Raising Stones: Worship for the Missional Church

The other day I was thinking about the Old Testament practice of raising stones to worship God, give thanks, seal a covenant, or name the Presence of God on earth. Specifically, I was wondering if altar-building should function as the dominant metaphor of worship for the missional church.

Here's a sketch of what I've been thinking.

Prior to the construction of the tabernacle and eventually the temple, the worship of God in the book of Genesis wasn't tied to place. Rather, wherever an encounter with God occurred that place was made into a place of worship, usually by raising an altar of stones. These stones commemorated places where the Presence of God was recognized and named. "God was here," the stones seem to say.

For example, the story of Jacob's dream at Bethel in Genesis 28:

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar...
The raising of a stone in the story is Jacob's way naming the Presence of God: "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." And I wonder if that model isn't something that might describe worship for the missional church.

During the time of the tabernacle and temple God was in a specific location. Thus, to encounter the Presence of God you had to go to a specific place, eventually this was the temple in Jerusalem. God's Presence was identified with a particular and immobile location. Kind of like how Christians view the church building. God is in the church--a temple-like building--and we go there to encounter God. Obviously, for the missional church--a priesthood scattered among the nations--this view of church and worship is a problem. The temple/church model doesn't fit the experience of the missional church in the world.

But here's the deal, the temple is no more. So where are we to worship? I'm wondering if we don't go back to the pre-temple form of worship: raising altars to name the Presence of God in the world.

Of course, I'm not saying we should start piling stones on top of each other in our workplaces or at the YMCA or in the frozen produce section at Walmart. I am simply suggesting that raising stones on holy ground, wherever we find it, is a better model of missional worship than the temple/church model. In temple/church worship you have to leave the world and go to a particular place. But in altar worship God is already in the world! The gateway of heaven is just around the corner. Holy ground just might be at the YMCA.

And if this is so, worship starts to follow the pattern of Jacob. As strangers and sojourners in the world we learn to name and commemorate the Presence of God in our daily lives. In our homes, our neighborhoods, and our workplaces. We stop, perhaps even today, to declare that we are standing on holy ground:
“Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it. How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

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11 thoughts on “Raising Stones: Worship for the Missional Church”

  1. We tithe to ourselves and use the money to build magnificent and bigger barns complete with gyms, social rooms with  espresso machines and mammoth paved parking lots with shuttle service to bring the worshipers to the temple. And then we must have a plethora of programs and staff to justify all that money and space.  The American church has become a country club, a social organization for the benefit of its members.

    When really, a pile of rocks is sufficient.

  2. Cairns are almost ubiquitous along Lake Superior's North Shore--God's country if it is to be found anywhere. Thanks for putting me in the loop about that. 

  3. I am ALL for this intriguing idea and especially if it means that I really don't then need to go to church anymore and especially NOT to have to sing the embarrassing and twee songs that pass for 'worship' nowadays!

  4. But wasn't one of the themes of Chronicles and Kings the ones who did right by tearing down those very "high places" you mention? Of course, conservative commentaries say that the high places were for pagan worship, but what seems to be pagan is the notion of worship that occurs outside the institutional church or temple. Your idea is an interesting dialectic with the link to "spiritual but not religious" that you posted a while back.

  5. I really like this. What I appreciate in particular is forming a connection between what the missional movement already espouses--namely going out rather than drawing in--with an ancient form of worship. It anchors this sort of trend in the sacred story. 

  6. I've used the "raising stones" approach before, especially for unusual cathartic experiences. It is good just to have a place to return and remember what God has done. The accompanying practice of the Old Testament that is worth exploring is "naming" God. (ex. My Helper or My Judge)

  7. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "now you are in Christ old things have passed away;behold all things have become new." The early Christians met together in a particular place to pray and worship. Timothy was sent to Pastor a church so were many others that were raised.

    Hebrews 10:25--- "Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers]..."--AMP

    Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other---CEV

    In Acts 4 after John and Peter were whipped by the Jews for healing someone at the gate of beautiful, they met together with the other apostles and prayed. The bible says after they prayed something happened---- study.

    We the believers of Christ (saints) are the church, our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. The building is a place for us to meet as believers.

    Why are you being confused? Hosea 4:6 God said "my people are perished cos they lack knowledge." Study the bible and not just read it then you would not get confused.
    I am not judging but as a fellow Christian, sharpening you. After all bible says "...iron sharpens iron..."

    God bless you.

  8. Hello,

    2 Corinthians 5:17 says "now you are in Christ old things have passed away;behold all things have become new." The early Christians met together in a particular place to pray and worship. Timothy was sent to Pastor a church so were many others that were raised. They met to fellowship with the Lord in a building.

    Hebrews 10:25--- "Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers]..."--AMP

    Hebrews 10:25----"Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other...."---CEV

    In Acts 4 after John and Peter were whipped by the Jews for healing someone at the gate of beautiful, they met together with the other apostles and prayed. The bible says after they prayed something happened---- study it. They were empowered by God's Spirit.

    We the believers of Christ (saints) are the church, our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. The building is a place for us to meet as believers.

    You made that statement cos you do not understand that we ought to meet to pray for one another and to win more people to God's side.


    Galatians 6:2 says that we should pray for one another, supporting and helping one another in prayers.


    Hosea 4:6 God said "my people are perished cos they lack knowledge." Study the bible and not just read it then you see and understand all these.

    I am not judging but as a fellow Christian, sharpening you. After all bible says "...iron sharpens iron..."

    Are you born again?

    God bless you.

  9. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "now you are in Christ old things have passed away;behold all things have become new." The early Christians met together in a particular place to pray and worship. Timothy was sent to Pastor a church so were many others that were raised. They met to fellowship with the Lord in a building.

    Hebrews 10:25--- "Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers]..."--AMP

    Hebrews 10:25----"Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other...."---CEV

    In Acts 4 after John and Peter were whipped by the Jews for healing someone at the gate of beautiful, they met together with the other apostles and prayed. The bible says after they prayed something happened---- study it. They were empowered by God's Spirit.

    We the believers of Christ (saints) are the church, our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. The building is a place for us to meet as believers.

    You made that statement cos you do not understand that we ought to meet to pray for one another and to win more people to God's side.

    Galatians 6:2 says that we should pray for one another, supporting and helping one another in prayers.

    Hosea 4:6 God said "my people are perished cos they lack knowledge." Study the bible and not just read it then you see and understand all these.

    I am not judging but as a fellow Christian, sharpening you. After all bible says "...iron sharpens iron..."

    Are you born again?

    God bless you.

  10. I am not judging but as a fellow Christian, sharpening you. After all bible says "...iron sharpens iron..."

    2 Corinthians 5:17 says "now you are in Christ old things have passed away;behold all things have become new." The early Christians met together in a particular place to pray and worship. Timothy was sent to Pastor a church so were many others that were raised. They met to fellowship with the Lord in a building.

    Hebrews 10:25--- "Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers]..."--AMP

    Hebrews 10:25----"Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other...."---CEV

    In Acts 4 after John and Peter were whipped by the Jews for healing someone at the gate of beautiful, they met together with the other apostles and prayed. The bible says after they prayed something happened---- study it. They were empowered by God's Spirit.

    We the believers of Christ (saints) are the church, our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. The building is a place for us to meet as believers.

    You made that statement cos you do not understand that we ought to meet to pray for one another and to win more people to God's side.

    Galatians 6:2 says that we should pray for one another, supporting and helping one another in prayers.

    Hosea 4:6 God said "my people are perished cos they lack knowledge." Study the bible and not just read it then you see and understand all these.

    Are you born again?

    God bless you.

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