For those of you who attend Church...other than the actual Service itself, what do you look for in the physical structure? Things like decor, style of furnishings, amenities....what adds to your worship experience in terms of the building? For example, what do you think about a waterfall in a Church building that is incorporated into a functional baptistry? Would that add or subtract from your worship and receiving the Word?
2007-03-30 19:42:20 · 14 answers · asked by wd 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That sounds very nice. Anything that is scriptural or in the spirit of scripture, that inspires one to holiness, to holy remembrance, to contemplating the creator, to high ideals of obedience, to compunction.Flowing water is very beautiful and leads ones thoughts to the Fountain of living waters and the washing away of our sins.
Jer 1
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
2007-03-30 19:46:16 · answer #1 · answered by Socinian F 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our priest put an outdoor cement "waterfall" in our new church, and then stuck artificial plants around. What a mess and the older people near the back of the church have complained for 3 years and they can barely get through a service as the sound of the water makes them need to pee. After the priest bought it with church funds, then a parishioner paid the church back, and considered it a memorial for his deceased wife, whom we all loved. So now we are stuck with this god-awful thing in a beautiful new building, with all new stained glass windows and finally nice seating. Yes, and sometimes it leaks, too.
Stick to the professionally made baptisteries, the companies know what they are doing, and they will be functional for hundreds of years!
The decor, style, amenities of the church do bring in, or chase away many people. A good sound system may be important also in a larger church, as is music to some people. We have dozens of denominations, hundreds of styles of worship, and millions of parishioners (none being the same as another). So you can't please everyone all the time.
2007-03-30 19:55:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a waterfall would be nice, and I'd like to see a McDonalds with good take out service so you can get lunch quick after the service is over. Also, I think an indoor swimming pool would be good, for exercise, they can do baptisms in the waterfall area.
a small convenience store would be good as well.
do away with passing the basket. just give the people an internet address and they can give secretly on line if they desire.
2007-03-30 20:02:57 · answer #3 · answered by Annmaree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Truthfully I am not all that bothered about the building, though of course it is nice to be comfortable.
I have been to countries like Albania etc and have been in meetings in 'buildings' that are nothing more than barns or sheds, but the presence of God has been awesome.
So for me the main thing is God's presence, whether in a palace or a plain shed.
I must admit I struggle with the concept of a grand and glorious building of much expense when the money could be put to better use.
JB
2007-03-30 19:57:54 · answer #4 · answered by J B 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
For attending meetings of Spiritual instruction, I much prefer a very simple decor. Nothing eyecatching, or distracting. Good sound. Seating that is easy to get in & out of. And, easy to keep clean. You see, our smaller book study groups take turns keeping our Hall clean, both inside & out. Also, where necessary, it should have adequate heating/air conditioning, and parking, including special spaces for the disabled. Maintenance should be relatively easy, as this too is done by us ourselves. All in all, it should have a neat & pleasant appearance, without causing undue work for us. The main thing is that we can all concentrate fully on what the speaker is saying --while we follow along in our own Bibles-- without distraction, & without trouble hearing. Ease of access is a Plus, also. These are the things we strive for in our Kingdom Halls --whatever they happen to be made of, & wherever they are-- world wide.
http://www.watchtower.org/statistics/worldwide_report.htm
2007-03-30 20:55:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is the reason I choose to remain Catholic. No other church gives the statues and or paintings of saints to look at. It just makes the whole experience all more interesting and the older catholic churches even create a comforting sanctuary for those who are troubled.
2007-03-30 19:47:25 · answer #6 · answered by RexD 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Natures bounty is the best source of the mediums. Buildings represents the holiness of the entities and not necessarily about God that being worshiped.
2007-03-30 19:48:32 · answer #7 · answered by wacky_racer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they go much beyond nave, alter, etc, and branch out in to gym, daycare, and so on, they are nothing but profit machines.
As to style, I prefer gothic. I like modern architecture, but for church it is crap.
2007-03-30 19:48:58 · answer #8 · answered by Zarathustra 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be somewhat distracting. I don't seek out a pretty church, I try and find a church with a good leader.
2007-03-30 19:47:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never really been in one but I like gothic looks. I am a bit of a romantic.
2007-03-30 20:31:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋