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Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Evil, Evil Megachurches
There's a plight on American society... something so evil; something so vile; something so harmful that the Scottsdale, AZ city council is considering finally putting their foot down. This hideous plague on society? Why, the megachurch, of course.
According to a complaint made by citizens in Scottsdale, here are the main problems with megachurches:
1. Increased traffic
2. Decline in property values
3. Alterations in character and asthetics
4. Negative impact on the quality of life
5. Parking causes conflicts with neighbors
Seems like having a church in a community used to be viewed as a 'good' thing.
If adopted, city officials would have to consider the character of the neighborhood before allowing the use. Permits would be needed for any "assembly," such as private schools and recreational centers, colleges and community buildings. The city could restrict activities and revoke the permit if those restrictions are violated.
A separate petition asked that Scottsdale allow no off-site parking for churches and schools and that no new parking lots be allowed until the issue is resolved. Overflow parking has led to conflicts with neighbors.
To that, I say "waaaaaa".
Mind you, this action is in response to a petition from two residents who contend that some neighborhoods are bearing more than their share of large churches and the problems that come with them.
If they were protesting nuclear plants, toxic waste dumps, a jail, or the evil Walmart or Costco, maybe I would have a little more sympathy.
In my county right now, people are protesting a chicken farm. Yes, a chicken farm. (Evidently they bring in millions of chickens and the smell, run-off, and side-effects are huge for the environment and local land-owners.)
Hey, I have an idea... maybe we could say we'll hold church services for the chickens; then more people would be against the whole chicken farm idea.
And all this disgust over megachurches is, well, for the birds.
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.
Todd
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April 19, 2006 in Trends in Today's Church | Permalink
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Comments
This is why churches need to work overtime to try and coexist with their community. More than coexist... BENEFIT the community! Just like God promised Abraham that his seed would bless the whole world, the church should be a blessing to those outside the faith who live near our buildings.
I used to live near a mega-church that had this problem, and another one was moving to my town (a korean-speaking one actually) as well. Communities don't want us anymore. Sometimes I think by not trying to bless those around us, we've brought this on ourselves... Not always, but sometimes...
Posted by: Peter Hamm | Apr 19, 2006 7:36:50 AM
I wonder if the church paid property taxes if Scottdales would be in such an up roar? How many businesses could start because of the volume of traffic generated by the church? Isn't the nature of people complain about anything and everything? How does a church decrease property values in Arizona of all places?
A chicken farm? Was it there before anything else came, and if so did they not see it? If it came in later who thought that was a good idea?
Posted by: Kent | Apr 19, 2006 8:53:25 AM
Do you think the complainer would have the same issues with a multi-site church? Or would he find some other reason why they should be disallowed?
Posted by: Chris Cree | Apr 19, 2006 9:13:20 AM
Makes one wonder who the 2 residents are that could get such action as a response to their petition.
Just wondering aloud...
Posted by: Camey | Apr 19, 2006 9:13:41 AM
Sometimes the cranky and powerful are the same.
Posted by: Kent | Apr 19, 2006 9:22:20 AM
So, which came first the "chicken or the mega-church?"
Do these people live near the sites they are protesting, or are they like the father without custody in CA sueing the school for the pledge of allegiance... My skepticism is deep when people complain.
WE need to be careful in our witness when we consider our reputation in the community. However, I have met too many who yell from ignorance and just need a new reason to complain.
Posted by: Jeff | Apr 19, 2006 9:35:49 AM
Oh wow, this seem extreme. Though personally I'm not a big fan of the mega-church experience on issues of style and taste I have always thought most of them do some things very well and I've always in amazed at their parking set-up. Usually very considerate to their surroundings and taking great care to have beautiful campuses (complete with ponds, fountains, walking paths, etc.) I have often thought that I'd love to have a mega-church in my backyard. Additionally, mega-church hospitality tends to be outstanding with wonderful training and intentional decisions that make the environment welcoming before you even get there.
It does make me wonder if perhaps this particular church was less than neighborly to leave such a negative taste in the mouths of their community. I serve in a church community worshiping in a land-locked space near down town in the arts/gay community of Houston and parking is a huge problem. Our 20 car parking lot close to the building is reserved for mothers with small children and the only other parking is either on the street or at two different off-site lots. The residents around us have complained at times about cars parked right on corners, in front of or in drive ways, in front of fire hydrants, and just that there is no street parking left when there is something going on at the church. We have gone to great pains to encourage our worshipers to stop breaking the law (we promise to call a tow truck after warning illegal parkers) and to utilize the off-site parking and shuttle so we can be considerate to our neighbors. We have also made our building available, free of charge, for community events (civic association, etc.) and regularly host events that appeal to our neighbors (coffee shop, swing dance, poetry night, etc.) and a quick look through the neighborhood newsletter will show that our space is becoming a central meeting point for the community. Building relationships with the community is something we feel is part of our witness, we don't want to ruin that by being rude in our parking. Oh, and our pastors model this with no reserved spaces for them close to the building but walking the four blocks from the off-site parking. Walking a little to be a faithful witness is worth it to us.
Posted by: Jessica | Apr 19, 2006 10:49:45 AM
Way to be a model of Christian grace and character, Jessica. I think it's great that you have parking reserved for those who actually need to park close, and that you work hard to make sure that those who park on residential streets are considerate.
In his book, "Velvet Elvis," Rob Bell talks about how when they first started, people were not being gracious as they were exiting the parking lot. So at the close of one of the services he said, "If you are here and you aren't a Christian, we are thrilled to have you in our midst. We want you to feel right at home. But if you are here and you are a Christian, and you can't even be a Christian in the parking lot, please don't go out into the world and tell people you're a Christian. You'll screw it up for the rest of us. And by the way, we could use your seat."
I love that! Stressing that being a Christian needs to extend to something as mundane as leaving the parking lot is huge, and it communicates to those who don't yet know Christ that we're serious about living for Jesus all the time, not just at the service.
You may consider mentioning that violating parking laws is also violating the Words of the one we claim to love.
Brian
Posted by: Brian La Croix | Apr 19, 2006 11:43:23 AM
"What came first, the chicken or the mega-church?"
Dang, Jeff...you kill me!!!
Ben E
Posted by: Ben E. | Apr 19, 2006 12:25:29 PM
>"But if you are here and you are a Christian, and you can't even be a Christian in the parking lot, please don't go out into the world and tell people you're a Christian. You'll screw it up for the rest of us. And by the way, we could use your seat."
[sarcasm] What amazing pastoral sensitivity! There's not a hint of self-righteousness there![/sarcasm]
(And yes, I understand the irony of calling somebody else's statement self-righteous.)
Instead of telling people not to come back if they're going to screw up while in their car, perhaps an attitude like Paul, who called himself the chief of sinners, would be better and would inspire genuine repentance and change in the congregation. I'm glad that Jesus died for me when I "screw it up for the rest of" y'all.
Posted by: Rusty Shackleford | Apr 19, 2006 12:58:21 PM
Rusty,
I see your point, but do you see his?
His point is that hypocrisy is not welcome there. If Christlike behavior cannot extend to the parking lot, then we've got problems that go deeper than the parking lot!
I would use his words in a heart-beat if it were an issue here(in fact, for the sake of full disclosure, I have said similar words to my congregation, and no one's complaining.), because I see way too many people who live for Jesus for an hour on Sunday, but in their hurry to get home for the game, they cut people off, speed through residential zones, or whatever.
Is this Christlike? In this case, pushing for Christlikeness is a bigger issue than offending people who call themselves Christians but drive like the devil.
His call is for consistency, and I say, Amen!
Brian
Posted by: Brian La Croix | Apr 19, 2006 1:27:50 PM
Todd,
Sorry for getting off-topic. If anyone wants to continue the discussion, they can e-mail me at P_B@aberdeenwesleyan.org.
Brian
Posted by: Brian La Croix | Apr 19, 2006 1:39:58 PM
The Problem.............
Times have changed... Use to be a neighbor was a neighbor and was friendly about things.. Not anymore. Every thing is about Me & Mine... Then you have this:
1) illegal immigrants are a large number there.
2) Too many liberals.
3) The ACLU
4) To many tree huggers and animal lovers. That chicken has rights, oh that poor chicken. Poor my eye honey he/she tasted pretty darn good going down... See what I mean... I mean think about it... KFC came under fire several years ago... I can remember 30 years ago people where nothing like this. Save a chicken.
Solution..........
5. Looks horrible...
1. Send them all back and become legal.
2. Couldn't tell ya on this one.
3. Disban them... They are causing to much trouble and they are nothing but Communist.
4. Move. Buy you some clothes pins. Buy a respirator. Buy a stick up. Buy you some air freshners.
5. Then don't look at.
To many complainers in this nation..
Posted by: Clairvoyant 1 | Apr 19, 2006 8:21:14 PM
All this fuss generated by complaints from two residents? Two?
There were some local residents in Dallas protesting and working to get adult/sex oriented busineses removed from their neiborhood. Businesses that had been there awhile. And they had lots of support from the community. But they were justified and there were whole neighborhoods of them, not just two complaintants.
But churches? Even megachurches, with the associated traffic and parking issues? How do the City officials even justify considering action against churches?
Tell those two residents to move to any town right outside an Army base, with it's assortment of businesses catering to single GI's and then see if they complain about megachurches in their neighborhood.
Posted by: DanielR | Apr 20, 2006 12:58:09 PM
Microsoft and Peter Jackson postpone the making of a film based on the Halo video game after backers pull out.
Posted by: Juan Ramey | Jun 22, 2007 2:42:44 AM
