The sacred is no longer accorded
time nor space; no need to reserve or
provide room for the divine,
the holy. Efficiency is the winner
every time. It fits us better
to have a stage instead of
a chancel, an auditorium
in place of a sanctuary.
We no longer have a narthex
but a welcome center.
Lighting is essential, colors are
to be pleasing and comfortable,
the chairs easy and flexible, requiring
nothing but sitting and watching.
Sound can only be loud requiring
the best in amplification; singing
is not essential and impossible
in any case except maybe a chorus
that has the answers but the
refrain that held the question
gets swallowed up
in the reverb.