On Friday evening, July 19, a four-alarm fire destroyed the 134-year-old Historic Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Dallas. I, and thousands of people around the world grieved deeply. For many it was a sacred place.
I professed my faith in Christ in the sanctuary when I was five years old and was baptized there by Dr. Criswell at age six. My family never missed corporate worship services – every Wednesday evening and Sunday mornings and evenings we were there. The church nurtured me for the first 17 years of my life. I was called to the ministry and later ordained there. Mary and I were married in the sanctuary and dedicated our children at the altar. To us, it was a sacred place.
I know that the body of Christ is a spiritual entity, so ultimately physical buildings don’t matter and have no eternal value. But isn’t it wonderful when a physical place becomes a sacred place because of the life-changing, spiritual transactions that take place inside.
I also find spiritual succor and inspiration in St. Paul’s cathedral in London and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Every time I enter these monumental churches the beauty, history, and worship services take me to a transcendent, numinous place and I’m linked to the ancient church. I also feel connected to the sacred when I’m in my vineyard..
How is a sacred place established?
1. The space was created for the glory of God.
2. We’ve had transformative, spiritual experiences in the space.
3. The space is safe, accepting, and available.
How about you? Do you have a sacred place? Click respond and tell me and other readers about it.
Here are before and after pictures of FBC Dallas’s historic sanctuary.
