I get some strange reactions from people when I tell them I worship on a basketball court.  You see, several years ago our United Methodist Church went through some growing pains and then expanded. The traditional church building and formal sanctuary we attended for years downtown,  gave birth to a large campus facility on the growing east side of town.  It’s a very large facility, complete with offices, classrooms, nursery, fellowship hall and multi purpose room.

But this very large church is missing what some might consider a very key element: There is no formal sanctuary.  We worship in the same space that serves as our basketball court.

There is a rubber type all purpose floor and chairs that must be set up and removed for Sunday and evening services. Some may find this more than a little strange; but I do not. In fact, I enjoy telling people about our large church facility that sits at the east entrance to our community.

I was in the dentist chair recently and the topic of church came up. I told him where I attended and he knew exactly where the large building and sprawling campus are located. But I think he nearly dropped his drill when I told him our huge church is void of a formal sanctuary.

You see, when we were planning the church, family and fellowship space was the biggest priority. We envisioned a formal sanctuary, but that wouldn’t come until the second phase of building.  What’s it like to worship on a basketball court?  Not much different than what I might feel in the most ornate, elaborate cathedral.

Formal religious objects are just that. Formal religious objects. And while it might help some people get in the mind set, or heart set for worshiping God, it’s only secondary. Worship resides in the heart and soul. And I can lift my worship to Almighty God just as easily from the half court marking in my gym, as from the middle pew of our still formal church sanctuary downtown.

I grew up in the Catholic Church. And as you may know, Catholics love their ritual and symbolism. Don’t get me wrong. I attended some of the most moving, spiritual, heartfelt worship services of my life in the midst of that formal worship setting, complete with statues, gold chalices and a beautiful altar. But I didn’t need those things to commune with God.

We get attached and accustomed to what is comfortable; what we grew up with. But I’ve come to realize that worship comes from the heart. No matter the setting. No matter the sanctuary.

Hitting my knees on a bare floor is more than enough to have intimate worship and encounters with the Lord. The church is a refuge for sinners. Tile floor or expensive wood flooring. Portable chairs or fine oak pews. My church may still build that formal sanctuary one day. Economic conditions dictate a delay.

But you know what? I’m more than okay on the basketball court.

-Steve Fandel
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