Our Real Window to Christ
A withering Baptist congregation in Vermont made a tough church vote--to sell their beloved Tiffany stained glass window which was a symbol of its historic presence in the community. However, it wasn't because they couldn't pay their pastor, or to keep the church open. Instead, they voted to used the money brought in from the window, valued at over $100,000, to continue to fund it's homeless shelter which needed major roof repair and support. (You can read the full news story by clicking here).
I like to think of myself as somewhat of an appreciator of the fine arts--I have been extremely blessed to roam the halls of the Lourve in Paris, and the Uffizi in Florence to see some of the greatest works of Western art. The stained glass window mentioned in the story above (even from just a picture) is beyond doubt a timeless piece of art meant to show it's onlookers the story of St. John the Divine, and perhaps give them a glimpse of how humans can become so inspired by God and the story of the Gospel to create such art. I have also have been lucky enough to have been inspired by some of the most gorgeous churches and cathedrals in Europe, where I have experienced, to some degree, divine inspiration.
We all see Christ in a number of ways, and sometimes those venues are through the visible. We build great churches with the utmost attention to detail--carpet, stained glass, pews made of fine wood. But are we really seeing Christ in the right places?
This congregation gets it. They understand that their church building itself, while it may have been a means to God, it was not God itself. Sometimes it's easy for all of our churches to make that mistake. It would have been easier to just tell the homeless that they had no money, and to save their historic window. But they decided instead of seeing God in that window, to meet God in others in service. May all of our churches be so bold in our service.
- Matt
Rev. Matt Lacey, Director of Mission and Advocacy, North Alabama Conference.
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