This page was created by Craig Dietrich.
Standards of Living
All Peace Mission properties, and living quarters, were spiritualized through their cleanliness (See 16-17 February 1950 message; printed in The New Day 16 April 1983:5) and safety and marked by their ubiquitous adornment with framed photos of Father and Mother Divine and mottos of the Mission in every room. Such preparations marked a building's dedication and consecration to the service of God. Properties with Banquet Rooms still stand prepared with clean plates, glasses, and silverware for a Service, always with the expectation of Father's personal presence and with the belief in Father Divine's spiritual presence. Father Divine maintained offices in all major church properties, and he would unexpectedly arrive at these extensions to visit with staff. Large properties were important, but Divine acknowledged the spiritual significance of followers' domestic environments as well. In the same November sermon, he proclaimed:
I ABUNDANTLY and BOUNTIFULLY BLESS YOU ALL ”" causing your homes as selected and purchased and owned, to no longer be houses as they have been, of VICE and Crime and SIN, but DEDICATED as HOUSES of PRAYER, where you in your own Homes will be able to WORSHIP GOD under your own Vine and Fig Tree where no man can make you ashamed!...I AM causing every Home, at least, I shall cause every home to be as a CHURCH! Aren't you glad!..To be a CHURCH for PRAISE and WORSHIP, where you WORSHIP GOD by DAY and by NIGHT in all you SAY and in all you DO! (22-23 November 1945, printed in The New Day 30 November 1991:3)