Pictures of Lifefield

I was pleased to inspect Life Church, Lichfield, late this summer. This was originally an Assemblies of God Pentecostal church, but is now part of Pioneer, a charismatic outfit founded by Gerald Coates. It is the largest Christian gathering in the city, and seems to enjoy good relations with other denominations. Architecturally, it is not my favourite, especially as later that day we were calling at Lichfield Cathedral, one of the finest buildings in the entire country. Its flat roofs and unadorned brick are not beautiful, but the building is certainly more than functional. Better, of course, to preach a beautiful gospel in a plain cotton smock than whisper nonsense and falsehoods in silks and satins. The church has grown much in the last decades, and now attracts 200-300 people each week. The inside worship room is complimented by what is called the sports hall, which seems to be used for refreshments and others activities rather than just playing sport.

I was attracted to some rather interesting paintings or murals about its walls. The quality and palettes varied, for they were executed by various folk within the church. Our guide, the church’s Senior Minister, an energetic and engaging man, made a couple of amusing observations while admiring the rather Biblical tone which the murals lent the room.

There is a perennial danger that every Christian, every minister and every church must face: drifting from God’s word. There at Lichfield are two-dozen or so reminders of the vital scriptural record. Although my inherent Protestantism makes me naturally inclined to be wary of religious art in sacred places, the ignorance of scripture and its lively oracles seems to be an even greater threat in our time.