He says that since the pulpit is part of the church liturgy, the higher the quality of its material, the stronger is its statement. Stone suggests permanence and power, Rausch says. Wood remains a perennial favorite for the construction of pulpits, whether they are solid-wood pieces of furniture, or made of sturdy plywood with an attractive veneer to match existing pulpit furniture or pews. A wooden pulpit can be bolted into place or set on casters for easy movement. It can include decorative molding or a trapdoor to hide speakers and light wires.
Some churches opt to keep the Bible visible on the pulpit and keep a small desk for notes.
Others frame the desk on the pulpit with tall sides to hide what's on it. Whether of wood or stone, pulpit can be simple or ornate. Some pulpit manufacturers offer pulpit moldings with images such as open Bibles, doves, eagles, or grapevines that can be factory installed to customer specifications. Rather, the wings are small side desks on which a preacher can set a Bible, books, or a glass of water. Pulpits vary in cost.