New Wine in Old Cinemas

One of the highlights of a recent walk around Woolwich was a large, 1930s-style building with large white letters stuck to it:

Christ Faith Tabernacle Cathedral

The tall, chimney-like tower had the word cathedral written upon it, too, so even those across the Thames at North Woolwich might behold its sacred dedication. 

Now I like going around a good cathedral or two, but, alas, it was all locked up, but not for shyness or want of confidence on the part of its managers. A gigantic, triple sized billboard was stuck to one of the outer walls, and large posters hung by the main entrance, much as a cinema advertises the latest film releases. Indeed, I would wager a shilling that the building used to be the local picture house. On these posters appeared a pair of good looking, older people in a wide variety of outfits. They identified them as Apostle Alfred T.B. Williams, BA, LLB, LLM, MCIARB, the Presiding Bishop of Christ Faith Tabernacle, accompanied by Revd (Mrs) P. Oma Williams, Assistant General Overseer of the Christ Faith Tabernacle.

The dress of this smiling, power couple varied from poster to poster (an Anglican bishop in one, a Catholic Cardinal in another, a besuited Pentecostal potentate in a third) but the same warm smile characterised them all. Apostle and Revd (Mrs) Williams have spent ’35 years impacting nations and transforming lives’, and pictures of a huge auditorium and magnificent stage support the bold claim. ‘Schools of Ministry’ and a ‘Divine Intervention Convention’ were both advertised, though they were held back in February, so I was sadly too late to attend and receive some much needed transformation of my own.

If this transformative excitement is not enough for the good people of Woolwich to bear, there is another church, literally across the road from the Christ Faith Tabernacle Cathedral; their respective worshippers could wave to each other from across the tarmac. This one is called New Wine Church, and, bizarrely, it too appears to meet in a splendid art deco cinema or theatre:

We are here to serve you

-explained the large, vinyl sign. There were no leaders’ names advertised here, just pictures of happy and laughing, good-looking young people, who have presumably been recipients of this church’s benevolent services. There may have been a hint of relative modesty about this signage, but it went on to say:

Explore life transforming services and programmes tailored for you, your family and your future.

Okay, so a little less brash than the competition across the street, and less of a focus on big personalities, but there is still something missing. Now then, what is it? Ah yes: Jesus. Two large churches, successful and wealthy enough to own or hire such impressive venues in London, but alas, I read nothing about the Saviour of the world. One offers an illustrious apostle and his revered partner (Mrs), while the other offers tailor made 'programmes' to be explored.

Seriously? Massive billboards and banners seen by thousands each day, but no talk of of sin’s remission, of God’s grace, of Christ’s shed blood, or the wonderful hope He brings?

If your church bought an old cinema and now puts on a good show, the building's useage never changed. If your church is more interested in talking about itself, or its leaders, or even you, and not Jesus Christ, it is time to walk out before the credits.