When What Is Sacred Is No Longer Sacred

For generations, churches have been understood as spaces set apart for the worship of God. Sanctuaries exist for one purpose: to glorify Him through prayer, preaching, and the faithful proclamation of the Gospel.

In today’s America, that understanding is no longer assumed.

Recently in St. Paul, Minnesota, a group of protesters entered a church during a Sunday worship service and intentionally disrupted the gathering. As the congregation had assembled to hear the Word preached and to worship together, chanting and confrontation overtook the sanctuary.

Families were shaken. The service came to a halt.

This did not take place outside the church. It happened inside the sanctuary, during worship. Reports indicate that parents and children were separated during the disruption.

When a church gathers, there is an expectation of respect for the house of God. It is proclaiming eternal truth. The preaching of the Gospel is not an invitation to interruption. It is a sacred calling.

What happened in St. Paul reflects a broader shift. Churches are no longer treated as places deserving of reverence. They are increasingly viewed as just another platform to challenge, disrupt, or silence.

The idea that worship should be left alone is fading.

When the proclamation of the Gospel can be interrupted without hesitation, it signals a loss of respect for what the church exists to do. Worship becomes collateral damage in cultural conflict.

At the National Center for Life and Liberty, we hear from pastors and ministry leaders facing this reality. They are not asking to be insulated from disagreement. They are asking for the space to faithfully preach the Gospel, shepherd their congregations, and gather for worship without intrusion.

The church exists for the glory of God. When that mission is disrupted, the harm runs deeper than inconvenience or offense.

What is sacred must be treated as sacred. When it is not, the consequences reach far beyond a single service or a single city.