It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time?
Tony Cooke
One of the fascinating things about studying church history is to see certain practices that have been used at different times by various groups. These were simply ways that they “did church.”
For example, in the Old South Church in Newburyport, Massachusetts, where Paul Revere hung the bell in the steeple, and George Whitefield’s crypt is still in the basement, you can find to this day (for display purposes only, I would guess) two long poles with feathers on the end. I took the picture below when Jerry Mullins, a Whitefield enthusiast, gave me a tour.
In Colonial days these were used by ushers to tickle the nose or chin of church members who had fallen asleep during the sermon. I guess this was before churches had coffee bars available in the lobby.
When I was visiting the Greyfriars Kirk (Church) in Edinburgh, Scotland, I was surprised to learn that this historic congregation had a replica of a “Stool of Repentance” that was used for the public shaming of those who had committed certain sins. In the light of Jesus’ kindness toward the woman taken in adultery (John 8:1-11), it is hard to imagine a church requiring a person who had sinned to be singled out publicly in church.
In the same church, they displayed “Communion Tokens,” without which, a person could not come to the Lord’s Table. There was an explanatory sign beneath these that said, “These tokens, usually of stamped lead, pewter, or tin, were issued to members of the congregation by church elders as a means of confirming that a recipient was in a worthy state to receive communion. They were often dated and sometimes numbered to provide a sitting order.” These were first suggested by John Calvin in the 1500s.
Needless to say, I’ve not been in any modern churches that had rods with feathers, repentance stools, or communion tokens. I am reminded, though, that “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8 NKJV).
Thinking about these things made me wonder, if the Lord should tarry his coming, what will believers in the year 2225 think about some of the practices in churches these days? Remember, it doesn’t take long for some fads to quickly pass into oblivion. If I were tempted to doubt that, all I have to do is think about the burnt orange leisure suit that I wore to a science fair (along with platform shoes) during my sophomore year in high school.
These examples from history cause me to think through my practices today. Are my actions today reflective of the love and nature of God? Is Christ well represented by my treatment of people and all of my ministry activities? Not only would I like future generations to think I did ministry well, but I especially want the Lord Jesus Christ to be pleased with how I served people and conducted myself.
