Living Stones: What A Church Is Built From

Churches have a black eye, but some of it is because of what American religion has become.

Megachurches become well-oiled machines that provide world-class entertainment to gather the masses. And the formula works for what the goal is.

The church is not an institution or a crystal cathedral that massages egos.

In God’s mind, a church is built not with brick and mortar. People make a church.

But what kind of people are in the church?

Some are poor and can barely get by, while others never have to ask about the cost of anything.

Some labor daily in menial tasks, and others are captains of industry.

School teachers occupy pews, as well as reformed drug addicts who must deal with their demons every day.

Some speak English, while others find it a peculiar tongue and prefer to use their native language.

It’s a strange kind of mixture to throw together.

But there is a reason.

Few recognize the name Henry Bacon.

The works of this obscure architect shine  in one of his works that most, if not all, Americans recognize.

At the west end of the reflecting pool in Washington, D. C., opposite the capitol and perpendicular to the White House, stands a monument to the great emancipator, Abraham Lincoln. It is majestic and has a sense of awe to it.

Most do not realize how deeply Bacon’s beliefs went into that monument.

Most statues and monuments are made from stone from a single quarry. Not the Lincoln Memorial.

On the terrace level, the marble came from Massachusetts. The upper steps and outside façade are Colorado marble. Tennessee provided the marble for the floor of the chamber. Indiana limestone comprises the interior walls and columns, while marble from Alabama makes up the ceiling tiles.

And the statue of Lincoln came from a Georgia quarry.

Such was the design for Bacon wanted to emphasize something Lincoln’s conviction. The nation was a union, not individual states. Many are one, as the American slogan says.

No wonder God made his church like this. From Pentecost, slave and master alike would worship together, as would men and women and Jew and Greek. Jesus died for them all.

Peter would reflect on this strange construction.

“you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5, ESV)

So you have your place alongside those redeemed by the blood of Christ. All so different and yet all so saved. A union–out of many one.