Do you feel that a church paking lot is a public space?

Question

Many nearby shoppers use our church parking lot on Sunday as public parking, taking up space that are for church goers.
When confronted, shoppers say the church is for every one, they should be allow to use it the same as members, what do you say?

Thank you for all your answer, most of you are very reasonable people, good job. Surely as a church goer, we do not want to create conflict in the community, and do understand people has a need. It is only upsetting is when people do not realized that the church and parking lot, are contribution by members of the church, and they do have the priority to use the parkings. I chosen the answer that really speak our hearts, and there is a saying, "there are rules, and there are exceptions."

Answer 1

On the one hand, you don't want to cause hard feelings for people who might eventually show interest in coming to church, even if they don't live in the church's boundaries. On the other hand, there are often families and people who need to park close to doors to buildings because of health reasons (my grandma and my father might be two of those individuals). If it were me, I would put up a sign that says, "Visitors welcome to come to church meetings and introduce yourselves." Then have someone out in the parking lot being very friendly and greeting people who come and inviting them in, and if they say, "Oh, I just came to park to go shopping," then let them very gently know that you have church members with handicaps and small children (if it is indeed the case) who need to use the parking spaces, but they are more than welcome to use the parking lot during the week on weekdays. You might also want to explain that your church members pay tithing and contribute by volunteer service to keeping the church grounds and parking lot clean. That way, you cover all bases.

Answer 2

I think the church parking lot on Sunday as public parking, should be for church goers only, for one day a week isn't a lot to ask surely.....
The church parking lot is the property of the church after all.

Answer 3

Turn the other cheek. Get there early so you can get a space. Tell the grocery store to build more parking, but don't take it out on the shoppers.

Do you have a sign that says the parking is for the church only?

Answer 4

Actually the church is considered a not-for-profit business thus making the parking lot private property, no different than the parking lot at the grocery store. Have them towed or put up signs.

As for the first responder, you're an idiot, church funding is from their attendants not from the government. The only help they get from the government is the tax cut.

Answer 5

The laws of a given community would be the determining factor as to who is right and who is wrong..

Look up the laws for your given community and find out... If appropriate bring up the idea of posting signs stating "Parking for church goers only, violators will be towed at the owners expense" along with the correct law codes.

What I think doesn't matter the only thing that matters is the law and determining who is right and how to solve the problem before the confrontations you speak of escalate...

Answer 6

Parling lots owned by the church is private in nature. It is a private lot owned by the church which is not open to the public. If you want to avoid the parking , fence the entire area of the church and of course with a gate. Put on the gate, not for parking, for church goers only. and I believ e this will help.
jtm

Answer 7

The church parking lot is the property of the church. I would put up a sign saying church parking only. Check with the local police to see if you can have them tagged and towed if it is violated.

Answer 8

A church is considered private property, right? So why isn't the parking lot? You should put up signs so that it is posted and you can have cars towed at the owner's expense. A few of those should do the trick.

Answer 9

No. A church parking lot should be considered private property as long as the land is owned by the church.

Answer 10

To me a public place is where realatives and non related people of all kinds go for one purpose, and they end up going to the same place... However it is anoying to go to a place that indeed is a public place to me (like a church) and they only use the parking lot, and then I have to park way down the street, because someone who didn't have to use the parking lot used it, simply for what is nice for them, but puts me way out of the way, to allow that simple little luxury. If you want to go to church, go... but please don't use it up. Yes I do think it is a public place, but at the same time, I think that people shouldn't have to be put out, for the convienance of the people who do that. It is selfish, and I know I don't appreciate it... but it certainly is something that people can debate.