Displaying a Cross in Church

“I’ve always been of the mind that I shouldn’t NEED anything to worship Jesus. Once I start establishing a list of things that must be in place for me to worship, I begin to worship the list instead of Jesus.”

Completely agree.

We all have opinions, which in the end have little to do with our relationship with God, that slide into dogma. For some, it’s a cross. Others, a pulpit. For some, it’s the removal of those things, as Shane Claiborne has documented.

Maybe those people have a point. Maybe forgetting the cross means we are thinking about it as decoration. Or maybe it means that we can learn something from Jesus outside of the cross.

Or maybe it means that we’re all going to hell.

I don’t think it is necessary. I doubt that Peter and John lead the church in Jerusalem with a ornately decorated cross behind them.

Going to hell over a cross…if that’s the case I’m in trouble.

Sometimes I want to yell at people. Especially in church. Topics like this only make it worse. “We have to have a cross.” “We can’t sing anything newer than ‘How great Thou art.” “We need to be taught by somebody over the age of 45 and they have to wear a suit.” To this day, I still have arguments about this stuff with my parents. Drives me up the wall. I understand being respectful of tradition, whatever that means, but at some point it gets ridiculous.

If you need all of those things to “worship” or to enjoy church, you really need a lot more of Jesus.

Recently I’ve struggled with this very topic. I feel as if a lot of Christians, including myself, have allowed the cross to become a sort of an idol. I’ve found myself worshipping the cross, and not God.

For myself, I had a need to focus on something during worship. I started to use the cross as a crutch for the God that I could not see with my eyes. Realizing what was taking place in my mind and heart has transformed my worship experience.

To defend those who must have a cross I think they would likely say that the cross immediately connects them to Jesus.

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Mr. Braun, i’ve been visiting your blog for over a year and i am never disappointed at the topics and issues that are discussed here. You’ve done a truly excellent job my friend.

As to your post on the Cross, I would only add that I believe that since Calvary the Cross has become a symbol of the Gospel. If Christ is the central figure of the Faith, then the Cross must be the central station of His life. Any angle by which we examine or approach the Gospel will assuredly lead us to the centrality of the Cross.

Now if we leave the Gospel and simply review the tradition of the Church for the past two millenia, even a cursory glance will demonstrate that the Cross has represented our Faith.

The problem that I see in what I would call Modern congregations is the two-fold tendency to regard Scriptural Symbolism as Stigmatism and what I would loosely describe as Ornamentalism. These people see the material expression of a Cross as either a ritualistic encroachment or a merely aesthetic repugnance.

The truth is that the Cross is neither of those things. It is a Symbol of the Sacrifice of Christ; it has more meaning than the world will ever know. And it will continue to be the Bastion of our Faith even after our capricious Christian culture in America has washed its hands.

Self righteousness in any shape or form (either by suit wearing or a tattoed, nose-ringed, jeans wearing pastor….a hymn singin’ choir or a Crowder song’s singin’ congregation) is wrong.

Balance is key.

I avoid these types of Christians at ALL cost…I’d rather spend 100 years with non-Christians than spending 1 minute talking to these people..and I’ve been there.
(and yes, I’m a Christian too).

I guess I’m having a hard time figuring out how a person who sings hymns or a pastor who wears jeans is self righteous…?

Nevermind it’s just semantics….forget it.

if i may, i think what yonas is pointing out is there’s always a battle of “who knows what jesus would like us to look like bestest.” – the point being – there are some who use a cross symbol, a hymn format or an old fashion suit to associate themselves with being connected to God…While others say – “nah, Jesus would wear jeans and sing david crowder.” ….no matter what “side” you’re on, there seems to be this battle of who’s got a better “grip” on Christ…RATHER than just connecting – no matter the scene, the clothes or what you’re getting “out of it.” — that’s the self righteousness…just connect…with your Maker, in the way you know how.

He will meet you where you are – if you’re “clean” fabulous. if you’re “dirty” – well that’s ok too – b/c he’ll clean you up.

Worship is in the life we live – the attitude and the heart. Not the style…those things are just skin deep expressions.

I like having a cross present when we gather. Do I need it? No. Do I like it? Yeah.

Gives me an instant visual reminder of why we gather – look to the cross. Gives me a great reminder of who we come to worship – look to the cross. Gives me great assurance of His authority – look to the cross. Gives me a great opportunity to lead others – look to the cross.

But no.. not required.