You know, a big part of my "Methodist" journey over these past couple of years has been the slow and steady knowledge of what works personally for me with regard to worship.

I say this knowing that many folks will pipe up that worship is not about what works for me "personally" and that (GASP) "it's not about me."

However, we would be fools if we ignored the fact that our personal preferences don't play a part in the worship experience. For example, I don't like Southern Gospel songs. I don't personally enjoy them. However, I can worship to them. I can appreciate what they're saying and how it relates to the honor that God deserves.

That's a very brief background to say this - I typically don't enjoy liturgy. Now, before everybody gets all loud about how "EVERY CHURCH HAS A LITURGY, JERK!" (See, I've had lots of these discussions before...I know what a lot of you are going to say...) let me explain. In actuality, I am trying to communicate that I don't enjoy many facets of traditional Methodist liturgy. For example, I usually don't particularly/personally enjoy congregational responses - I do them and I do my best to respect and receive from them, but personally, I don't dig it.

And such has been my journey - discovering what I think is cool, what I think isn't cool and still being a mature follower of Christ regardless.

I say all of that to say this - that I am beginning to form some relatively concrete opinions about worship and it's due in part to my Methodist experience over the years. I don't mean to say that the Methodists have the corner on anything; rather its a case of the United Methodist Church being relatively traditional regardless of worship style.

One opinion that's becoming pretty solid is the fact that I have real problems with a worship space that doesn't include a cross.

You have to understand, I'm Mr. Modern Worship Guy, okay? I've always been the guy wanting the multiple screens and the light show and the "produced" service. It's a big step for me to start vocalizing what I see as problems within the modern church movement that I've been so excited about in my life.

Do I need to explain why I think churches should have a cross somewhere in the worship area? How is it that churches and ministry so intent on "reaching the lost" have completely removed the very symbol that represents the redemption of mankind?

I don't get it. I don't understand how God-fearing, God-honoring church leaders and elders can draw up plans for a building and decided not to have a cross! I'm not trying to make it all about icons, but come on, church! I don't know many evangelical churches (in the South at least) that would shy away from preaching the cross - so why aren't we showing it?

I need the cross. I need to hear about it, sing about it and look at it. I need it as a reminder not only of what Christ has done, but what His sacrifice is still about. I need to remember the cross, because I too often forget that God's passion for redeeming and restoring and saving has not waned. We've got to get the cross back, guys.

Questions for Discussion:
1. Is the "symbol" of the cross as important as I've made it? Should every Christian church have a cross located in the worship space? Why or why not?

2. Why do you think churches have moved away from having an actualy physical cross on the premises?