOUSE OF”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5407\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}