Consecuencias de la victimización de menores

We will address the acoustics of the Evangelical church in a separate chapter, but we want to briefl y look at the features of the architecture of the Evangelical church that are unique to it and that distinguish it from the other types of churches. Architects still like to debate the merits of the oft-cited Louis Sullivan edict that “ form {ever} follows function. ” In the Evangelical church, the form of the church building will virtually always follow the function of the space. From the exterior, the typical Evangelical church will be rectangular and of moderate aspect ratio. There may be stained glass, but most often it will be abstract and not representative. There will generally be a steeple, but that will be the extent of the symbolism. In this style of church, there is vir-tually no place for symbolism. Indeed, other than music, there is relatively little space for art at all. The church building is not viewed as a sacred or holy space at all. It is the activity that makes the space sacred. The Evangelical will not think of the pulpit or the communion table or the baptismal as being sacred objects.

The preaching of the word, however, from that pulpit is a sacred act, as is the participation in the communion or in performing baptism.

When you walk into an Evangelical church ( Figure 8.1 ), you notice immediately that the most prominent feature is the pul-pit. The pulpit will be in the center of a stage area that is almost always raised up above the congregation. This is the center of focus and the place from which everything emanates. The pul-pit may not be a sacred object in and of itself but it does have a sacred function .

In a physical sense it simply is a place that holds up the preacher ’ s notes and maybe a microphone stand. It is far more than this on a spiritual and (ironically) on a symbolic level.

The Evangelical church along with most of Protestantism rejects symbolism, yet in the pulpit we find a powerful sym-bol of authority and truth. It is the starting and ending point

for the Evangelical church and rightly occupies the center of visual focus. On the stage with the pulpit there will often be conspicuous seating for the pastor and other leaders of the worship service.

There is almost always a table directly in front of and below the pulpit. This table is a sort of a vestigial altar combined with a common ta communion. ble. As an altar, it is symbolic of sacrifi ce, or man ’ s service to God, and it is here on this altar of sorts that the tithes and offerings are placed upon collection. As a table it represents God ’ s gifts to man and it is from this table that communion is served. It is not by accident that the pulpit is above the altar/table. Everything is subjugated to the Word, even the communion. In some Evangelical churches there will be a cross. The cross will be prominent in the room, maybe even above the pulpit as it is the symbol of salvation, the core concept of the Gospel. The cross will always be empty. This is in stark contrast to the crucifi x seen in Catholic and other Celebratory churches.

Figure 8.1 Interior of a Typical Small Country Baptist Church.

Chapter 8 THE EVANGELICAL STYLE OF WORSHIP

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CROSS OR CRUCIFIX?

A crucifi x is a cross that includes the fi gure of Christ in the process of being executed. This is a point of controversy between Catholics and Protestants. Those who use crucifi xes often cite the verse, “ we preach Christ crucifi ed: a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles ” (1 Corinthians 1:23). The emphasis is on the suffering and the sacrifi ce. Those who use plain crosses will point out that Jesus did not stay on the cross and that he is risen from the dead. They will point out that many were crucifi ed, but only Jesus triumphed over death and that is why he is preached and worshipped. They point to the Catholics especially and accuse them of leaving Jesus on the cross. The Catholics for their part would point out that the empty cross can “ cheapen ” the message that Christ indeed did suffer and that salvation had a terrible price.

If the Evangelical church is from a Baptist tradition, there will be a baptismal. This will not be a simple or small font holding consecrated or holy water. The Baptist and most Evangelicals will insist on complete immersion in the water, not a mere sprinkling upon the head. The baptismal will be located strategically and be

constructed at least partially of glass or other transparent mate-rial so that everyone in the congregation will be able to see the convert descending into and emerging from the water.

For congregational seating, pews are most common. They are usually set up parallel to the front of the church, situated so that everyone can easily see the pulpit. There will not be kneelers as kneeling by the congregation has virtually disappeared from the Evangelical church. The pews will accommodate copies of the Bible and also hymn books placed in racks in the pew-backs. There will also be miniature cup holders built into the back of the pews to accommodate the miniature glasses used for communion.

Most Evangelical churches will have a choir loft of some sort, generally in the front of the church, either behind the pulpit or off to one side. There will also be provision for a variety of musicians ranging from a piano and electronic organ to a full blown mini orchestra in larger churches. Some will use a praise and worship “ band ” in what would be called the contemporary worship vice. It is important to reiterate that music in the Evangelical ser-vice must support the overall mission of preaching the gospel.

Historical Evolution of the Evangelical