Why is the sermon given from the pulpit?

Answer 1

Pulpits in churches date from as far back as churches themselves. The problem with preaching a sermon to a large crowd is that, before microphones. amplifiers and speakers, the preacher had to make him-/herself heard just through the power of his/her own voice.

Outdoors this is often impossible unless the surrounding areas are good acoustically. For example, Jesus himself preached the Sermon on the Mount on a hillside by standing above the crowds so they could all see him and so that sound could carry in the still mountain air. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church often preached at Gwennap Pit, Cornwall, England, a natural basin in the rock which acted as a natural sound amplifier because of its unusual shape.

Indoors, in churches, the problem was less, but a large congregation wearing soft clothing can dampen and absorb sound, so raised platforms surrounded by a rail or parapet called pulpits were used to help a preacher be heard - nothing more. The pulpit therefore has no religious symbolism except that it stands above the people, and, in older versions, has a 'roof' whch is actually a sound board that reflects what the person s saying back to the congregation. Therefore, this primitive amplification device, and being able to see the preacher, helped congregations hear what was being preached.

Of course, as pulpits became a common part of church furniture, they became more elaborate, often made from beautifully and elaborately carved stove or wood and incorporated symbols and designs within the carvings. They developed bookrests on which the preacher could place his notes, were often decorated with a cross or crucifix, to remind the preacher he was preaching the word of God, had desk lights (or candles before electricity) attached to see the notes by and so on. Some even sported a small fireplace to keep the preacher warm (!) and even had hour-glasses (like a large egg-timer) so that when the sand ran through from one half to the other, it was an indication that the preacher should stop!

Nowadays, pulpits are less acoustically vital as many churches now have amplification systems installed. However, they still perform the function of letting the preacher be seen by more people as he is still raised above them. Most ancient pulpits in old churches are now regarded as rare works of art, and so, despite their not being such a necessity, are maintained and preserved for posterity as part of church history.

Answer 2

Usually a raised platform surrounded by rails or panels called a pulpit. Occasionally pulpits have a board placed horizontally above the head of the speaker that deflects sound towards the congregation.

However, in some churches, especially where PA systems are used, the minister might preach from anywhere within the church, stood on the floor, or from a lectern. Traditionally though, pulpits are used by most clergy as their raised position means they can be seen easily, even if the sound is taken care of by microphones and amplifiers.