Pros and cons of church services in theaters

posted by Michael Zoldessy on July 20, 2009 at 7:40 am

The rise in churches relocating services to theaters has led to better attendance but not necessarily moving organizations in the best direction.

Congregation members eat popcorn and drink soda while worshipping. The offering is collected in popcorn buckets. “Sunday best” is often sneakers, jeans and an untucked T-shirt. Song lyrics and movie clips that illustrate sermon points flash across the large screen. (And during normal theater hours, church ads are included in the movie previews.)

However, Pastor Steve Kelly of Wave Church in Virginia said staying in a movie theater sends a certain message to the community. “The moment you define yourself as ‘We’re just going to rent this facility,’ you’re saying that you’re not necessarily here to stay,” he said.

Read more at CNN.