churches in shopping malls

[M]

I just read an article that proposes that churches sell their decaying and expensive historical church buildings to be made into condos.  Then with the money they could rent out space in shopping malls or movie theatres.  

What do you think?   Good, bad idea?

[JudgeNot]

The group I worship with meets in a strip mall.  It's actually pretty common around these parts (Nor-Cal) - I know of at least two other mall-based services in my general area.  I think it's a GREAT idea - I mean - all we wish for is a place out of the rain, with room for the pastor to stand and teach and plenty of electrical outlets for the band!  

[Tibby]

Yeah, it was common in DC, too. It is cheap and easy. We have a lot of friends who pastor church in shopping malls, and hotel meeting rooms, and stuff like that. Me personally, I'm against them, when money and space allowes it. I understand some churches don't have the money for fansy building, but I think Gods house should be set apart, should be different. It should not resymble the world, but the kingdom of Heaven.

[Evangelist]

Couldn't be any worse than having a shopping mall in the church.........could it?  

[JudgeNot]

Couldn't be any worse than having a shopping mall in the church.........could it?

He-he-he-he.  We got more commedians on this site than a dog has fleas.
   

God Bless,
JN

[Shammu]

Couldn't be any worse than having a shopping mall in the church.........could it?

He-he-he-he.  We got more commedians on this site than a dog has fleas.
   

God Bless,
JN

Well JudgeNot, I guess you would know.

[GodWarrior]

My church rents out space in a old farmers market.

[Tibby]

Couldn't be any worse than having a shopping mall in the church.........could it?

He-he-he-he.  We got more commedians on this site than a dog has fleas.
   

Who's joking? Have you been to some of the bookstores these church have!?

[eddiefied]

Churches in strip malls, what a great idea! Now I can have a donut from Krispy Kreme, get some Starbuck's coffee,go to church,rent a movie from Blockbuster, pick up my dry cleaning,get my haircut at Supercuts, buy a sandwich from Subway and get a Slushee from 7-11 without ever leaving the parking lot! Looks like I'll be home by 10:30 am on Sundays from now on! I can't wait.

[ollie]

Yeah, it was common in DC, too. It is cheap and easy. We have a lot of friends who pastor church in shopping malls, and hotel meeting rooms, and stuff like that. Me personally, I'm against them, when money and space allowes it. I understand some churches don't have the money for fansy building, but I think Gods house should be set apart, should be different. It should not resymble the world, but the kingdom of Heaven.

"It should not resymble the world, but the kingdom of Heaven."

How could any man made edifice resemble the kingdom of heaven?

ollie

[ollie]

Churches in strip malls, what a great idea! Now I can have a donut from Krispy Kreme, get some Starbuck's coffee,go to church,rent a movie from Blockbuster, pick up my dry cleaning,get my haircut at Supercuts, buy a sandwich from Subway and get a Slushee from 7-11 without ever leaving the parking lot! Looks like I'll be home by 10:30 am on Sundays from now on! I can't wait.

Churches assembling in empty store rooms has probably been going on since the day of pentacost AD33. I know it has been a happening all through my lifetime.

ollie

[jgarden]

Jesus and his disciples went to where the people were, not sit back and wait for them to come to them.

[Tibby]

"It should not resymble the world, but the kingdom of Heaven."

How could any man made edifice resemble the kingdom of heaven?

ollie

I don't know, but Moses did a pretty good job.

Jesus and his disciples went to where the people were, not sit back and wait for them to come to them.

Yes, as we should go out, doesn't mean we can't have a space set apart as well.

[2nd Timothy]

<sigh>

Come on guys!   Some of the silliest arguments come up on this forum.         Where ever brothers and sisters gather to worship, is Church.    

I've been to church in many many places....from the middle of sugar cane fields in shanty's with the floor made of cow dung, and roof made out of tin, to private homes, as well as beautiful buildings that were breath taking....and God was in our midst and the same in each.

Mat 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.


Grace and Peace!

[nChrist]

2nd Timothy,

Amen Brother! Most of you know that my dad was a preacher for over 60 years before he passed away. Part of his early ministry was as a circuit preacher for communities and groups that didn't have a preacher. SO, there were services on street corners, tents, fields, under trees, schools, private homes, and just about you name it. Some of the structures had electricity, running water, and indoor restrooms, but many didn't. Dad had several extra large car batteries in the trunk of his car and a sound system that would run from the car. All he had to do is leave the car running and everything worked fine.      I'm completely serious. Many of the groups and communities were very poor, but you don't have to be rich or have a fancy place to worship God.

Most of the people I really liked and still remember from his early ministry were hard working country folks who had very little. I'm positive that Jesus was present for the services.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 130:5  I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.