Comment: Altar?

Do we need an altar?

The question is a lot deeper than you might imagine at first glance. But if we were to see this as simply a logistical question like where we place other furniture we don't understand it.

Altars are places that sacrifices are offered to God. In the Old Testament we find people atoning (settling the debt) for their sin. Animal sacrifices were the norm in the Jewish rituals prior to the exile of God's people into slavery. In fact, this is why Jesus was described metaphorically like a lamb led to slaughter. He became the sacrifice once and for all for man's sin. He reconciled the debt that we owed. In the New Testament the altar is referred to far less. In fact the majority of NT references is in the Revelation as a place of worship in God's presence.

Churches in our stream of Christianity are accustomed to having a place specifically in response to the message to have a place to pray. To come and do what Romans 12 says, "to offer our bodies as living sacrifices." I feel it would be a benefit to have an altar. I think that people are pressed to make decisions over whether they'll really apply the message, and it gives them a place to meet with God because without His help they really can't. I don't think it is sacramental. I don't think it is necessarily holy, but I think it's a great way to help people take a time out with God.

I guess the place I really see a need show up currently at SRC is after the Communion. People receive it and then they kind of find a place to stand to have a sacred moment with God. I'd love to see a sacred place in our secular space. But this brings us to perhaps our greatest challenge in this issue. Where would we put it? What would it look like? I'm all ears because I'd love to have it.

--Ben