On Music: Creating Sacred Spaces

Laura Jeon

On a warm summer night, God intervened in a way that was beyond comprehension. During a time of worship, I felt God’s presence, and the fullness of God’s love became indescribable. It was not just in the words of the hymns or the warmth of the prayers but in the overwhelming sense of belonging in a space where love for God and for one another was palpable. The only thought I had was, “You satisfy me, Lord. I want to be next to you all the days of my life.” Growing up in a pastor’s family brought me familiarity with God, but I felt that night transformed my entire understanding of worship. Worship was more than a ritualistic act; it was a profoundly personal and communal experience of God’s love into which everyone breathes and is welcomed, where all hover closely together, focusing on becoming complete in God. That night showed me that worship is not only personal but a corporate experience of the love of God. In today’s context, when we use the term “shared space” to talk about a church that extends beyond the four walls of a building, it embodies two of our core principles: the principle that everyone can and should be a full participant in worship and the principle of caring for God’s creation. At the same time, those values—accessibility and sustainability—are so related that both urge us to love our neighbor and to preserve God’s creation.

Worship is an essential part of Christian spirituality, and, in addition to rituals, it is an ongoing reflection of God’s love in our daily lives. Romans 12:1 further emphasizes this by urging us to offer our bodies as “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” True worship extends beyond Sundays, inviting us to create spaces embodying God’s love and care for all people and the earth. If worship is about offering our whole selves to God, then the spaces in which worship takes place must reflect this call by welcoming everyone. Imagine arriving at a place meant to include all, only to discover that the sermon cannot be heard, or the words of the hymn cannot be followed. That sense of exclusion can become a heavy burden and may seem particularly isolating to anyone who wears hearing aids, relies on live captioning, or would like large-print bulletins. Accessibility extends beyond the physical to foster an environment of serenity or comfort within each person, a form of goodness that everyone is recognized, heard, and truly valued.

Creating accessible worship means that the congregation’s needs are as diverse as ever and can be met by ramps and elevators, hearing loops, sensory-friendly spaces, and large-print bulletins. These do not simply represent the church reaching out to include people with differing abilities; having accessible worship is an act of love and radical hospitality, ensuring everyone is included. In addition, worship can also be an expression of sustainability in not just small acts but also practice. Churches can reduce the use of paper by making bulletins digital and recycling materials used in services to reduce waste. Churches can also be mindful of their choice of communion elements, using more environmentally friendly ones and saving energy and resources by having energy-efficient lights or solar panels. When churches upgrade facilities to be more accessible with ramps, hearing loops, or elevators, they can also consider using eco-friendly materials, renewable energy, and energy-efficient technologies. This reflects a strong commitment to inclusion, care for the environment, and accessibility, highlighting how looking after both people and the earth are connected expressions of the same love for God’s creation. When worship spaces are designed to welcome everyone—no matter their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities—it truly embodies the heart of the gospel. In this way, sustainability becomes a vital part of the church’s spiritual life, not just an added concern.

Worship should ultimately relay the values of care, accessibility, and sustainability. As a key component, music is perhaps the most profound aspect of worship that fosters feelings of connectedness and unity. Whether the familiarity of hymns or the resonance of contemporary music, it reaches into the soul and binds us not only to God but one another. We help everyone feel included when we worship using various musical traditions, languages, and styles. Whether that is a classical musician inspired by ancient hymns or the most current worship music songwriter, we are called to come together and share so that all of God’s creation—every living being and everything else—can sing its part in the grand choir of worship. Although the two issues may appear distinct, accessibility and sustainability share a particularly powerful connection. They strive to create a worship space that honors the fullness of God’s creation, whether it be the people sitting in the pews or the world beyond our doors. We do this by placing accessibility at the top of our list and being ready to lead wherever God’s love sends us in our care for everyone whose paths we cross. Together, these values represent a missional approach, reflecting the very heart of the gospel.

Our worship spaces of the future must be an embodiment of God’s love for all of creation, and we should use them for that purpose. Worship becomes more than just a time of common praise; it is the realization and vivid expression of God’s love, mercy, inclusion, and justice—embodied in worship to possess a tangible manifestation here on earth and similar to God’s kingdom where every soul, no matter the circumstance, is gathered together. Going forward, we have a chance to write our own history—one defined by openness and care for those who will come after us. Our choices today will be the legacy that determines when future congregations feel God’s love in worship and do so in a manner that honors God’s people and creation. Moreover, in doing this—in building a safe place to be close to God and one another—our relationship with God gets stronger alongside our connection to one another through faith. These spaces help us remember that creation is sacred; it is a gift we are responsible for. When an accessible and sustainable worship space embodies these values, we give God glory by creating a divine space for all people while also honoring the world we share.