Going to Church shouldn't be based on your likes or dislikes. How I feel about a Church should not be my criteria for going there.

If a Church is not teaching the Truth from God's Word you should be giving it a miss. It doesn't matter how lovely you think it is or how friendly or how nice the worship music is in that place.

If you can find a good Bible teaching Church that also fits your tastes then you are very fortunate.

Originally Posted by AudreyNicole

Hmmm... that would be one interpretation. But I suppose I was defining secular as something pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred. In other words a church building that looks no different from a retail building.

That is how I was defining secular also "pertaining to worldly things. The Christian religious institution is a worldly or man-made thing.

Originally Posted by MelodyC

Going to Church shouldn't be based on your likes or dislikes. How I feel about a Church should not be my criteria for going there.

If a Church is not teaching the Truth from God's Word you should be giving it a miss. It doesn't matter how lovely you think it is or how friendly or how nice the worship music is in that place.

If you can find a good Bible teaching Church that also fits your tastes then you are very fortunate.

Well I was actually just asking about architectural building styles of churches not about attendance. I was just wondering if people like new/modern church buildings. Like the actual structure and design of the building.... not the teaching or worshiping. Of course the teachings are important, but in this post and question I was just wondering about the literal building itself and what style building design people like, regardless of where they attend worship.

Originally Posted by jiggyfly

That is how I was defining secular also "pertaining to worldly things. The Christian religious institution is a worldly or man-made thing.

Yes then that would be correct. So do you like modern or traditional architecture in churches?

Originally Posted by Hekuran

I imagine if you received an architectural brief to build a church today, it would have a lot more mentions of "flexibility", "community", "openness", than it would "grandeur" and "transcendent".

Hmmm yes that is probably very true! I would still squeeze in a steeple and some stained glass and vaulted ceilings though

Originally Posted by AudreyNicole

Yes then that would be correct. So do you like modern or traditional architecture in churches?

Well I guess I prefer more traditional style of construction when it comes to buildings and homes.

As far as church buildings go, I really don't have a preference because I stopped participating in religious liturgical gatherings several years ago.

Originally Posted by AudreyNicole

Well I was actually just asking about architectural building styles of churches not about attendance. I was just wondering if people like new/modern church buildings. Like the actual structure and design of the building.... not the teaching or worshiping. Of course the teachings are important, but in this post and question I was just wondering about the literal building itself and what style building design people like, regardless of where they attend worship.

My apologies.

Originally Posted by MelodyC

My apologies.

No problemo... :)

Do you have a preference for church building architecture?

Originally Posted by AudreyNicole

No problemo... :)

Do you have a preference for church building architecture?

I'm not one for fancy Churches. Most of them actually depress me.

Spent many years meeting in halls and other public buildings where the Church I attended used to meet. It is only recently I moved to a suburban area where there are established Churches but the 2 I have attended locally are both modern, fairly plain (no organ) and very practical. Just the one stained glass window that was some sort of gift to the congregation in the one I attend at the moment.

I guess all I can say is I don't like Old drafty Church buildings that have little light and are very cold in winter. The lack of light make them look very gloomy inside. Practical is better.

I think its important to differentiate between churches and church buildings. Most of the world's churches don't meet in fancy church buildings; many don't meet in buildings of any kind - because of persecution, they are forced to meet secretly outdoors.

SLE