The Pulpit and The Lectern: Platforms for Declarations | By Archbishop Enyindah

Korede Akintunde
January 22, 2025
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The pulpit and the Lectern are two focal points in the Anglican Church building which some Anglicans and non- Anglicans do not understand their significance in the church liturgical architecture. There are spiritual power points in the church and any man that operates in these places faithfully, controls the spirituality of the place.

These includes:

The prayer desk. It is the place where the pastor/service reader kneels to lead the church in prayer.
The altar table. In the book of Ezekiel, the water that flowed from the spring of heaven, brought healing and restoration wherever it entered (Ezekiel 47:1ff). When a Priest stands at the altar and declares a thing, it is done.

Kindly perpend the importance and significance of the Pulpit and the Lectern in the Anglican liturgy.

The Pulpit is an elevated platform located at usually to one side of the church (the right-hand side, the side where the gospel is read) from the chancel. The elevation symbolises the mountain mounted by Jesus to preach to the crowd, as recorded in the synoptic gospels (Matthew 5:1). The pulpit’s location is meant to emphasize the centrality of Jesus Christ and to indicate that the importance of the preaching of the word of God. It is dedicated only for the “reading and proclamation of the Holy word” of God.

The pulpit is used to promote the authority of the word of God and to preach the precepts of God. It is a place of proclamation. It is a place to please the Master.

It is the proclamation of God’s word that will please Him. Only when the word of God is declared with power that the hoof men are turned unto God. This word has power to heal, power to deliver, power to restore and power to transform.

The Pulpit is for edification and building up of the body of Christ. It is reserved for the clergy or persons given authority. For example, those licensed Lay Readers and Evangelists by the presiding authority of the church.

It is also unethical for questions to be asked after hearing the word of God from the pulpit. The pulpit is not a place for debate, business or any non-biblical event. It is unethical for the Priest or any preacher to take advantage of the Pulpit to settle scores with those who aggrieved them during committee meetings. It is not a place to abuse perceived enemies.

The Lectern is a platform, not elevated as the pulpit. It is smaller than the pulpit and it is where the Bible or other materials are placed. It is usually placed in front of the pews in the church so that the congregation can easily see the speaker and give their full attention to the messages being delivered. It is also dedicated to reading the scripture, preaching, teaching, presentation, and announcements. It is also a place of edification and building up of the body of Christ. Responses, questions, and answers are allowed on the Lectern. Any person can be permitted by the authority to use the Lectern.
It is a matter of courtesy, not right, that respected personalities and public figures can be allowed to use the Lectern for felicitations and courtesies and not to settle scores.

The pulpit and the lectern are platforms for transformation of lives and societal change. Whoever is given the privilege and opportunity to stand on them should be mindful of this.

PERPEND!
The Most Rev’d Dr. Blessing Enyindah
Dean, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.