Church Dinosaurs or New Creations?

This morning Bridge St. United Church will be filled with music as part of the Doors Open program in Belleville. Kudos to music director Terry Head and those who will join him in this initiative. We know that the acoustics in the expansive sanctuary are ideal for musical events and the atmosphere is remarkable. I have done roughly a dozen tours with family and friends since arriving as the lead minister for the Bridge St. congregation and it doesn't matter what the age of the persons walking through, all are struck by the beauty and the holiness of the sanctuary.

What are the long-term prospects of big, old church buildings in the heart of downtowns in towns and cities across the country? I was saddened to read yesterday about the sale of one of those structures in Hamilton. I would have known nothing about James St. Baptist Church except that last November I was MC for a fund-raising concert there. An excellent roster of musicians performed to raise funds so that my sister-in-law Martha could spend time in Africa with her daughter Rachel who was there with the Mennonite Central Committee. This James St. church building is vast, and lovely, and shabby. Now it has been purchased by developers and will be "re-purposed," although the new owners say that the structure will not be razed.

How long ago would this have been unthinkable for the James St. congregation? Ten years, or twenty? Obviously they attempted reinvention with an alternative worship group meeting there more recently. That congregation assures the public that they are not dead, but they are now meeting in another location.

I am convinced that there is still a need for downtown congregations and that it would be a tragic loss for all the architecturally magnificent buildings to be torn down or turned into condos. The Bridge St. sanctuary and the pipe organ are literally awe-inspiring. At the same time I know that God is not big on humans creating idols to replace true worship, including idols made of brick and stone.The bible tells me so.

The massive shift in the way and the where of worship is already well underway. I hope we can be adaptable in our purpose and sense of mission in Christ's name. If we aren't we may become dinosaurs -- brontochurchomemberus?

Read tomorrow about a "new creation" historic United Church.

What are your thoughts on this?