Separated Seating
-- Apostolic Christian Church Practices Series --
The Apostolic Christian Church has maintained a custom during its worship
service that is very beneficial, although somewhat uncommon in contemporary
society. This is a seating arrangement whereby men are seated on one side
of the assembly, and women on the other.
This seating procedure was adopted when the denomination was
formed and has been practiced successfully for many years. It is a custom
that is appreciated by the brotherhood as a whole, and it has proven to be a
blessing during worship.
Since most church denominations no longer observe this
practice it's possible that questions may arise in the minds of those who are
unfamiliar with it, or who do not entirely understand it. Obviously, the church
has considered this custom to be worthy of retention, and indeed feels it to be
- not only meritorious - but workable, and beneficial for worship.
In holding to this policy for the past 140 years (in view of
trends to the contrary), the church has been quick to concede that there is no
specific Biblical teaching regarding a worship seating arrangement. It
holds, however, that the Bible does contain concise directives that allude to an
atmosphere of godliness, reverence, order, and good fellowship in the household
of faith.
Separated seating, while tending to provide for a more
orderly worship service, also allows for greater and more comprehensive
fellowship among the believers and friends. It encourages the outflow of
more love and compassion than otherwise might be the case. This will be
explained as the topic is developed.
To obtain a better understanding of this practice, it is
necessary to examine historical precedents. Although, in a relative sense,
historical data on this topic is somewhat sparse, sufficient documentation does
exist which substantiates the existence of this practice in the past, even as
far back as the early church, and also in the time before Christ.
Moreover, it has been found that this practice is still in existence today in
various other denominations.
Many theological historians write that this custom was
practiced in the first century Christian churches. In a
book entitled The Early Christian Church by Mr. J. D. Davies a brief
description is given: "The sexes were strictly separated, with either the men in
front, and the women behind; or the men on the right, and the women on the
left."1
In another book, Studies in the Life of the
Early Church by Mr. F. J. Doakes-Jackson, it is explained that men
and women were separated during the worship service. It is rather interestingly
pointed out that doorkeepers looked after the men, and deaconesses after the
women to insure quietness and attentiveness.2
Mr. Edwin Voight, in his book Methodist
Worship in the Church Universal, also refers to the existence of this
practice in the early church. The explanation given is that the early church
needed sufficient procedural order so they could practice the holy kiss. This
valued practice was observed during their actual worship service, so it was
necessary and prudent to seat the sexes separately.3
The Antiquities of the Christian Church
by Mr. Lyman Coleman points out: "The rules of
the primitive churches required the separation of the sexes in the church, and
this was generally observed. The men occupied the left of the alter on the south
side of the church, and the women on the right, on the north. They were
separated from one another by a veil or lattice. In the Eastern churches, the
women occupied the galleries above, while the men sat below".4
Yet another book entitled, A History of the
Early Church to A. D. 500
by Mr. J. W. C. Wand, refers to this
practice: "Within the church was the holy table behind which facing the people,
and with his presbyters on either hand, sat the bishop. Men and women sat
apart".5
Also, in The Church in History by Mr. B.
K. Kuipper, pictorial sketches show the practice of separated seating.6
The Encyclopedia Judaica makes reference to the "mehizah"
which is a Hebrew word for partition or fence. This reference book explains that
as far back as Temple times men and women were separated during the worship
service by a partition which consisted of a non-transparent curtain or some type
of latticework.
The reasons the Jews give for applying this practice had to
do with the matters of frivolity and convenience. It seems that early worship
assemblies were plagued somewhat with
frivolity and lack of attention when men and women sat together.
Also, in those early times, it was necessary for many women
to leave the service early, either to prepare food or to care for infants. By
seating women apart from men this reduced distraction, and made their departure
less obvious, and more convenient.
This seating plan was practiced for many centuries among the
Jewish people and is still a custom of Orthodox Jewish gatherings today. An
article in the New York Times (September 10, 1973) referred to worship services
among the Orthodox branch of Judaism. It said, "According to 2,000-year old
tradition, women are separated from men in religious worship".
In Christian circles, this plan is still practiced today
among the Greek, Russian, and Bulgarian Orthodox churches in this country. Also,
for the most part, it is still practiced by the Apostolic Christian Church
(Nazarene) and by other sister churches in the United States and overseas.
It is interesting to note that in past centuries, and even
today, religious bodies have considered it wise to separate men and women during
worship services. This practice has been considered beneficial in maintaining an
orderly atmosphere during a worship service. The Bible unmistakably refers to
the matter of good order. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Let all things be done
decently and in order" (I
Corinthians 14:40).
The Apostolic Christian Church, too, believes in the
maintenance of godly order, and has found this practice to be a viable means to
this end - and it has proven to be a great blessing as well.
The brethren, both past and present, have felt that when
believers gather in the house of the Lord for public worship all cares and
general matters pertaining to earthly life should be shut out, or relegated to
the background as much as possible. All attention and thought should be focused
entirely on the holy things of God. In such an atmosphere God's children can
truly feel they are "sitting together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians
2:6).
In this frame of reference, a seating arrangement in which
husbands are not sitting next to their wives, and other single men and women are
not sitting mixed, is without question very helpful in curbing the human
tendencies of becoming - distracted or unduly reminded of earthly matters - such
as the husband and wife relationship, or perhaps a lingering romantic
relationship between two unmarried individuals. By sitting separately, the
chance for freedom from this realm of earthly care or distraction is increased.
In Christ, we are neither male nor female (Galatians
3:28), and during the worship service it is well to have such an attitude.
When believers reach the heavenly kingdom, the marriage state
will no longer exist (Luke
20:34-36 and
Mark 12:25). The blessed and God-sanctioned institution of marriage is
nevertheless only an earthly union. Thus, separated seating during a worship
service tends to symbolize the future state that will ultimately prevail in
heaven for the true and faithful - when they actually do sit together
in heavenly places.
Further, although God joins men and women together in
holy matrimony and they "twain become one flesh" (Matthew 19:5), and each serves
to assist the other in spiritual matters, it remains that each partner is
accountable individually before God concerning his or her soul. Each person -
whether married or not - must stand before God entirely on an individual basis.
To a large extent, sitting separately during worship tends to acknowledge this
fact.
Surely, by being separated from the opposite sex, one can
more readily concentrate on the spiritual matters at hand. Distraction is
markedly reduced.
GREATER FELLOWSHIP
When a family unit attends church on Sunday morning, rather than remaining in
their own tight circle and sitting together, separated seating allows them
opportunity to enjoy wider fellowship with the brethren. By sitting apart from
family (men together and women together), the individual is more exposed to, and
learns to know more of the brethren on a more intimate basis. As a result,
deeper and more comprehensive relationships result. This, in turn, contributes
toward greater unity and oneness in a body of believers.
The fact that a husband, wife, and children do not sit
together during worship in church does not drive a wedge between them, or
threaten to weaken their unity. In fact, aside from two hours of separation in
church, they have the opportunity to be together for the balance of the week.
And certainly plenty of opportunity exists during the week for family devotional
periods such as reading God's word, singing, and praying together. Really, if a
family's unity is dependent on where they sit in church, then it's probably on shaky ground to begin with.
The question arises, how does separated seating provide
freedom for greater fellowship? Consider this scenario: On a Sunday morning as a
family comes to church they are not obligated, by custom or habit, to stay
together. Rather, each family member is free to move about the halls and meet
and greet more of their fellow believers. And by doing so, their mobility allows
them to more easily render comfort and love to the older believers, the lonely,
those who bear burdens, and those who come to church alone. One is more free to
sit with, and associate with, those who are perhaps in need of special love and
attention. In this way a deeper and more permanent bond of Christian love and
brotherhood can be established, nourished, and maintained.
It is a beautiful and warming experience to see a young
teenage sister greet an older, and perhaps frail sister, and then proceed into
the assembly with her to sing, pray, and listen to the sermon. Their age
difference is obliterated as they commune and fellowship in Christ. This is a
rich blessing for the church. The chances of this happening would be less
probable if the teenage girl was accustomed to sitting with her parents each
Sunday.
RESPECT FOR WIDOWS
There exists another logical
reason for this seating plan, and again this involves the important matters of
love and compassion. Separated seating is a vehicle which assists in
perpetuating the love of God, particularly with respect to the widows, widowers,
the unmarried, and those who are alone in life. The church mercifully recognizes
that, for the most part, many persons are alone during the week, and perhaps
have to contend with isolation and its frustrations all week long. Many are
burdened by their aloneness and are deeply sensitive about it.
Yet, when these persons come into the house of the Lord for
worship and the opportunity is provided for women to sit with women, and men to
sit with men, their isolation and aloneness immediately disappears as they are
blended in with the balance of the congregation. They are no longer prone to be
reminded of their situation in life - whether being alone, or single, or
whatever - and it becomes indistinguishable as to who is married and who is not.
All are as one, and are as brothers and sisters in Christ. If the seating
arrangement was mixed, the lonely, the single, and those without families or
relatives would continue to bear the weight of their particular situation.
Thus, by employing separated seating, the church as a whole
shows great compassion and love for those parishioners who are alone in life.
The church does what it can to subdue an individual's feeling of "aloneness",
and is gladly willing to provide an atmosphere of togetherness as one in Christ.
CONGREGATIONAL SINGING
Another reason for this seating arrangement concerns the matter of
congregational singing. The church considers singing a very important part of
the believer's life. As a result, singing is a prime part of the worship
liturgy.
For this reason - individual participation in hymn singing -
the church employs no musical instruments during the worship service. It is felt
that a piano or organ tends to somewhat diminish audience participation
(especially in large assemblies) as a congregation tends to "lean" on them for
assistance in the progression of the songs, and "from the heart" singing is
often markedly reduced. Decreased audience participation curbs personal
edification.
Thus, to proceed with reverent and praiseworthy
congregational singing, it is beneficial to have all women sitting together and
all men sitting together. In this way, a beautiful four-part harmony (soprano,
alto, tenor, and bass), which is impressive in its simple beauty and dignity, is
accomplished as the entire church joins together in lifting their voices in
praise to God. The church is deeply impressed with the serene, natural, and calm
beauty of "a capella" singing, and feels its peaceful quality is a treasured
part of the worship liturgy.
Songbooks used during the worship service are written in
four-part harmony and singing is a top priority, and a real blessing in the
church. And the seating arrangement is a helpful means to this end.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The custom of seating men and women separately has indeed worked very well for the Apostolic Christian Church. It has proved to be a policy of wisdom and compassion. It is regarded as good because:
1. It contributes to order in the church.
2. It provides for more intimate and comprehensive fellowship.
3. It allows for compassion toward the widows, the lonely, and other single persons.
4. It contributes to reverent singing.
And in conjunction with these four reasons, it must be reiterated that it is a
practice which has historical precedence all the way back to the early Christian
church.
The Bible encourages believers to "cleave to that which is
good" (Romans
12:9), and certainly this practice has been good and beneficial to the
church.
Also, the Apostle Paul advised the early believers to "stand
fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our
epistle" (II
Thessalonians 2:15). This seating practice is in accordance with this wise
scriptural advice, and in a more general sense, is in sufficient alignment with
the Biblical themes of order, unity, mercy, and compassion.
Separation of the sexes during worship service is not an
oddity, but a mark of distinction. The Apostolic Christian Church, in
recognizing the need for a godly and reverent atmosphere during worship (and one
that reduces distraction) has retained an early church practice that the modern
world, for the most part, has discarded. It has stood forthrightly beside a
church practice that obviously is an asset to a worship service, and was
recognized as such by Christianity as a whole up until about seventy or eighty
years ago.
It is indeed reassuring that the Apostolic Christian Church
has adhered to this time-honored tradition that has provided for sound worship
service. The church has not maintained this custom merely for the sake of
custom, but because it has
worked. The church forefathers in the 19th century (as well as those in the 1st
century) found that separated seating was beneficial.
This practice can best be understood when it is actually
experienced over a period of time. Many brethren, both now and in generations
past, have testified of the blessings found in coming into church - men sitting
on the "men's side", and women on the "women's side" - taking a Zion's Harp
songbook, and joining the brotherhood in singing praises to God in perfect
unity.
There is a favorite hymn that is often sung in Apostolic
Christian assemblies. It goes:
"Our lot is found in
pleasant places,
A goodly heritage is
ours …”
May this wonderful heritage be sustained as long as the Lord tarries.
1.
Davies, J. D.; The Early Christian Church; Holt,
Rinehart, and Winston.
2. Doakes-Jackson, F. J.; Studies In The Life of The
Early Church;
George H. Dorn and Company, page 170.
3. Voight, Edwin; Methodist Worship In The Church
Universal; Graded Press, page 29.
4. Coleman, Lyman; Antiquities Of The Christian Church;
Baker and Scribner, page 184.
5. Wand, J. W. C.; A History Of The Early Church To A. D.
500; Methuen and Company, page 92.
6. Kuipper, B. K.; The Church In History; National
Union of Christian Schools, pages 278 and 349.