Flag Protocol at the Church
14 Feb., 2013
Elders of WCC:
From time to time I have opined informally in a group or with persons privately on the subject of the flying of the two flags on the street in front of the church building on Locust Street. The subject will arise usually out of a context of discussing the general prophetic mission of the churches to the nations in which they reside, declaring Christ to be Lord of (and over) the nations. Such a discussion is brought to mind, for example, when I have walked in stilts with my Uncle Sam costume on the annual Day of Prayer. There, recruited by Wilmington Woman of the Year Belinda Cook to entertain the attendants as Uncle Sam, I annually carry the “Christian Flag” signifying the propriety of Uncle Sam placing himself under the flag which stands for Christ.
There are two principal Christian doctrines here: 1) that God Himself has ordained governments for the purpose of punishing evil and rewarding good (Romans 13); 2) that powers are not always authorized by God and may be resisted militarily by lesser or other magistrates on the basis of justice as defined by God’s word or non-militarily by individuals for conscience’ sake (Acts 4:19,20).
On the basis of these well-established doctrines regarding the Christian and the state, I have been and continue to be a Christian citizen who gives thanks for God’s provision of government in all realms: civil, ecclesiastical, and family. And yet I do not hold any authority to be infallible; rather that each is to be corrected by God’s word and that each is under His authority and power whether he recognizes his proper subordination or not. This fact of my patriotism is well established both by my own enrollment long ago in the U.S. Naval Academy, following the tradition of my father (class of 1951). It is further illustrated in my son’s graduation at my behest from the U.S. Air Force Academy, his success at the highest levels of soldiering and my daughter’s service to “the least of these” Americans in Child Protective Services in D.C. and now a special agent with the F.B.I.
However, I affirm that a Christian citizen as well as the church of his membership must make clear to the state that no civil authority is autonomous; that it is, rather, ordained by God to uphold Divine Law, God’s very standard, and to punish evil and reward good (Romans 13).
What then of the Church displaying its flag in the proximity of a state or national flag?
An inquiry into the history of “the Christian flag” (as the one flown by WCC) reveals that its origin is a mere 117 years ago. The idea was conceived Sunday School rally at Brighton Chapel in Coney Island, New York on September 26, 1897. Charles C. Overton thought of the need for such a thing as he preached about the American flag and produced the particular design as it is known today a week later. It has been adopted by Christians of all stripes and has spread to many other nations. There is some controversy about the placing of the Christian flag in relationship to other flags.
The handy internet ehow.com resource says (http://www.ehow.com/about_6591202_american-christian-flag-display-protocol.html) :
Onstage Inside a Worship Center:
According to the Flag Protocols, the American flag should take the position of preeminence on any stage. On the stage, it is the speaker or preacher who is considered to be “bearing the flag.” The American flag is presented to the speaker’s right side (audience’s left). The Christian flag is considered to be “junior” to the American flag and is displayed on the speaker’s left-hand side (audience’s right). Any other flags presented on stage—for example, the flags of the nations in which the church supports missionaries—should occupy the space behind the speaker or preacher.
Outside the Church
Outside the church, the building is considered to be “bearing” the flag, so the American flag should be on the building’s right side, facing out. The Christian flag should be on the building’s left, facing out. These two flags should never be on the same flagpole; they should be on separate poles. If the church has flags of other nations, the poles must not be taller than the pole on which the American flag flies.
Our government (perhaps informed by Christian theologians; perhaps not) advises as follows: The United States Navy holds that during the “Service of Divine Worship” led by the Fleet Chaplain, “a triangular Pennant of White with a blue Latin Cross is flown at the masthead above the American flag.”
The State of California:
Excerpted from Stars, Stripes and Statues, National Flag Foundation, p. 66, item 2. No flag or pennant shall be placed above, or if on the same level, to the right of, the United States flag, except flags flown during church services. (Bold type and italics added)
Almost 40 years after its creation, a controversy over the placing of the flag vis-à-vis the U.S. flag came to the fore. James Russell Pollock claims to have addressed the issue first at that time and determined to give the Christian flag preeminence and place it at the speaker’s right.
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