The pulpit is more than a platform—it’s a symbol of God’s truth being taught and lived. What matters most isn’t the platform a pastor stands on but the Word that is being taught from it.
The pulpit is a raised platform that symbolizes the authority and influence of God’s Word being faithfully taught and lived. As seen in the case of Ezra, standing on a raised platform helps the voice carry farther through a large crowd. More than that, though, a pulpit represents the authority with which the words are spoken (Nehemiah 8:4–5). Some ministers take standing in a pulpit too far—focusing more so on their perceived power than on the love that should be seasoning their words (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). We must remember that what matters more than a pulpit, or who is standing in it, is building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11–16) through preaching and teaching the very words of God (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Additionally, those in pastoral or similar roles must not just pastor when they are in the pulpit, but also outside of it (2 Timothy 4:2). Whether we are the one in the pulpit teaching or a listener in the congregation, we must be doers—not just hearers—of the Word (James 1:22).
The Bible does not command nor prohibit the use of a pulpit during worship. It does call for believers to meet together (Hebrews 10:25), for them to pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17), for them to examine Scripture (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:1–2, 15; 3:16–17; 4:2), and for them to encourage one another with spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19). Whether a church or its minister uses a pulpit is a matter of choice.
In the Christian tradition, many pulpits have been ornate wooden platforms raised far above the congregation and even included a canopy overhead to help the sound project down to the assembled people below. The ornateness was meant to highlight the importance of the words being spoken in contrast to the humbleness of the human speaking to them. In evangelical churches, the pulpit is often in the center of the stage, highlighting the centrality of teaching Scripture during their services. In Catholic churches, where the pulpit is called an ambo, the pulpit is often to the side because the altar, or Eucharist table, is the focus of the service. In some churches, like Quaker meetinghouses, there are no pulpits at all because the congregants are all supposed to minister to one another. In Jewish synagogues, this place of Scripture reading and teaching is called the bema (or bimah). In Islamic mosques, it is the minbar. Many religious traditions use a raised platform along with a surface upon which to place scripture or teaching notes.
Another way the word pulpit is used is to refer to the power, influence, or authority of the teaching spoken from there or the preachers, collectively, who stand behind one. So one might say, "The pulpit should not be used to peddle political influence," meaning pastors should not share their personal political opinions while preaching. Or one might hear, "Pastors should step out from behind the pulpit," meaning the pastor should be out in the community serving and sharing in the experiences of his congregation. Horace Greeley said, "Printer's ink is the great apostle of progress, whose pulpit is the press," meaning progress uses the press as a way to influence people the way preachers influence the hearts and minds of their congregations.
In summary, the word pulpit can refer figuratively to the authority of preachers and the influence of their sermons, or literally to the physical stand or lectern or entire raised platform or stage from which ministers preach. Whether the pastor speaking from a pulpit or any believer in daily life, we should always seek to know and speak the truth about God, be built up in Him, and love others (Ephesians 4:15; Acts 2:42; John 13:34–35).