What does it mean that we call churches “sanctuary”? Is it a safe place? It is a holy place? During this time of COVID-19, when many churches are not able to worship face-to-face, and in the space that many are used to, is it possible to find a sense of “sanctuary?”

Jonathan is joined by Doug Avilesbernal, the Executive Minister of the Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches, USA. Doug brings insight, history, and does the majority of the academic heavy lifting for this episode.

One of the things to consider is if the church is a holy place or a safe place, because the two are not always the same. If the church is meant to be a safe space, then to what end and for what purpose? Some may use the idea of sanctuary as a political statement but that may be at the expense of some individuals. Some try to embrace the idea of a specific space as a sense of safety.

Yet is worship safe? Worship is not supposed to be a place where we are only comforted and made to feel safe. When people are protesting in the streets, when people are being murdered because of the color of their skin, worship should not be an experience that is comfortable and easy, but powerful and convicting. At this point, the idea of “sanctuary” may not mean a safe place, but a holy place. It may mean more a place where we encounter the divine and that is not always safe.

As always, thanks for listening. Check out the website: www.twelveenough.com Send your comments and questions to twelveenough@gmail.com, and don’t forget to rate the show on iTunes.