Comments on: Flag In the Sanctuary

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:36:24 +0000

Chad — loving neighbors commits us to life in community with others, and country is just community writ large. That’s how I see the two loves connected. I expect people in other countries to love their native lands as I love my own. That seems natural to me.

Bill — Seeing the American flag dip before Christ the King is exactly how things should be. My Dad was a colonel in the USAF, but he loved ‘Eternal Father, Strong to Save’ nonetheless.

Peace to you both, and thanks for stopping in.

By: chad m

chad m — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:22:29 +0000

great post on a somewhat divisive topic. can you explain more what you mean when you say, “loving of country is part of love of neighbor”? thanks!

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:44:24 +0000

As a Reformed believer I’m not really crazy about the prominent display of national flags in a church sanctuary. In our own (PCA) church the flags are displayed in front, at opposite sides of the chancel (although I’d rather see the state flag opposite the national color as opposed to whatever that white thing is with the cross on it )…

I live five minutes from the Naval Academy, am a USNA dad, and sang for several years in their Protestant chapel choir. Every Sunday, before the ministers process, a color guard of midshipmen marches down the aisle and posts the colors. At the end of every service, during the singing of the Navy hymn “Eternal Father Strong to Save,” the colors are slowly and ceremoniously retired. The flag of the Brigade of Midshipmen is dipped in front of the high altar, which is topped with a gorgeous Tiffany window depicting Christ walking on the water (what better image of our Lord at the Naval Academy!)…

then, in turn, the National flag is dipped.

The first time I saw this, I was in tears. Yes, I’ve been in the military myself for over 20 years and like most servicepeople, I have an almost mystical respect for our national ensign. But to see it bow before the image of the King of Kings…

Now THAT’s an appropriate way to display a US flag in church.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:29:15 +0000

Thanks for your comments, Peter. I think there’s a difference between a nation having strong Christian influences, as the US has, and being a Christian nation, which the First Amendment precludes. I agree with your concerns about nationalism — I think internationalism is also ‘counterproductive to Jesus’ call.’ Peace to you today.

By: Peter J. Walker - EmergingChristian.com

Peter J. Walker - EmergingChristian.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:45:09 +0000

Really good post. Thanks for the link to Jericho, too. I agree that America is not a Christian nation. I think that being a “Christian nation” is sort of like committing national suicide. How do you build an economy and protect your people without undermining the Gospel? Aren’t we supposed to lay down and die? I sort of think so…

I am thankful to be an American, but I am not proud to be. I never did anything to “earn” my status as an American. I got lucky by birth.

I’m not offended to have flag in church, but I would never put one up in a church I pastored (if I could help it). Patriotism and nationalism seem very counterproductive to Jesus’ call. At least to me…

Thanks Chris,
Peter

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:28:40 +0000

Thanks, Warren. If someone draped the flag over the cross, then I’d want to remove it from that place. But apart from that I can’t think of a circumstance that would cause me to remove the flag from the sanctuary. I just needs to be discreet and unobtrusive. That being said, if the sanctuary had no flag in it, I wouldn’t miss it either. Thanks for stopping by. Peace to you.

By: Warren

Warren — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:14:30 +0000

Good post Chris. During my last search for a position the first question I was asked by a search committee was “Are there any circumstances that would cause you to remove the American Flag from the Sanctuary?” I knew then that I wasn’t a fit for them. That being said the relationship between a country which sacrifices for the freedom of worship (everyone’s, I hope) and those who worship is interesting and necessary to explore and understand.

Have a good weekend.