Churches go less formal to make people comfortable
Comfortable is a theme that's becoming common among churches taking advantage of new, non-traditional spaces. Across the country, churches are springing up in unexpected locations — movie theaters, skating rinks, strip malls and old warehouses, among others — in an effort to welcome people who may not feel comfortable in more traditional settings.
Aaron Coe, vice president for mobilization for the North America Missions Board, said there are several factors contributing to these new churches, including a move away from traditionalism and the economic advantages of leasing space instead of building a church.
"We've seen everything from art galleries to schools," he said. "Schools and movie theaters are probably the most common. There is definitely a trend, and I think it's one that's here to stay."...
Jim Lincoln wrote: dressing up like you're going to a funeral is not so honoring of God either? A person should be properly attired, but that doesn't mean a three-piece suit either.
People dress up not only for funerals, but also job interviews, court appearances, weddings, & courtship. Folks used to dress up even to travel. If you were invited as a guest to the White House or Buckingham Palace, what would you wear? If a Head of State is worth a suit & tie, how about the Creator of the Universe & Author of our Salvation?
Now it is true, clothes aren't everything, & vanity is sin, but I don't think one can therefore dismiss proper attire completely. There is a season for things, something modern man is forgetting.
Getting back to the article, I agree there's nothing important about the facility chosen, unless a carnal motive underlies it. And avoiding real-estate title entanglements is a good thing. Who ought to own church property? There are spiritual & secular complications; best to avoid this whenever possible.
Jim you are exactly right. Why do we think that getting all dressed up honors God. We should be clothed by our good works and seek to remove every stumbling block that would stand between God and men. I think in many ways our game of dress up has shut men out of the kingdom and made the poor feel less worthy of the gospel message.
Perhaps, dressing up like you're going to a funeral is not so honoring of God either? A person should be properly attired, but that doesn't mean a three-piece suit either.
James 2 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool," 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?---NASB
Drawing a crowd is not hard to do, but having a relationship so close to the Lord Jesus that the Holy Spirit will draw people to True Salvation is not.
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