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....ANY church building you wished....what would it look like? Would it be large, or small? Would it be lavish and grand, or plain looking? Would it have a $500,000 steam organ, or a $500 re-cycled old piano from the 2nd hand store? Would the windows be tall and wonderfully tinted and colored? Would there be crystal chandaliers? Would the pews be covered in velvet, or plain wood? Would there be fine granite and marble stonework? Should there be red carpet going down the aisle? Should the choir be fully equipped with musical instruments? Should even the ushers have uniforms, or all the same suits? Would there be a TV crew in the back, filming the service for later broadcast? Does it all matter? What churches have you visited that were most impressive to you? Why?
The church building that meant the most to me is now long gone...a faint distant childhood memory...an old Methodist church. It burned to the ground many years ago. It was a typical wooden frame structure, with tall steeple, and tall windows, built by hand in the 1930's...but it had that "atmosphere" about it that was holyness, goodness, purity...kinda hard to explain...I took the loss hard...
Just dreaming...
PS: It matters to me more what the people are like, rather than the building...
PS: It matters to me more what the people are like, rather than the building...
My thoughts EXACTLY!!!! I really don't care what the building looks like so much. I do like stained glass, this is one of my talents, so I could help with that part. I even go to churches just to check out the glass!!
I really sit in awe at some of the cathedrals we have here in the Northeast. The craftsmanship and work that went into them is sometimes simply stunning...
I'm Episcopalian and our faith is very aesthetic. Our churches and cathedrals are among the grandest in the world. I don't need to imagine what my church building would look like. It exists as Trinity Church in Boston, MA. Attending Mass there was very inspirational to me!
It's definitely about the people...not the church! They say you can't judge a book by it's cover, which is so true in many cases with a church. However, there is a very fine line you have to look for in a church...I am learning this very well.
There are very large churches with very large congregations and seems nothing more than a "social gathering". There are very small, less appealing, churches with few great worshipers. However, one must also look at why a church is so small and never seems to grow. A truly EFFECTIVE church would reap and grow by leaps and bounds.
I used to think our church was just an unfortunate victim of circumstance. I have come to learn, though, that our church just doesn't have what it takes to grab an audience. We have been in our church for over 5 years now and have seen people come ONCE (maybe twice) and never be seen again. I've seen more leave than join.
In short, I guess what I am trying to say is that a small little shack can be a wonderful church...But if the congregation is (and remains) SMALL one must question "WHY?".
I know it's true that the path is narrow, but it's pretty narrow minded to think that because one's church is small that means they're the only right ones. lol
Last edited by kawgpz550; 02-22-2008 at 08:55 AM..
Reason: added content
The best church I ever attended actually met in an old church building that had been used by another church previously. I can't tell you much about the building itself - except that it had stained glass windows and pews.
It was the church I accepted Jesus in.
The songs we sang were simple Jesus songs... it truly was a "come as you are" church. All were welcome. It didn't matter who you were, what you looked like or how you might smell.
The people were sincere and it was apparent.
There was no confusion... the peace of God was there. It was easy to recognize the "Spirit of Truth" in that place.
It had very little to do with the building.
If only you knew how many times I've wished I could go back to that place and time in my life over the past 30 years. God knows.
(BudinAK, Don't get me wrong. I'm sorry for your lost church building. It sounds like your church had built a special place with and you have many wonderful memories !)
Last edited by World Citizen; 02-22-2008 at 09:57 AM..
Mine would be on a high mountain with a view for miles, and a little palm covered, open sided cabana to shelter during rainstorms. On grand Island in my backyard. With a cascading water fall in the distance, dropping into a crystal clear pool.
The Church Building Would Be Gothic And Have A Large Steeple.The Windows Would Be Colorful.There Would Be A Lot Of Art That Depicts The Lord And His Work.It Would Be Away From Congestion, A New Mount Of Olives.The Inside Would Be Full Of Sheep Who Wanted To Follow Their Shepard...
but if i HAVE to have a building...small, intimate, and beautiful stained glass!
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