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Is your church locked?

Discussion in 'Polls Forum' started by JamieinNH, Aug 24, 2006.

?
  1. Yes

    37 vote(s)
    94.9%
  2. No

    1 vote(s)
    2.6%
  3. Other - I'll explain in my post.

    1 vote(s)
    2.6%
  1. JamieinNH

    JamieinNH New Member

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    I have often wondered about the number of churches that are locked up.

    In New England, it something that the Catholics do a better job of than most any other group, that I know of. You can go into most any Catholic church and sit in a pew and reflect with God. I have friends that are Catholics and they talk about going into the pray and ponder things happening to them.


    Why is it that we lock our churches? I would like the answers to be more than because of theft etc.. I guess, what I mean is, can't we trust God to protect our building, assets and such?

    I hardly ever lock my Jeep, or even my home for that matter. I have been "broken" into once, they went into my Jeep and took one Craftsman knife. I didn't think too much of it.. They needed that more than me, I supposed..

    So, I thought I would ask you other opinions. Why do we lock the church?


    Jamie
     
  2. LeBuick

    LeBuick New Member

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    Our Church has been broken into several times. We bought a safe to store the PA etc... when not in use. I lock the door even when I'm in the office. Just habbit I guess.
     
  3. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Not an issue of "trusting God." It's an issue of stewardship.

    We've taken our tithes and offerings and purchased expensive items to assist us as we worship. These items are appealing targets to some.

    If they are taken, and we take no steps to even make theft difficult, IMO we are being poor stewards of the money God entrusted to us.

    Many churches, including ours, have had a separate "prayer room" accessible from the outside. Our prayer room did not offer access to the rest of our building.

    Unfortunately, that room, like every other nook and cranny of our church, had to be converted into Sunday school space, so we don't have it now. (But hey...I'd rather be scrambling to make room than have lots of it!)
     
  4. LeBuick

    LeBuick New Member

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    Sounds like new building may be in the future??? :praying:
     
  5. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Yep...it's just a question of "how much can we build?"

    We've tripled in 3 1/2 years (from about 200 to over 600). Our building's capacity is about 570, packed out. We're doing 2 Bible study hours and 2 worship services, back-to-back.

    At this rate of growth, it's doubtful we can build a large enough facility the first time around.

    But am I ever ready...our youth have no place to meet, except the Sanctuary. I'm ready for a place we can hang out.
     
  6. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    Catholic churches are not locked because their religion believes that if you are in church and pay to light a candle, and look at Jesus hanging on the cross, your prayers will be heeded faster.

    I was shocked when I first went to a Baptist church and realized they locked their doors. I felt like my prayers would NEVER be heard!

    Of course, after I surrendered my life to Christ, I knew that He was in ME, not in a building...
     
  7. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    Are you kidding, we have a lot of new sound and video equipment, not to mention office equipment and computers. We don't want our building vandalized and spray painted.
    It has nothing to do with trusting God, or are you going to say those churches that have been vandalized or burned down did not trust God? Bad things happen, even to people who trust God.
     
  8. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    I agree with Sue, God is not in a building, He is in me, I can pray or reflect on Him and his word anywhere.
     
  9. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    Don't Catholic Churches often have people staying there?
     
  10. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Ever try to make an insurance claim when a building is not secured?

    There is usually someone around when the RC Churches are left open in my area.....a confessional is useless without a priest available to hear it.

    Personally, I think it is irresponsible not to lock a vacant church building.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  11. mcdirector

    mcdirector Active Member

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    I said other because the building itself is huge. It has a V shape. Doors on the outer perimeter that run along two busy streets are locked except before, during, and after services. Doors on the inner perimeter (or the inside of the V are left unlocked from about 6 am until 10 pm most days.
     
  12. Jack Matthews

    Jack Matthews New Member

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    The church building is locked up at night.

    The church itself? I surely hope it isn't.
     
  13. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    Generally speaking, it is assinine.
     
  14. JamieinNH

    JamieinNH New Member

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    I am not sure I follow you... Are you saying it is asinine to lock up the church, or to not lock the church?

    Jamie
     
  15. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    While I may be in the bible belt, the true meaning of that has long vanished. Too many youth think it is cool to vandalise churches and steal whatever they can get their hands on.
     
  16. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    We're locked up with an alarm. We have numerous sound systems, tons of computer equipment (hey, we have a staff of 45 right now, I think!), lots of other valuable stuff - not to mention the fact that it's a great place to hang out. As Christians, we have no need to go to a building to reach God or be closer to Him - we can do that right in the comfort of our own home. If I feel the need to 'get away' and focus on Him I can go to someplace HE made and commune there. :D

    Ann
     
  17. Melanie

    Melanie Active Member
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    Sadly most Catholic churches are locked in this country, to stop desecration, vandalism and theft
     
  18. Bro. James Reed

    Bro. James Reed New Member

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    At our former location, over 30 years, we were broken into about 10 different times. This was mostly within the last 10 years we were there. The last time they broke in, before we moved, they took pews, tables, chairs, microwaves, silverware, books, food, telephones, vaccuum, and even took a bite of the velveta cheese in the fridge. They also took the other fridge and they turned over a bookcase. Most of the large items were found at a large flea market a few blocks away the next week.

    In the 2 years we've been at the new location, they've broken in twice. Once into the kitchen/dining and once in the sanctuary (2 different buildings). Nothing was stolen either time, but they nearly bled to death before they could get out of the sanctuary. Ever door is dead bolted and have to have a key to open it. The crook broke in through a window and cut himself pretty well. There was a treail of blook from door to door before it finally went back to the window.

    Church was locked each and every time there was a break-in. We have no electronics, no gold crosses or idols, nothing more expensive than a refrigerator. You'd think they would learn that there's nothing worth taking.

    I don't know why we lock up, it doesn't seem to help.
     
  19. Hope of Glory

    Hope of Glory New Member

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    A lock won't stop a criminal, but it helps keep an honest man honest. We lock our doors. There are a lot of squatters in the area, and they generally destroy houses that they stay in.
     
  20. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Our church is locked even during weekdays, mainly because our female church secretary is often alone in the building.

    Otherwise, it's even locked when the pastor and custodian are there. Sad to say, didn't used to have to be that way.
     
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