Religion is the new rock ‘n’ roll in one Nottingham church – which has its own stage, band, and a licensed bar.
Eight hundred worshippers turned up at the inaugural service of the Trent Vineyard Church.
They helped celebrate its move to the �2.25m Blue Warehouse on Easter Park, Lenton Lane, and anyone expecting draughty spires and uncomfortable pews was in for a surprise.
Worshippers entering the building are met by the sight of a stage, complete with electric guitars and drum kits ready for the next service, a fully licensed bar, leather couches and halogen lighting.
It is one of 70 parishes of the UK Vineyard Church Movement, an evangelical Christian church, which has attracted unusually large congregations.
The Pastor, John Wright, 43, of West Bridgford, does not wear the familiar robes and dog collar of the Church of England, but instead sports jeans and trainers.
He said: “The church in this country is massively not attracting people in their 20s and 30s and we are very keen to change that.
“Our aim is to remove as many barriers as we can for people – from babies to old folk – and to make the church culturally relevant to them.”
,,,”We are not presenting a watered-down version of the Christian faith, we are just presenting it in a relaxed user-friendly environment.”
[Full Story]
