During the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries, megachurches began to appear that looked more like office buildings or health spas than traditional churches. As a result, instead of baptistries and choir lofts dominating the front of the worship area, there are huge screens for videos, for displaying lyrics to songs and even for PowerPoint presentations during sermons. A pulpit with fancy scrollwork would look out of place, so many modern churches are going to a simple glass podium, or a black or gray trifold podium (with wings) that church staff can roll in and out as needed.
The wooden pulpit, with a simple cross on the front and simple scrollwork along the top and sides, has been a staple for smaller churches, particularly country churches, for the past two centuries. These can be flanked with small wings or shelves sticking out on each side, or can just stand alone. Commonly the communion table stands in front of this pulpit.
These pulpits are designed to create the feel of a medieval church. Instead of a simple block of wood, these support the top with columns or pilasters, either with a very plain molding or intricate scrollwork, depending on the aesthetic of the congregation.
These pulpits are designed to capture the attention of the congregtion, which may or may not fit your congregation's view of the priority of worship. Grand pulpits are seen in rounded shapes or can resemble triptychs with icons or other ornamentation on the front, adorning the cross.