Pews vs Chairs

[go2church]

I prefer pews but they are so expensive and aren't very versatile. The one. The one new building I've built went with nice chairs instead of pews mostly due to the cost.

When we remodeled current church we looked at replacing the pe s but most everyone thought the pews looked more like church, so we had new cushions made for the old pews.

 

[Gina B]

From a cleaning standpoint, chairs are nice. They also allow the sanctuary to be partially emptied out or rearranged for special events.

From a comfort standpoint, I like pews. I go early and sit at the end. It offers the ability to adjust, curl or straighten legs, and other stuff, which is good for back pain. It also feels slightly more private. I can slip off my shoes and no matter how the people in front twist, they cannot see the feet behind them to pinpoint the stinky feet.

 

[wpe3bql]

It also feels slightly more private. I can slip off my shoes and no matter how the people in front twist, they cannot see the feet behind them to pinpoint the stinky feet.

Can y'all say, "WAY two mucha that T M I!!!! :smilewinkgrin:

The church of which I'm a member (22 years now) ( www.lighthouseministries.org )has padded pews in its principal auditorium, but four of our other buildings (which are used to house our Ethiopian and our Korean congregations + AWANAs + a cafeteria + our Elementary school facilities) do have areas which can (& are) capable of using chairs.

 

[go2church]

My father-in-law pastored a church in Maine that still had those little doors on the pews. There were records of members paying to sit in the front pews. This is how the church was supported the church, didn't take offerings like today. They actually had their own pew!

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Velvet pew cushions lead to card playing, drinking hard liqueur, going to the motion picture THE-ater and soft Christians. :wavey:

It's the red crushed velvet. Awful stuff. You can't unleaven your loaf.

 

[righteousdude2]

I was wondering how many folks would come to a church that only had a floor to sit on? That's right ... remove the pews and chairs and would your congregation be willing to sit on the floor and worship, and more importantly come back week after week?

I heard of a church that replaced the pews with recliners. No, I couldn't find it on line, sorry, but that is what I heard. Now that is living large! :laugh:

 

[HeDied4U]

Church Chair Cup / Drink Holder.....




:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
​

 

[annsni]

I was wondering how many folks would come to a church that only had a floor to sit on? That's right ... remove the pews and chairs and would your congregation be willing to sit on the floor and worship, and more importantly come back week after week?

I could absolutely do it and at camp, I will often be sitting on the floor for worship (or a log or a rock or whatever). BUT there are people who just can't handle this and even in very remote cultures, a rock or log would be used to help the elderly and infirmed sit.

 

[Salty]

I personally prefer chairs but in an old church, pews are beautiful! .... Our third campus is a 150 year old church and we will NEVER remove those pews!! They are gorgeous!

Ann, yesterday, Mrs Salty and I visted the church in which we were married. The building is over 100 years old, has beautiful stained windows, ect.
Well, about 3 months ago - they got rid of the pews and replaced them with chairs! In addition there are several cafe type tables. Mrs Salty said "Such a disappoitment" She also said pews give more of a reverence attitude. Seeing people sitting around the table- some with beverages -......
I wont even get into about the message. I agre with Mrs. Salty when she said it was more like we were in a college philosophy class. We were trying to think if Joel Osteen used more scripture than the preacher did yesterday.

 

[annsni]

Ann, yesterday, Mrs Salty and I visted the church in which we were married. The building is over 100 years old, has beautiful stained windows, ect.
Well, about 3 months ago - they got rid of the pews and replaced them with chairs! In addition there are several cafe type tables. Mrs Salty said "Such a disappoitment" She also said pews give more of a reverence attitude. Seeing people sitting around the table- some with beverages -......
I wont even get into about the message. I agre with Mrs. Salty when she said it was more like we were in a college philosophy class. We were trying to think if Joel Osteen used more scripture than the preacher did yesterday.

How sad and ICK about the message!! I think if a church is an older, obviously pew-style church, keep the pews!! They look beautiful!! But cafe tables in the sanctuary? Umm - I don't think so!

 

[Deacon]

I was wondering how many folks would come to a church that only had a floor to sit on? That's right ... remove the pews and chairs and would your congregation be willing to sit on the floor and worship, and more importantly come back week after week?

My church supports a missionary in eastern Africa who travels a few hours every other month to visit a native pastor who serves a small congregation.

Members often walk a few hours to their church that has chairs (and sometimes no walls), no air conditioning, no refreshments (except what they bring), and no internet connection (no electricity).

We fully support the local pastor for about $200/month and he works a side job as a bee-keeper to make ends meet.

Even the apostle Paul visited churches where people sat in window sills.

We've got things very, very good here in the U.S.

Rob

 

[SaggyWoman]

I personally prefer a place to sit.

 

[JonC]

I personally prefer a place to sit.

I agree. All that standing in a worship service is poor stewardship of purchased places to sit.

 

[SaggyWoman]

I agree. All that standing in a worship service is poor stewardship of purchased places to sit.

I didn't say I was going to sit on anything purchased. I can bring my own.

 

[wpe3bql]

I didn't say I was going to sit on anything purchased. I can bring my own.

That's what we did for Easter Sunrise service in 2003.

Of course "we" (meaning the TN ANG's 118th Airlift Wing) were deployed to King Faisal Royal Saudi Air Force Base right outside the city of Tabuk (in NW Saudi Arabia).

We were only about 150 miles SE of Jerusalem, so the chaplains decided to have us face NW so we were facing Jerusalem. We ended the Sunrise service with the song, "Because HE Lives." :jesus:

That was about a dozen years ago, but having an Easter Sunrise Service in an Islamic-controlled country is something that's hard to forget. :thumbs:

 

[gb93433]

Building take up space and cost money to maintain even if they are not used and it they are used. Churches that use their space for numerous activities find they have a building being used a lot but the roof wears out at the same rate as if it were not used. Some town do not have a gym and the church does so it becomes the place where kids can go to be with one another. Pews are expensive and do not work well in a gym.