Why John Calvin Locked the Church Doors

    The great Protestant Reformer John Calvin served as pastor of the St. Peter's church in Geneva from 1536-38 and again from 1541 until his death in 1564.  After Sunday morning services would end at the church, it was Calvin's custom to lock the doors to the buidling.  Why did he do so?  It was an act Calvin intended to carry weighty symbolism.  "Christians, having been fed and equipped, refeshed and nourished, are to be in the world, according to Calvin."  (Stephen Nichols, The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World; Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2007; p. 79.)  In other words, the church building is a place where, among other things, we build Christians up so that they are able to go out into the world and live and share the gospel, in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

    We used to have a sign posted at the exit to our church property that we need to replace, because it served the same end as Calvin's locking of the doors.  Just as people left our parking lot they would see this reminder: "You are now entering the mission field."  May the Lord help us to recover that sense, for his glory.