How come christendom's churches last so long?

hoser

This thought just came to me. I look around in my community and churches of christendom are at least 100 if not 150 years old and they are still in use. So what is so wrong with the building program of the regional building committee, that the kingdom halls rarely last past 50 years and are replaced? Shoddy construction or just wanting to flip the property and make some quick cash?

jgnat

Is a church property really that attractive? How many uses can it be put? The congregations of "christendom" that I've known are both fiscally conservative and sometimes very attached to their building. I've seen a few churches expand off the old (godawful cinder block 60's equivalent of the "quick build") in one case the old sanctuary becoming a gymnasium.

I am very fond of the Catholic church in town; it is a log building, with some tasteful stained-glass windows. Catholic churches are so often a feast for the eyes.

I'm getting off-topic, aren't I?

The Kingdom Hall that sold in town is being repurposed as a medical building. The zone change it up before town council.

blondie

They adapt and adjust. The Lutheran church of years ago is not the one you find day. Others have break away groups. The Methodist Church in this area broke away over using organs for music, then years later rejoined. The Catholic Church has also adjusted over the years.

That's why the WTS has lasted from 1879 to today, 134 years, it adjusts, new light.

The Mormons have done the same;; 2 biggest I can think of was eliminating polygamy and changing the policy regarding black men in 1978.

moshe

Building new KH's is how JW gauge the smiling approval from Jehoover. Nothing gets JWs all fired up better than a KH barn raising spectacle for the public.

JWOP

I assume that, since the KH's are "quick builds", they aren't exactly structured for longetivity.

cyberjesus

i like the term... Kingdom Barn.

Mum

As jgnat says, many churches are so beautiful, it would cause a near riot to suggest tearing them down. Churches are maintained and beautified with beautiful stained glass windows, needlepoint cushions to kneel on at the altar, beautiful linens, wooden pews, beautiful flooring, and other amenities such as fellowship halls and Sunday school rooms. People get attached to these things.

As Blondie said, churches adapt to changing times as well, although not fast enough (IMHO). They are not insecure and do not need to try to impress anyone. The JW's are all about making an impression and getting attention in the weirdest ways - i.e., not by great charity, but by "great" blind sheep doing as they're told in unison.