Re: "Shut the down until they can stop disturbing.
Why do some Christians, even Apostolic Christians have such a hard time showing respect to the sinners around us? When we don’t show them respect, we set ourselves up to not be respected in return. If you ask me, these same neighbors would have just as legitimate a complaint if it was loud music coming from a tavern next door. Just because we call it worship doesn’t give us a license to disrespect others.
We have powerful worship, loud preaching and plenty of upbeat music, but I seriously doubt we will ever have these noise complaints at our church. Our building was built on one of the few pieces of land we could afford back in the 1980’s, land that was directly under the runway approach zone of a very busy Air Force Base. When they were launching alert sorties and taking off or landing in formation, the preacher would have to stop and pause his preaching until the windows stopped rattling, lol. Maybe that is the reason, as the church began to grow, that the congregation also realized the effects of “sound pollution.” Now, fast-forward 30 years, the Air Force Base closed and became a public airport. The Federal Aviation Administration did all of their noise studies and then sent engineers and contractors in to “soundproof” our building. At zero cost to us, we had additional sheetrock added to our walls, new doors, new windows, air conditioning units and sound proof ceiling tiles installed. I’m happy to say, that soundproofing works both ways and it’s been a real blessing to us and our neighbors. Of course those neighbors on each side of our building had the same soundproofing upgrades.
However, even before we had all the soundproofing upgrades, we always tried to be good neighbors to the folks living near our church. We’d show them respect by closing the windows in the summer and running the air conditioners. We have a Roland TD-12 electronic drum set so we can control the volume and not shake our neighbors out of bed. We also make it a point to keep our sound system at a reasonable level, especially on a rare late night service. We might have an electric bill that usually exceeds $300 a month, but we also have our neighbor’s respect.
Re: "Shut the down until they can stop disturbing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by acjcpastor
Why do some Christians, even Apostolic Christians have such a hard time showing respect to the sinners around us? When we don’t show them respect, we set ourselves up to not be respected in return. If you ask me, these same neighbors would have just as legitimate a complaint if it was loud music coming from a tavern next door. Just because we call it worship doesn’t give us a license to disrespect others.
We have powerful worship, loud preaching and plenty of upbeat music, but I seriously doubt we will ever have these noise complaints at our church. Our building was built on one of the few pieces of land we could afford back in the 1980’s, land that was directly under the runway approach zone of a very busy Air Force Base. When they were launching alert sorties and taking off or landing in formation, the preacher would have to stop and pause his preaching until the windows stopped rattling, lol. Maybe that is the reason, as the church began to grow, that the congregation also realized the effects of “sound pollution.” Now, fast-forward 30 years, the Air Force Base closed and became a public airport. The Federal Aviation Administration did all of their noise studies and then sent engineers and contractors in to “soundproof” our building. At zero cost to us, we had additional sheetrock added to our walls, new doors, new windows, air conditioning units and sound proof ceiling tiles installed. I’m happy to say, that soundproofing works both ways and it’s been a real blessing to us and our neighbors. Of course those neighbors on each side of our building had the same soundproofing upgrades.
However, even before we had all the soundproofing upgrades, we always tried to be good neighbors to the folks living near our church. We’d show them respect by closing the windows in the summer and running the air conditioners. We have a Roland TD-12 electronic drum set so we can control the volume and not shake our neighbors out of bed. We also make it a point to keep our sound system at a reasonable level, especially on a rare late night service. We might have an electric bill that usually exceeds $300 a month, but we also have our neighbor’s respect.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Re: "Shut the down until they can stop disturbing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by acjcpastor
Why do some Christians, even Apostolic Christians have such a hard time showing respect to the sinners around us? When we don’t show them respect, we set ourselves up to not be respected in return. If you ask me, these same neighbors would have just as legitimate a complaint if it was loud music coming from a tavern next door. Just because we call it worship doesn’t give us a license to disrespect others.
We have powerful worship, loud preaching and plenty of upbeat music, but I seriously doubt we will ever have these noise complaints at our church. Our building was built on one of the few pieces of land we could afford back in the 1980’s, land that was directly under the runway approach zone of a very busy Air Force Base. When they were launching alert sorties and taking off or landing in formation, the preacher would have to stop and pause his preaching until the windows stopped rattling, lol. Maybe that is the reason, as the church began to grow, that the congregation also realized the effects of “sound pollution.” Now, fast-forward 30 years, the Air Force Base closed and became a public airport. The Federal Aviation Administration did all of their noise studies and then sent engineers and contractors in to “soundproof” our building. At zero cost to us, we had additional sheetrock added to our walls, new doors, new windows, air conditioning units and sound proof ceiling tiles installed. I’m happy to say, that soundproofing works both ways and it’s been a real blessing to us and our neighbors. Of course those neighbors on each side of our building had the same soundproofing upgrades.
However, even before we had all the soundproofing upgrades, we always tried to be good neighbors to the folks living near our church. We’d show them respect by closing the windows in the summer and running the air conditioners. We have a Roland TD-12 electronic drum set so we can control the volume and not shake our neighbors out of bed. We also make it a point to keep our sound system at a reasonable level, especially on a rare late night service. We might have an electric bill that usually exceeds $300 a month, but we also have our neighbor’s respect.
Well said.
When church becomes about us, we miss why we are a church. We should be doing all we can to win people over to us. Wonder how many unbelievers will darken the doors to this place as result ofntheir "stand". The church might win the argument, but lose respect in the community. In that case, they lose.
__________________
When a newspaper posed the question, "What's Wrong with the World?" G. K. Chesterton reputedly wrote a brief letter in response: "Dear Sirs: I am. Sincerely Yours, G. K. Chesterton." That is the attitude of someone who has grasped the message of Jesus.
Re: "Shut them down until they can stop disturbing
After 10:00, church should hold it down!! What of folks in countries where they worship underground??? Worship can be done well much quieter.
However, the city crossed the line on the Sunday morning citation!!!
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
Re: "Shut them down until they can stop disturbing
Quote:
Originally Posted by crakjak
After 10:00, church should hold it down!! What of folks in countries where they worship underground??? Worship can be done well much quieter.
However, the city crossed the line on the Sunday morning citation!!!
Re: "Shut the down until they can stop disturbing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by acjcpastor
Why do some Christians, even Apostolic Christians have such a hard time showing respect to the sinners around us? When we don’t show them respect, we set ourselves up to not be respected in return. If you ask me, these same neighbors would have just as legitimate a complaint if it was loud music coming from a tavern next door. Just because we call it worship doesn’t give us a license to disrespect others.
We have powerful worship, loud preaching and plenty of upbeat music, but I seriously doubt we will ever have these noise complaints at our church. Our building was built on one of the few pieces of land we could afford back in the 1980’s, land that was directly under the runway approach zone of a very busy Air Force Base. When they were launching alert sorties and taking off or landing in formation, the preacher would have to stop and pause his preaching until the windows stopped rattling, lol. Maybe that is the reason, as the church began to grow, that the congregation also realized the effects of “sound pollution.” Now, fast-forward 30 years, the Air Force Base closed and became a public airport. The Federal Aviation Administration did all of their noise studies and then sent engineers and contractors in to “soundproof” our building. At zero cost to us, we had additional sheetrock added to our walls, new doors, new windows, air conditioning units and sound proof ceiling tiles installed. I’m happy to say, that soundproofing works both ways and it’s been a real blessing to us and our neighbors. Of course those neighbors on each side of our building had the same soundproofing upgrades.
However, even before we had all the soundproofing upgrades, we always tried to be good neighbors to the folks living near our church. We’d show them respect by closing the windows in the summer and running the air conditioners. We have a Roland TD-12 electronic drum set so we can control the volume and not shake our neighbors out of bed. We also make it a point to keep our sound system at a reasonable level, especially on a rare late night service. We might have an electric bill that usually exceeds $300 a month, but we also have our neighbor’s respect.
At zero cost to the church, the city of Columbia should offer to sound proof this church that has been at this location since the current city board was possibly in grade school and decades before the houses were built whose occupants want to complain about the noise.
This church has already tried to be good neighbors, but now the police are interrupting their Sunday morning services to issue a ticket. You make no mention of this in your response and you imply to place the entire blame for this situation on this chruch. You are mistaken to do so.
The city approved for the building of townhomes less than 10 feet away from this church and the current problems are a reflection of Columbia's poor zoning judgment, not a reflection of a church's lack of respect for their community.
In fact, as it looks right now, the church is actually losing this battle.
They need a good lawyer.
__________________
"The choices we make reveal the true nature of our character."
Last edited by Jermyn Davidson; 12-13-2012 at 09:50 AM.
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