A Theology of pews

Vintage Faith has a good post on the theology of pews! After tracing the history of the pew, he makes some observations. Here is a good excerpt:

"The theology in this is fascinating - as how we sit when we meet reflects what we place as important in worship. The original vintage church met in homes, it was communal, looking at each other in small rooms, discussing and teaching Scripture, praying for one another and eating a meal together. You could walk around, have dialog etc. Then the church moved into buildings where the Table (the Lord's Supper) was the focal point and we stood, moved around the room, interacted etc. Then we moved into buildings where the pews caused people to sit in stationary positions, not looking at each other, but looking at the pulpit and all facing the same direction. This drastically changes the culture and climate of how we view when the church gathers to worship. It becomes more of a sit and watch and listen meeting, than an interactive community type of a meeting."

<idle musing>
I never liked pews, nor do I like rows of chairs, which is the new pew. Sure, chairs are easier to move around and re-arrange. But, does anybody ever do that? The average church just sets them up in a row like pews! So, instead of fostering community (the intent of moving from pews to chairs) it just reinforces personal space. How ironic. Personally, I like the floor, always have.
</idle musing>