The Altar

In my earlier, and much younger life, our church and many others had an altar rail at the front of the church. It usually had a flat top surface to lay an open Bible, and was a good height to rest your head when in a kneeling position. Now that I am older, and still a member of the same church, it is still there as a piece of church furniture, but unused. Why on earth was it put there? Was it ever used? Did it do any good?

The altar had one prime purpose, and that was a focal point in the sanctuary where a person could publicly show that they wanted to meet with Jesus. You can pray anywhere, but the key word is ‘public’. It’s a bit like adult baptism. It’s not done in secret, but in public, just the way John the Baptist and Jesus did it in Bible times. When Nicodemus came to Jesus in secret, it didn’t go well. But all the other open and public meetings with Jesus had a good outcome. You can answer the question ‘why’ for yourself. And in a similar way, the church altar was a way of publicly showing that you were serious in doing business with God, and yes it was used oftentimes and instrumental in helping to change lives. Not the altar itself, but the public nature and openness of the seeker. As for it doing good? Ask Billy Graham who also used a public altar appeal at all of his crusades. I know many people who used an altar of prayer at a crusade or church, and not only were their own lives changed for the better, their friends and family were in no doubt about their intentions.

Now, the altar is largely unused and silent. It is the piece of wood that separates the congregation from the communion table and pulpit. We have become afraid of our own faith and have taken a step back from the public confession, to being a more progressive people who can pray anywhere, and our church witness is different as a result.

So, is it a good thing that our altars are unused? If we say yes, are we then saying that there was no need for them in the past, or that the people who used them were misguided? Careful how we go there, because my parents used the altar and found God there, and so did I. Could I have prayed the sinner’s prayer at home? Certainly, but would I have done that, and found the same release? On a personal basis, I don’t think so. Let me leave you with a thought: The open church altar focuses the mind in a way that your bedroom doesn’t, or am I totally out of order and just plain wrong? Your call!