Northside Church’s back-to-school worship series was titled Sight Words. We explored sacred terms inspired by historic Christian worship, including nave.  

The nave is the main part of the sanctuary where the congregation worships. It comes from the Latin term, navis, which means ship. It gives us the English word, navy. A ship was an early symbol of the Christian church with several origins and meanings.

The church is the ship of salvation, safely bearing God’s people through earthly turmoil to heavenly reward. Traditional images depict Saint Peter at the helm, and a ship is one of the symbols associated with the Big Fisherman. 

Church architecture evolved over the centuries. Some churches designed their sanctuaries to resemble ships. The Northside Church sanctuary was inspired by the neo-Gothic tradition. The arched, wooden ceiling resembles a ship’s hull and keel. 

Ship imagery also recalls the story of Noah’s Ark, which is reflected in sacred architecture and theology. The church as refuge provides protection from the world’s watery chaos.

The church is a sanctuary of worship and safety; but Christians are in the Search and Rescue business, too. The Holy Spirit calls us to seek the lost and to rescue the perishing. We launch into turbulent waters to join God in ministry.

Nave: The Latin word that we didn’t know that we needed to know.