Remove the Pews

When I saw the title, I wanted to shout from the rooftop: Its time!Donna Schaper makes a compelling case for clearing space, botharchitecturally and in our ministry journeys. This little book is a giftto a tired and caged-in church!Paul Nixon, author of Multi and I Refuse to Lead a Dying ChurchPastor Donna Schaper takes the long view of religious institutions in an ageof rapid change. The question of who the Church is todayand how itemploys its buildingsis connected to the Churchs past identities andfuture hopes. Remove the Pews offers concrete suggestions on howcongregations can open their church spaces to revive their spirits.From welcoming local dance troupes to serving undocumented persons,Schaper demonstrates how the imagination is the only limit to what churchbuildings mean and can do. Her meditations on community use of sacredspaces serve as a springboard for a broader examination of how the churchmight be renewed for the modern age. The pews are only the beginning!