In this day

of innovative approaches to doing church, people are getting pretty creative

in their attempts to reach people.

Have you heard

of the drive-in church? Just call it the Church of the Divine Convenience

for worshippers who never have to leave their vehicles.

At Woodland

Drive-in Church in Grand Rapids, some folks get out of their cars and

lean against the doors, talking softly with others before the service

begins. Greeters stand at the front of the driveway, handing out programs,

prayer cards and offering envelopes through car windows as worshippers

are ushered into the asphalt sanctuary. The congregation faces an enclosed

podium, outfitted with an organ. Through rain, snow, sleet and even hail,

they have come over the years to worship in the privacy of their own cars.

Some say this is a "cool" church, especially in winter.

Then there's

the inflatable church. It's got its own steeple and pews and could float

if necessary. A moveable blowup structure billed as the world's first

inflatable church welcomed its first worshippers in May. Resembling a

giant, bouncy castle, it holds around 60 people standing and comes complete

with inflatable candles and "stained glass" windows.

The church,

which measures 47 feet from floor to steeple, 47 feet long and 25 feet

wide, made its debut at the Christian Resources Exhibition at Sandown

Park Exhibition Center in Esher, west of London. The church, created six

years ago by businessman Michael Gill of Southampton in southern England,

costs around $34,700 to buy and $3,200 a day to rent. Some feel this church

is full of hot air.

Then there's

St. Patrick's Church in Boston, where, several years ago, a runaway truck

punched a big hole in the wall. Minister Walter Waldron took a light-hearted

view as he surveyed the damage: "When anyone comes to church in this

day and age, we're delighted!"

There's no

perfect church because churches are filled with imperfect people. But

church means a lot because it's where God's people gather on God's day

to worship, serve, and support one another. Not only does worship recharge

our spiritual batteries once a week, but at church we connect with caring

people who support us, pray for us and stand with us in life's tough times.

Through the experience of connecting with others and connecting with God,

we draw strength to keep going and to face the challenges of another week.

Going to church

helps to keep us focused and helps us remember what's really important

in life. As some folks say, the week's just not the same when they miss

church.

(Dr. David

L. Chancey is pastor of McDonough Road Baptist in Fayetteville.)

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