Pastor and author Donna Schaper takes the long view of religious institution in an age of rapid change. The question of who the church is today—and how it uses its buildings—is connected to the church's past identities and its future hopes. Schaper is both concrete and provocative in her examination of how the church might be renewed for the modern age.|

"When I saw the title, I wanted to shout from the rooftop: It's time! Donna Schaper makes a compelling case for clearing space, both architecturally and in our ministry journeys. This little book is a gift to a tired and caged-in church!"—Paul Nixon, author of Multi and I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church

Pastor Donna Schaper takes the long view of religious institutions in an age of rapid change. The question of who the Church is today—and how it employs its buildings—is connected to the Church's past identities and future hopes. Remove the Pews offers concrete suggestions on how congregations 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 church buildings mean and can do. Her meditations on community use of sacred spaces serve as a springboard for a broader examination of how the church might be renewed for the modern age. The pews are only the beginning!