Most places of worship expensive and under utilized?

Question

How many feel that most churches and worship halls could be used more than once, twice, or three times a week to actually serve the community? Not all are like this but many only hold Sunday serrvice and maybe a Wednesday nite. The mortgagues are skyrocketing. Most have kitchens. I have thought this one out for a while and will be looking for solutions to present to the leaders of the various religions. I mean like phone service and hangout for the homeless that want to get back into society by becomming employed (this is a big problem).. Showers so that they could keep jobs. Perhaps serve a meal. Rent it out for meetings.This is question #1

Answer 1

The hypocracy is astonishing. The drive to build bigger and more ornate buildings seems to be born out of greed - let's get more people to come to our church. Or it could be that if churches decided to stop building such expensive buildings, many people would stop coming. Nowhere in the New Testament are Christians exhorted to build expensive buildings. However, there are numerous references to feeding, housing, and ministering to the poor. Instead of enormous Christian life centers and ornate sancuaries, why not a large, cinder block hall that could house the Sunday activities while at the same time serving as a soup kitchen/homeless shelter? This would be more in accordance with the Bible. Again, membership would probably decline. If God is capable of emotion, this must make God rather sad I would think.

Answer 2

just read the thing about smoking and drinking in church...boohoo, walk it off (look at the cathedrals in europe - like there's NEVER been cigarettes smoked there or alcohol drunk?)

No, seriously, a church is private property to be used as the owners (The Church, Inc) see fit. If they don't want to host events or rent the place out or use it to run a homeless shelter, that IS their prerogative (though I do, personally, question tax exemptions for church property - those churches get fires just like any other building).

Answer 3

There are some churches doing this with parachurch organizations such as PADS.
You could create your own organizatrion to achieve your dream for serving God in this way.

Answer 4

well - since the homeless have a history of not taking care of where they are - that's out the window

I think they may have it made, anyway, don't have to work

and our church rented out the sanctuary and fellowship hall for a wedding
they brought in liquor and smoked in the church, after they agreed not to

this is answer #1 - NO

Answer 5

I certainly think that churches ought to offer shelter for the homeless.... every night.!

Churches ought to be required to do this kind of thing to maintain their tax-free status.

I also think that public school gymnasiums ought to be used in the same way.

[][][] r u randy? [][][]
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POST SCRIPT to friendsh…: Serving gods is not on my agenda... I am, however, interested in serving needy people. Thanks for the idea.