First Baptist Church in Dallas just announced plans Sunday to build a $130 million state-of-the-art campus in the middle of the downtown Dallas arts district. For more info and to watch a news cast of this, click here.
The reason I’m posting this here is to find out how you think college age people might respond to this. College age people in Dallas might think one way and those living in a different region could think differently. Church culture is vastly different in different parts of the country. And I think this is necessary to some degree.
So, would this be a turn-off for college age people in your area? Or, would this get them excited?
To be clear, I am not interested in your opinions on whether or not you think this is a good idea – that can quickly become a fruitless discussion. I’m only asking what college age people might think. So, what do you think? Potential turn-off or turn-on?
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Chuck Bomar is pastor of Colossae Church in Portland, Oregon and founder of CollegeLeader (
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Definitely (in general) a turn-OFF to college students in our area (Pacific Northwest, specifically Portland area), but perhaps slightly less in our suburb than neighboring communities. Perhaps traditionally-churched students would be open; but the unchurched probably not so much.
A question, How does this new project move the church (people) towards the younger generation?
So, I just asked this question to a CU student in my office, and his first reaction was ‘why?’ ‘Why do you need a state-of-the-art facility?’ he asked.
That said, I think college people will think this is a major turn-off. The college age crowd we’re engaging with want to be a part of God’s transforming hearts and the community around us. They are passionate about the lost and broken getting an opportunity to get a glimpse of Jesus. The poor and the needy getting fed and cared for.
They’re interested in not just going to church, but being the church.
If that what this 130M project is looking to accomplish, then sure, go for it. But is that really necessary? Interestingly enough, our church is undergoing a building project. There are a lot of reasons as to why we need to do this, most specifically that our lease for our meeting spot is going to expire and we’re running out of options. Additionally, we’re scrambling looking for buildings that may be able to be purchased as to minimize our costs so that we can keep doing what we all want to do –be the church.
Our college-age crowd have bought-in to this proces because they know our budget (nowhere near 130M), how much goes back out into the community, and that it’s not about us.
Jeff, i agree with you that college age people in the NW would be turned off for sure.
Serban, thanks for your comment. I’m glad you were able to actually ask a student!