(ThyBlackMan.com) It goes without saying that you spend a lot of time at church. It’s one of the most important buildings you visit, and it deserves to be treated with respect. It is, after all, a house of God.
No one is saying that you need to combine the old Catholic decadence with modern living to have a beautiful church. Shrines, rubies and emeralds on cruciforms and velvet robes are, for the most part, a thing of the past. It is possible to walk the line between opulence and respect for a place of worship.
Most churches struggle for funds, so no one is suggesting
that you dip into savings for a few improvements. There are, however, a few inexpensive changes you could make to make the space more welcoming to any visitor.
Picture Bibles
You quite rightly likely want to expect children to grow up knowing the word of God directly from Bible quotations. What you have to balance is that, and making sure the message is getting through. For younger church-goers, a Bible complete with pictures can help explain the point better than archaic English can. A couple to be used as and when required will be a valuable contribution to any congregation.
Comfortable Seating
When you’re at church, your mind should be on the good book and the sermon of the preacher. If sitting on uncomfortable chairs distracts you from that, then it’s time to do something about it. While a little suffering never killed anyone, it can lessen an experience and distract from the message. This is particularly important if your congregation has a high number of ill or inform worshippers.
It doesn’t need to cost the earth to find the best church chairs. Something a little more hard-wearing can last for years to come, providing comfort for as long as is needed. Furthermore, if space is at a premium, a variety that can be stacked is helpful. For the bigger services around the feasts, you can add seating without having to give over space all year round.
Large Windows
They don’t have to be stained glass to make an impression. The larger the windows you can afford, the better. The impact of natural light on the human mind is well known; it’s overwhelmingly positive. The more exposure that people have, the happier they are going to be. Combine this with worship and you’ve done two jobs in one.
Furthermore, large windows can also save you money. Lighting costs can be extortionate for churches, so take advantage of the natural type using glass. It can also help to keep the inside space warm, and prevent the spread of mildew or other mold that may wish to invade.
A Decent Sound System
You don’t have to break the bank, but if your church uses a microphone, try and make sure it works. The horrendous screeching sound of badly tuned feedback is enough to make anyone wince, and will interrupt the point of being there. Conduct regular checks to ensure everything is working as it should be.
Staff Writer; Jerry Adams
