Coe said his organization has partnered with Southern Baptist churches across the USA and Canada in forming churches in non-traditional spaces. “As evangelicals, we don’t believe the building is the church, the people are the church,” Coe said. “The building itself has taken on less importance.”

Ron Williams is the pastor of Church at the GYM in Sanford, Fla. As the Baptist church’s name implies, Williams’ congregation meets in a gym.

Williams says the goal is to remove the “stained-glass barriers” for people who might not be comfortable in traditional church settings.

“I think all the trappings of traditional religion can make it difficult for people to start coming,” he said. “You can invite someone, and they will say, ‘I don’t have any clothes to wear to church.’ ”

To make people feel more comfortable, Williams wears jeans. In the warm Florida climate, some members wear shorts. Other clothing types, from urban wear to biker gear, also are welcome.

Sanford native Sandy Adcox, 38, had not been to church in 18 years before she attended Church at the GYM last March. She hasn’t missed a service since.

“I’ve never in my life felt more comfortable in a church,” she said. “It’s so warm and welcoming.”

Comfortable is a theme that’s becoming common among churches taking advantage of new, non-traditional spaces. Across the country, churches are springing up in unexpected locations: movie theaters, skating rinks, strip malls and old warehouses, among others.

Aaron Coe, vice president for mobilization for the North America Missions Board, said there are several factors contributing to these new churches, including a move away from traditionalism and the economic advantages of leasing space instead of building a church.

“We’ve seen everything from art galleries to schools,” he said. “Schools and movie theaters are probably the most common. There is definitely a trend, and I think it’s one that’s here to stay.”

They may not have steeples or stained glass, but the non-traditional churches say they are finding success tapping into a segment of society that may otherwise have been lost. At these churches, attendees often are greeted with coffee and doughnuts. Rather than organs, church music is more likely to be the tune of guitars.

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