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Christianity Today, October (Web-only), 2007 |

Too Many Churches?

Communities are feeling the squeeze of rapid church growth.

Amy Green, Religion News Service | posted 10/23/2007 08:54AM

Some neighbors tend to complain about too many Wal-Marts or too many strip joints in their midst. In southeast Orlando, it's too many churches.

About a dozen churches—Baptist, Nazarene, Pentecostal ...

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GS	Posted: October 24, 2007 9:57 AM

What a bummer. Folks heading out for a bagel on Sundays that run smack into a reminder of the priority of worshiping the creator and savior of the universe, the Lord God Almighty! I suggest that if Church congestion becomes the major problem of our communities as this article suggests, that we'll have a LOT less of the other more significant problems that plague us. Come on CT - please get your emphasis right and get back to calling out the benefits of seeking and serving the Lord, and stop sympathizing with those who simply can't get their bagels quickly enough.

Ray	Posted: October 24, 2007 9:48 AM

Supply and demand apply to churches too, because they have to have enough income to support the facilities and staff. If there are many churches in an area, then there must be enough people willing to support them. By and large, churches are good for a community. However, I have long felt that smaller churches ought to merge to create enough financial strength to have quality programs for their community. Often, I think, there are far too many store-front churches because there are too many individuals who feel called to the pastorate, but want to be the head man, rather than to work together in a staff situation. When it comes to the issue of the church and taxes, since churches use the city infrastructure (police, fire dept, etc.) they should pay for it. Ray

big mac

Posted: October 23, 2007 4:57 PM


has anyone ever tried putting macaroni and peas together...its is so delicious!

alanps

Posted: October 23, 2007 3:18 PM


Amazing story - we seem to have exactly the opposite problem here in the NE - discussion is around closing down Churches due to declining, near non-existent congregations!

Robert

Posted: October 23, 2007 1:04 PM

As a Christain zoning official, I sympathize all around. But I disagree that RLUIPA (the Religious Land Use . . .) exempts churches from zoning laws. The Act requires governement have a good reason for its regs, and accomplishes its goal in the least restrictive way. Practically speaking, a gov. also cannot single out religous motives in its regs, but it CAN enforce zoning regs where a religous group is the property owner/tenant. The broader issue is that congregations need to be good neighbors. RLUIPA shouldn't be an excuse for a lower standard. Ideally too the government is impartial, but sadly if authorities want to exercise hostility to a religous group, land use laws are about the most powerful punch they have. Many on both sides of the issue have abused their positions, but only one side is constrained to follow Jesus's example and teachings.

John	Posted: October 23, 2007 12:34 PM

"I find it fascinating that people will move into a housing development and … the first thing they want to do is stop any developments going in around them." As a native Floridian, I say AMEN and AMEN! Remarkable how the house YOU moved into when you moved here from New Jersey is not sprawl, but the Church across the street is. But anywhere a lot of building and growing churches is a sign of a healthy community. Traffic is the price you pay for growth my friends, as we here in the Sunshine State know all to well. If you don't like it, I-95 runs North too!

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