Church Reminds Leaders That Foyers Should Be Focused on Christ

[bluebell]

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/art-foyers-entryways-reverence-jesus-christ?fbclid=IwAR0fYDRdRRylmjxAxh_CDnn5jFPeJDDqDN8jsgTLcrI7lYzds9jMCeisH0A

The Newsroom has released an article reminding bishops that entryways should be completely focused on Christ, and provided artwork options and guidelines to help.  Here is the first part of the article.  Click the link to read the whole thing.

Quote

 

In a letter today, the First Presidency is asking local leaders to ensure that the aesthetic feel in the foyers and entryways to the faith’s weekly worship spaces reflects an even deeper reverence for the Lord Jesus Christ. This effort supports President Russell M. Nelson’s call over the past 18 months to emphasize that “Jesus Christ is at the center of His Church” (First Presidency letter, March 5, 2019).

Today’s letter says local leaders and facilities managers should work together to assess the placement and unobstructed display of Christ-focused art in the foyers and main entries of each of the faith’s meetinghouses around the world. Leaders can continue to choose from a selection of art that features the Savior of the world. 

 

I've not noticed entryways that don't have pictures of Christ.  Mine has an 8 foot tall picture of Jesus in the last days.  But we do have some side entrances that have no artwork or sitting spaces at all.  Do you think they mean those doors as well?

[JAHS]

They do say "main" entries.  Our two main entrance foyers have large pictures of Jesus on the wall opposite the doors, but we have a back door that people can come in from the parking lot where people are greeted by a drinking fountain. There are pictures of Jesus on various places on the walls of the hallways. Our stake center has a side door where the bathrooms are. 

 

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

53 minutes ago, bluebell said:

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/art-foyers-entryways-reverence-jesus-christ?fbclid=IwAR0fYDRdRRylmjxAxh_CDnn5jFPeJDDqDN8jsgTLcrI7lYzds9jMCeisH0A

The Newsroom has released an article reminding bishops that entryways should be completely focused on Christ, and provided artwork options and guidelines to help.  Here is the first part of the article.  Click the link to read the whole thing.

I've not noticed entryways that don't have pictures of Christ.  Mine has an 8 foot tall picture of Jesus in the last days.  But we do have some side entrances that have no artwork or sitting spaces at all.  Do you think they mean those doors as well?

It has always been a chronic problem of noise, when Wards have overlapping schedules. Something that Bishop’s very rarely speak too, or take action about. with every part of the building, we should all have deep reverence for, just as we do In Temples. Something I always try to teach, or remind my family of, each time the need arises.  

[Robert F. Smith]

2 hours ago, bluebell said:

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/art-foyers-entryways-reverence-jesus-christ?fbclid=IwAR0fYDRdRRylmjxAxh_CDnn5jFPeJDDqDN8jsgTLcrI7lYzds9jMCeisH0A

The Newsroom has released an article reminding bishops that entryways should be completely focused on Christ, and provided artwork options and guidelines to help.  Here is the first part of the article.  Click the link to read the whole thing.

I've not noticed entryways that don't have pictures of Christ.  Mine has an 8 foot tall picture of Jesus in the last days.  But we do have some side entrances that have no artwork or sitting spaces at all.  Do you think they mean those doors as well?

Probably not.  Some parts of a typical chapel will feature a long line of photos of modern-day prophets.  Other parts tend to have a mix of biblical and Book of Mormon art.  The foyer is the main entryway.  We have two of them, one on either side of the main chapel at my ward.  One could have statuary and large paintings thereat.  Jesus in Gethsemane or on the cross would be appropriate.  Something rather Roman Catholic would be nice.  Your local Baptist church is not likely to have too much of that, but correct me if I am wrong.  I haven't been in a Baptist church in ages. 

[Robert F. Smith]

1 hour ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

It has always been a chronic problem of noise, when Wards have overlapping schedules. Something that Bishop’s very rarely speak too, or take action about. with every part of the building, we should all have deep reverence for, just as we do In Temples. Something I always try to teach, or remind my family of, each time the need arises.  

Temple and meeting house:  Two very different things.  We don't normally take small children and babies to the temple.  The ward or branch meeting house needs to be a happy place, where children feel comfortable.  It has a cultural hall which doubles as a basket ball court.  Nothing like that in a temple.  The chapel itself does need to be treated with reverence, but Mormons are very social and love to meet and greet --- and maybe we will do so again sometime when the current restrictions are over.

[mnn727]

4 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Temple and meeting house:  Two very different things.  We don't normally take small children and babies to the temple.  The ward or branch meeting house needs to be a happy place, where children feel comfortable.  It has a cultural hall which doubles as a basket ball court.  Nothing like that in a temple.  The chapel itself does need to be treated with reverence, but Mormons are very social and love to meet and greet --- and maybe we will do so again sometime when the current restrictions are over.

When I was investigating the Church (a couple decades back) one thing that struck me was how friendly everyone was. 

The reverence must be tempered with brotherhood and sisterhood or we've missed the complete message of Christ.

[CA Steve]

Is this artwork supposed to show Christ as an elderly while male, reinforcing our current leadership,  or how he really was?

Edited May 11, 2020 by CA Steve

[JAHS]

20 minutes ago, CA Steve said:

Is this artwork supposed to show Christ as an elderly while male, reinforcing our current leadership,  or how he really was?

All the paintings in the church buildings I have seen are all depictions of some event from the scriptures that show him as a young man in his 30's.
What if He had lived longer?  Then he would have been an old man leader of the church, right?

[strappinglad]

25 minutes ago, CA Steve said:

how he really was?

Let me go back through my archive of first century photos and see if I can find a proper representation. 😁

I have seen the latest artists concept of what He probably looked like. Okay then, if you insist. Just as long as the robes and sandals are period correct.

[bluebell]

59 minutes ago, CA Steve said:

Is this artwork supposed to show Christ as an elderly while male, reinforcing our current leadership,  or how he really was?

As far as I know we don’t know how he really was, do we?

If you click on the link it shows picture options leaders can choose from. 

[Duncan]

and not a moment too soon!

I really like this idea!

Edited May 12, 2020 by Duncan

[Robert F. Smith]

On 5/11/2020 at 5:49 PM, strappinglad said:

Let me go back through my archive of first century photos and see if I can find a proper representation. 😁

I have seen the latest artists concept of what He probably looked like. Okay then, if you insist. Just as long as the robes and sandals are period correct.

I suppose large crucifixes are out.  But here is one with the nails through his wrists:

"The Crucified Christ" 1610-11 by Rubens

Edited May 13, 2020 by Robert F. Smith

[katherine the great]

5 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

It has always been a chronic problem of noise, when Wards have overlapping schedules. Something that Bishop’s very rarely speak too, or take action about. with every part of the building, we should all have deep reverence for, just as we do In Temples. Something I always try to teach, or remind my family of, each time the need arises.  

I love the noise Papa! I love seeing people hugging (not lately of course) and laughing and enjoying their time at church. I feel like expressions of joy are a part of reverence too--as long as they move it out into the hallway so the next ward can prepare for their meeting. Mine may be a minority view.  ❤️

[Scott Lloyd]

3 hours ago, mnn727 said:

When I was investigating the Church (a couple decades back) one thing that struck me was how friendly everyone was. 

The reverence must be tempered with brotherhood and sisterhood or we've missed the complete message of Christ.

This reads as though reverence for Christ is not conducive to friendliness or brotherhood/sisterhood. That notion is not self evident at all. 
 

Maybe I’m not grasping your meaning. 

Edited May 12, 2020 by Scott Lloyd

[Scott Lloyd]

24 minutes ago, katherine the great said:

I love the noise Papa! I love seeing people hugging (not lately of course) and laughing and enjoying their time at church. I feel like expressions of joy are a part of reverence too--as long as they move it out into the hallway so the next ward can prepare for their meeting. Mine may be a minority view.  ❤️

We have a problem (or did before the pandemic) of raucous noise coming from the hallways and foyers into our sacrament meeting — even with the doors closed — as the other ward leaves their classrooms. It’s a real issue, in my view, that ought to be addressed. 

Edited May 12, 2020 by Scott Lloyd

[Scott Lloyd]

It’s clear that President Nelson is not backing away from the renewed and sustained emphasis on the centrality of Christ in the Church, this despite some grumbling, murmuring and lampooning that has transpired over some statements made and measures that have been mandated. 
 

I think this will go down in history as a hallmark of his presidency — like the Book of Mormon with President Benson and “lengthen your stride” with President Kimball. 

Edited May 12, 2020 by Scott Lloyd

[Duncan]

Our Foyer has this faded painting and it's been there 30 plus years. Thing is it's facing the doorway where the sun shines on it, I don't know how to get away from that though, replace it and then have another painting and it fade in 30 years or how to deal with it?

[The Nehor]

We have pictures of Joseph Smith and have “Praise to the Man” played on a loop softly in our foyers through a sound system. I am sure that is basically the same thing.

[Rain]

1 hour ago, Duncan said:

Our Foyer has this faded painting and it's been there 30 plus years. Thing is it's facing the doorway where the sun shines on it, I don't know how to get away from that though, replace it and then have another painting and it fade in 30 years or how to deal with it?

If it lasts 30 years I think that would be worth it.

We have a problem with outdoor keyholes melted on some of our buildings.

[strappinglad]

1 hour ago, Duncan said:

Our Foyer has this faded painting and it's been there 30 plus years.

Check  out the wall behind it . There will be an example of what the wall used to look like. 

[strappinglad]

2 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

I suppose large crucifixes are out.  But here is one with the nails through his wrists:

I have yet to see an accurate portrayal of a correct crucifixion . All have a glaring mistake... as it should be. 

 

 

[Thinking]

Is the back entrance considered a main entrance? I have noticed that the back entrance usually has pictures of the first presidency.

[Duncan]

Part of me thinks though with all that is going on this is part of the leaders thinking? What the foyer looks like to people that can't even attend Church?

[Robert F. Smith]

2 hours ago, strappinglad said:

I have yet to see an accurate portrayal of a correct crucifixion . All have a glaring mistake... as it should be.

Correct, but we have to have some level of decency.  Right?

As a high school kid, I once read a science fiction story about time travelers who decided to go back and film Jesus' crucifixion.  They didn't say why, but it was too horrible and it traumatized them.  I got an inkling of what it might have been like when I saw "The Passion of the Christ" (2004), which was rated R for the violence only.

[Meadowchik]

8 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said:

This reads as though reverence for Christ is not conducive to friendliness or brotherhood/sisterhood. That notion is not self evident at all. 
 

Maybe I’m not grasping your meaning. 

They said reverence, not "reverence for Christ." The notion of reverence as relatively quiet and still can make it harder to make the proper introductions to others and give them the information they might need to participate.

 

5 hours ago, Duncan said:

Part of me thinks though with all that is going on this is part of the leaders thinking? What the foyer looks like to people that can't even attend Church?

It's quite possibly part of an established plan to further the Christ-centering initiative, one that was already waiting in the wings to be rolled out.