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From Nightclub to Church
From Nightclub to Church: This article by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer tells the story of how Mars Hill Church in Seattle turned a former nightclub into it's sixth campus. Go, Mars Hill!
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Comments (5)
"The new interior eschews traditional stained-glass windows and crosses for a mod-style orange-and-gray color scheme, with lime-green chairs and a downstairs espresso machine."
What's that about? Jesus never at any point "eschewed" the Cross. If we "eschew" the Cross for a "mod-style" interior design, then how can we be expected to embrace and defend all that the Cross represents in other areas in our lives where it is not only not stylish, but not conducive to our safety, our comfort; or that of our children, family, homes, property, or anything we care about?
Jesus never "eschewed" the Cross because it didn't fit in or match up with the "hip" image of establishments that people were drawn to.
Honestly, this just really bothers me.
Posted by Nicole T. | April 1, 2008 10:03 PM
Nicole,
Please note that this is an article in a secular newspaper. What it says about the decorating isn't a statement about the church's doctrinal position. Wouldn't you agree that having a cross in the interior of a building doesn't make a church cross-centered and not having one doesn't mean it isn't? I think Mars HIll has a very solid commitment to the doctrine of the atonement and the importance of the work of Christ on the cross. Just because the reporter used that description doesn't change that fact. Hope that helps.
Joshua
Posted by Joshua Harris | April 1, 2008 10:47 PM
Here is a further twist: "Between Saturday night and Sunday evening, the former St. Elizabeth Church in the Strip District transforms like a theater set between acts -- from The Altar Bar nightclub to the Steel City Church."
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06256/721297-51.stm
So this is a former church building that was converted to a night club, that is rented out to be used for a church meeting.
Posted by John Quinisk | April 2, 2008 12:56 AM
Josh,
Thanks for responding to my concern about this. I agree with you that displaying a Cross or not displaying a Cross has no bearing on the true, inner stance of a church. It's like merely calling oneself a Christian has no bearing on the heart of the person. It wasn't the mere absence of crosses being mentioned that bothered me. It was the wording. While I believe that churches aren't required to display the Cross to embrace it, I believe that 'eschewing' -- defined in my dictionary: "To shun, avoid, abstain from (as something wrong, inappropriate, or distasteful) -- the Cross in any form grieves God's Heart deeply.
I was considering a church I attended for several years that removed the Cross from behind the alter and of the many Unitarian churches that actually won't display the Cross in their churches because they feel that it might offend people. I really took it that the Cross was being 'eschewed,' perhaps to make way for something more "modern."
Thanks for reminding me that it is a secular article. I really don't know the heart or the intent behind the way they have "decorated" their church, and I assume neither did the reporter. And anyway, I believe we ALL need to be more Cross-centered in our walk with Christ.
Thanks for attempting to clarify!
Posted by Nicole T. | April 2, 2008 2:34 AM
John,
I'm not sure exactly what to say about the article you posted. What do you think of it? I think it's good, essentially, to go into a dirty, filthy, sinful place and transform it into a temple of worship unto God (isn't that what God does with us when we ask Him into our hearts?), but what do you think of a place turned into a house of God still voluntarily and openly housing alcohol, etc. and, before and after worship, being used for despicable and sinful acts? I keep thinking about Jesus driving the money changers out of the temple. If we open a place as a temple unto God, are we then not responsible for what goes on in it? Are we not called to have the same zeal that Jesus had for His Father's house for the Church today? I'm not at all trying to argue or start any trouble. I'm just bothered in my spirit and I want to know if you are too, and if you're not, why not and how you feel. Would you mind sharing?
Posted by Nicole T. | April 2, 2008 3:07 AM