TAINED-GLASS WINDOWS have always fascinated me. Until I learned to build them myself, however, this fascination was somewhat abstract.

Working with stained glass has taught me a great deal, not just about the techniques, but about tools, materials, planning, and even myself. It also occurs to me that many spiritual analogies can be drawn from the process. In fact, I think the church is just like a stained-glass window.

Getting Started
Before beginning a project, the artist must decide what to make. The "what" determines the techniques and materials. In our churches the "what" is too often ignored. Without having the goal or purpose firmly in mind, we flounder in what we are able to accomplish for our members or community.

Next comes the design. This is critical, for a poor design results in a visually unappealing or structurally flawed product. Considerations are the location or area to be showcased, the size and shape of the window, the flow of lines, color preferences, and whether or not reinforcement will be required. An experienced designer knows the perfect balance of glass and lead, their strengths and weaknesses, the most complementary color combinations, and what will make a harmonious whole.

Our Creator, the Master Designer, also visualizes what is needed in each community. He knows the ideal combinations of spiritual gifts and personalities, and He seeks to make the church family strong, functional, and beautiful.

An artist has a wide variety of glass colors and textures from which to choose, including bevels and bevel clusters. Though generally without color, bevels are striking and elegant. Church families have members who are like bevels-people who have been through the considerable grinding and polishing of trying experiences, but who have survived the process to emerge resilient and tolerant. They catch the clear beams of God's love and redirect its light to others.

Glass differs in age, as well as in color and form. While modern glass tends to be consistent in thickness and texture, antique glass varies widely within a single sheet, often containing both appealing textures and flaws. Though more difficult to work with, it seems to have more "personality." The persevering glassworker will include the antiques, accepting the additional effort for the sake of the considerable reward.

Regrettably, older church members with their wealth of experience and practical ideas, are sometimes bypassed. The fact is, relationships take effort, honesty, and time, regardless of age considerations, and each age group has its own challenges and rewards. Whether young or old, we need to learn to understand and work with each other. After all, others may find us difficult on occasion too!

Natural Light Shining Through
Another quality of glass to be considered is clarity. Whether the artist is aiming for privacy or not, the beauty of a stained-glass window is revealed by natural light shining through. If the light source is artificial, the colors simply will not be as exquisite, rich, or true. Without light of any kind, the window could just as well be boarded over.

The beauty of a Christian's life is the result of nurturing a daily relationship with God and allowing His love to shine through to others. This is not something we can engineer or pretend. Once the design is completed and glass chosen it is time to cut the glass.

Glass is cut by breaking its surface tension with a "score"-essentially a deep scratch-then separating it along that score. The score must be continuous, and it must be exactly where the desired edge is to be. If it's a straight line, a single score will do. If the pattern calls for a curve, additional scores must be made, taking care not to cross the primary line. In this way, smaller pieces of glass can be broken away, one at a time, until the curve is revealed.

Just as an experienced glassworker knows how to cut curves and work with glass without destroying it, so God knows how to work with each of us. He knows our strengths; He knows our natural tendencies; He knows how we will react to life's experiences. He knows what will make us break. He also knows what shape would be ideal for each of us, for He has planned our exact position in the finished project.

Smoothing Edges, Securing Foundations
Cuts generally are not perfect, so the edges are touched up with a grinder. This removes jagged points and improves the fit, thus preventing future stress breaks.

Sometimes our lives have rough edges too. Perhaps we don't fit with others as well as we might. A jagged point may cause breaks in our character or damage others in the church. These are all things God knows, understands, and seeks to change. Though not a comfortable process, it's something we can safely leave in God's capable hands and emerge better fitted for His purposes.

As with any proper construction job, a solid foundation is essential. When building a stained-glass window, one assembles it on a sturdy piece of plywood cut larger than the design. Two narrow boards are nailed along two adjoining sides, usually at the top and left of the design, providing a rigid barrier against which to push and fit the glass and lead as it is assembled over the pattern.

Christ is the foundation of the church, the chief Cornerstone, with law and grace in perfect harmony to guide and protect us as we grow.

With Lead and Cement-Pulling Things Together
The glass pieces are assembled much like a jigsaw puzzle. Lead is stretched to strengthen and straighten it, then cut to fit along each side of the glass. The glass is then slotted into the channeled sides of the lead, leaving no visible edges.

The Word of God is like lead, forming a framework of principles, doctrines and commandments that unifies the unique pieces of the church family into a harmonious whole. God invites us to put the Word to the test, thus strengthening our belief in Him and enabling us to incorporate His principles into our lives.

Unlike a jigsaw puzzle, however, the separate pieces of glass and lead will not stay together without assistance. As each piece of glass is fitted, a horseshoe nail is tacked in beside the lead to hold it in place until the adjoining pieces of lead and glass are ready. These nails are inexpensive and unassuming, but the project would fall apart without them.

Likewise, never underestimate the importance of supporters whose humble service and gentle acceptance provide strength to those new or "weak" in the faith.

When the entire project is finally pieced and fitted, the lead joints are fused with solder, just as we are melded and fused into oneness through the Holy Spirit. The process may be painful, but without corporate surrender to the Holy Spirit, we will never be one.

At this stage, the window is still very fragile, wobbly, and easily destroyed, so cement is worked inside the lead channels, filling the spaces between lead and glass. Not only does this help with strength and rigidity; it also makes the window airtight.

Love is the cement in the church-love for God and love for each other. It holds us together and insulates against destructive influences. It keeps us warm and provides security and stability. It makes for a comfortable fit and keeps the pieces from grinding together.

Over time, especially in large windows, lead will sag. This tendency calls for reinforcement. Strips of metal rebar are soldered to the lead and extended across the window to fit into notches in the window framework. If carefully done by following the lines of the window design, the rebar will generally go unnoticed.

The church also has supports you may not think about. These are the salt-of-the-earth people in your congregation-the ones who quietly, steadily work behind the scenes, making sure the needs of the church are met. They may be folks who avoid up-front participation for whatever reason-but they are in attendance week after week, listening to others' joys and troubles, lifting others to God in prayer, and giving a helping hand whenever it is needed. They are such an unassuming part of the picture that they are often overlooked. Perhaps a word of appreciation for their dedication and faithfulness would ensure a "no-sag" condition in the congregation.

It is interesting to note the dependency between the glass and the lead. Without glass, there would be only a twisted mass of lead; without lead, there would be a useless pile of glass. Likewise, without the Word-principles, doctrines, commandments-to give order and structure in the church, members with their attractive personalities or abundant spiritual gifts, would become ineffective and nonfunctional. On the other hand, doctrine needs people to breathe into it warmth and power. People with love: that is the very essence of the Word, for without love all doctrine becomes deformed. Just as there can be no window without both lead and glass, there can be no functional church without the Word and people working together in love.

Working with stained glass has given me an understanding of the craft and a deep appreciation of the thought and skill that go into an exquisite creation. It leads me to believe that critical or intolerant attitudes are unlikely to trouble those actively engaged in contributing to their church's growth.

Building a church family is not a contest; it's a privilege. No matter who we are or what our gifts, there is a place for us-for you, for me-and no one else can fill it. When we feel unimportant or insignificant, let us think of the lead of the Word, the cement of love, and the support of each other. Then we can rejoice that God wants us to be a part of the beautiful whole, filtering His light into the lives of those around us.

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Barbara R. Murrin has professional experience as an educator (in music and business) and as an administrative assistant. Her hobbies are music, stained glass, and reading. She writes from Lacombe, Alberta, Canada.