I am not certain how long I had been leading the particular congregation. Nevertheless, I do remember their reaction. One Sunday morning during my message, I slammed my Bible down on the floor as an emphatic display that the Bible I was reading from was simply a book - not an idol. It was a written "documentary" of the people of God, the life of Christ and the early days of the Christian church. It was not a sacred piece of ancient scroll or something God-breathed. It was a translation of scripture just like a dozen others held in the laps of people in the pew.
Well you could have heard a pin drop. With over a hundred pair of eyes staring back at me with malice intent, I thought those folks would lynch me right on the spot.
Fortunately for me, unfortunate for others, they did not hang me. They simply caught their collective breath, settled back and listened to my point.
That church was a Southern Baptist church, similar to the one we attend today. Then, like now, there really are no symbols of the faith, no expressions of liturgy that heighten our senses to the presence of God and our desire to worship Him. Yes, we have baptism and the Lord's Supper, but often those expressions are done with a hurry-up-and-get-on-with-it attitude.
Now I am not proposing that the rites of baptism or the Lord's Supper become as sacraments. Nor am I proposing that we hang crosses, or have stained glass images of the life of Christ everywhere. But I do think we are missing something by not having significant symbols of our faith and history. Hooks that allow us to hang truths from them. Points of reference that can lead our thoughts back to God and what He has done for us in Christ.
Yes, perhaps I am talking about a more solemn liturgy that prompts the mind to spiritual thoughts. Perhaps I am talking about less "let us entertain you" type worship and more of a focus on God and not the stage personalities involved in worship. I want to be moved in my spirit not always challenged in my mind.
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