The Brooklyn Tabernacle Church Gospel
Most of you must have visited the Brooklyn Tabernacle, which is a multicultural, non-denominational church situated at 17 Smith Street, which is at the heart of the city of Brooklyn. Although it started off with just a handful of members in a rundown, small building located in one of the most difficult areas of the city, today, it has successfully become a congregation of more than 10000 people, who also attend the weekly services. The senior pastor of the church is Pastor Jim Cymbala. His wife, Carol, directs the Grammy Award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Pastor Cymbala, along with his wife, has had the privilege of preaching the gospel in the inner city and also witness new churches growing out of the congregation as a response to the needs in various parts of the city and the country.
Brooklyn Tabernacle History
It was during the year 1847 that the Brooklyn Tabernacle was established as the Central Presbyterian Church. During those times, it used the facilities of the First Presbyterian Church that was located at the corner of Pearl and Willoughby Street. Their first building was basically a frame tabernacle that was situated on the corner of Nevins Streets and State. It was established on the 3rd of April, 1853. However, the first tabernacle was damaged severely by fire in the year 1869. At the corner of Jefferson and Marcy came up the second Brooklyn Tabernacle, which was also destroyed completed by a severe thunderstorm in the year 1889. The third tabernacle was built at the corner of Greene Street and Clinton Avenue that had a seating capacity of around 6000 people. This tabernacle was also damaged badly by fire in the year 1894. However, it was rebuilt at the same location later.
In the year 1966, the church got renamed as Brooklyn Gospel Tabernacle by the pastor Clair D. Hutchins. It was during the autumn of 1971 that Pastor Cymbala and his wife took over the leadership of the church. By that time, the congregation had diminished to just 40 members, who used to meet at a rundown building on Brooklyn and Atlantic Avenue.
In the year 1980, the former Carlton Theater, located at 292 Flatbush Avenue, was purchased by Brooklyn Tabernacle. The 1383 seater theater was converted into a church. Several years of decline passed before the church got revitalized as a non-denominational congregation and became popular as the home of the award-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. The current name of Brooklyn Tabernacle was taken in the year 1984. The church remained at the old location until the year 2002, when it got shifted at the 17 Smith Street. It has a seating capacity of 3300 people.
The church is highly noted for its guests, sermons, and 6-time Grammy Award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. It was in the year 2013 during the second inauguration of Barack Obama when the choir sang “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. The choir itself is directed by Pastor Cymbala’s wife Carol Cymbala. The church has successfully held three 2 hour services every week. In the year 2017, the church had 10000 people.
Building
The present building of the church was redone completely by Kostow Greenwood Architects along with Robert Silman Associates. They simply gutted and renovated the old structure for modern worship. They also added state of the art acoustics, as well as, recording equipment. The 2 adjacent buildings were changed into classrooms, offices, dining facilities, and community service areas.
What They Believe
As far as the Bible is concerned, they believe in the verbal inerrancy and inspiration of the Scriptures, as well as, the authority of both the New and Old Testaments.
They also believe that God exists eternally in 3 Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are the one and the same God with the same attributes, nature, and perfections. They are worthy of the same worship, obedience, and reverence.
The church also believes that man was basically created in the image of the God, but ultimately sinned and fell through disobedience due to which the entire human race shares in man’s depraved and lost nature.
Due to the location of the church the Brooklyn Tabernacle has a unique access system to cater to the cross-cultural society of New York City. The church has members from different walks of life and from diverse national origins and ethnics. One of the primary causes of the growing popularity of the church is its strong emphasis on prayer through the Tuesday Night Prayer Meeting, as well as, the Prayer Band.
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