Glitter Belongs in the Church
A new way to worship that includes us all
Our churches are changing. Bean bag chairs, glitter jars, and coloring books are making their way into religious spaces, couches have been added to altars, and noise-reducing headphones are hanging off pews. Tradition as we know it is gone, and it’s a good thing. Here’s why.
In all its forms, worship has been a staple in the Christian religion for thousands of years. Over time, though, we have kept things the same, never adapting, never growing. While some people view tradition as a staple in their faith, others see change as a positive influence. Innovation is reigniting their personal relationship with God.
As we learn and grow as a society, we are making space to love others as they are. This means learning about them, knowing them, and including them as they show up in our lives. In religious spaces, this looks like hiring women, non-binary people, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and BIPOC. We need to openly affirm and include all church members in sermons and events. We need to acknowledge everyone’s existence as a child of God made in His likeness.
In addition to our very complex and varying identities, we all have different ways of physically existing. This calls for different ways of accommodating our needs. Why have one-size-fits-all worship and messages when we’re so different? For help, we can look to Galileo Church in Fort Worth, TX. Known as a “quirky church for spiritual refugees,” they have quiet spaces, sensory libraries, alternative seating (think exercise balls or stationary bikes), and activities for worship spread throughout their space. Services are dimly lit, aisles are spacious, and chairs can be moved. They emphasize their dedication to making everyone comfortable in their space, especially if you’ve never been welcome anywhere else before.
In fact, exclusion in the church is not new. It has been ingrained in history since the pilgrims’ initial voyage to America. Anti-catholicism, for example, has permeated religious culture in depth. A 2010 article published in the Smithsonian found that law in “New York State’s constitution banned Catholics from public office … until 1806.” This phenomenon is seen again in history’s continual negative attitude towards immigrants and their interest in joining religious communities in America.
In low churches and denominations (those lacking many older traditions and symbols, e.g., Nondenominational spaces), though, it’s very easy to make a change. Simple vocabulary switches, furniture additions, and program edits make a world of difference. On the other hand, you might argue that a high church or denomination (one with tradition-heavy programming, e.g., an Episcopal space) must keep things the same. In this case, we can look to churches like Grace Episcopal Church in Waynesville, NC, for guidance. Instead of replacing their traditional programming, services, and dress, they added sensory worship bags, name tags, and sermon edits to make their community more welcoming and accessible.
Innovation within religious services creates a positive impact in a multitude of areas. A 2015 review of articles in the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience found connections between positive experiences in religious settings and better health outcomes. Knowing that religiosity is complex and sometimes difficult to navigate, we see that those within more affirming environments are more likely to grow within their religion instead of struggling or leaving their faith, as shown in the book, Religion in Sociological Perspectives. This research implies that by creating more positive experiences for more diverse groups, we can foster a healthier and happier population — one that can thrive within a community.
Time goes on, and so must we. As we rethink connection after the pandemic, it would serve our religious communities well to invest in their environments. By making a space that is welcoming and accommodating to all, it can change lives, change journeys, and change communities. This, to me, is the best way for the modern church to continue living up to its long-standing commandment: to love your neighbor as yourself.
